Thursday, April 01, 2010
School Choice Advocate
The School Choice Movement and the Courts
Even as School Choice Ohio empowers parents with information about their own education options, a concerted effort is being made to empower them to raise their voices in broader education conversations. When parents connect with other parent ambassadors and learn to share their stories, it creates a megaphone for the school choice message.
School Choice Ohio focuses on face to face interactions that have the most impact. Many parents were engaged as participants in political rallies and sent form letters to voice their support. While those are good beginning steps, parents can be engaged more authentically to make the most of their insight.
When equipped with tools, parents raise their voices in big ways. Families in key cities across the state have taken different creative approaches. Groups have marched in local parades, organized information meetings, distributed flyers at community events, spoken at conferences, and met with community leaders to build awareness of Ohio's three voucher programs.
Ambassadors are also involved in policy conversations. In 2008, concerned about budget challenges to the EdChoice Scholarship, families started working to protect the scholarship. They met with legislators, sent letters describing the transformations they have seen in their children, and hosted legislators on tours of their schools.
In less than six months, more than 100 ambassadors connected with dozens of the state's most important legislators to share their Ed- Choice stories. Parents were thrilled to see their scholarship programs survive one of the most difficult budget years in recent history.
The most important voice and involvement in a child's education is a parent's. As families are empowered to speak up, they are making their voices heard and making an impact for their own children and the children of Ohio.
