With One Call, You Can Impact the Future of Education in America

April 2011

Dear ACE Advocates for Catholic Schools,
 
A debate is raging in the United States Congress over educational access.  The DC Opportunity Scholarship, which would provide vouchers for a small number of low-income Washington, DC families to send their children to the school of their choice, recently passed in the House of Representatives.  Whether or not it will pass in the Senate is now the question.
 
Before this program was terminated in 2009, over 3,300 DC students had the opportunity to attend higher performing schools, and the results were dramatic.  A Department of Education-funded study--summarized in this issue by Professors Frabutt and Holter--found that reading scores and graduation rates significantly improved for participants.  Polls found broad support for the program amongst DC residents and parents.

An unfortunate irony of the current debate is that the people who would most benefit from this program – the children and parents of the District of Columbia – aren’t represented by a voting member of Congress.  A Senator from Illinois can make a judgment on this bill without being concerned about upsetting his constituents – or his re-election campaign.
 
The families of Washington, DC need us to be their voice! 
 
If you agree that families – regardless of their income level – should be able to choose the school that best fits their beliefs and their child’s needs, then please contact your Senators to urge them to support the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Make your voice heard, and speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves.
 
ACE Advocates – you and I – have the ability to significantly impact the future of education in the United States.  Thank you for being a part of this movement! 
 
Chuck
 
PS – If you would like to learn more about this issue, I hope you’ll join us this summer for the ACE Summer Forum on Expanding Access to Catholic Schools. We’d love to see you this summer!