Those of us who believe every child, no matter his/her circumstances, deserves an opportunity to learn in an environment that best suits his/her individual needs and interests can rejoice in the latest news about North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship program.
The N.C. Supreme Court says the state can commence administrative preparations for the Opportunity Scholarship Program while it considers an appeal from a lower court’s order that ruled the program unconstitutional.
“The State Education Assistance Authority may proceed with all preliminary administrative steps necessary to prepare for the 2015-16 academic year,” the Supreme Court’s order says. However, the court stopped short of allowing it to actually distribute funds for next year’s scholarships. Distribution had been scheduled to start Aug. 15, 2015.
“We are encouraged by the Supreme Court’s order granting our petition and allowing the Opportunity Scholarship Program to move forward,” said Renee Flaherty, an Institute for Justice attorney representing parents of Opportunity Scholarship recipients. “This means that the program can continue without disruption so that families can apply for scholarships and will receive them for the 2015-16 academic rear, if we prevail on appeal.”
“This is excellent news for the thousands of families who missed the opportunity to participate in the program’s first year and are eager for an educational option that best fits their needs,” said Karen Duquette, vice president of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, which supports the voucher program. “Not only will this allow new families to apply for the Opportunity Scholarship Program, but the Supreme Court has already showed a strong sign by allowing existing scholarship recipients to continue on the scholarship this year, which is hopefully a good indicator about the future of the program for next year and beyond.”
While this is good news, we also recognize that the entrenched Big Education monopoly that wants to take away this opportunity from low-income kids is engaged in a fierce legal battle to protect the status quo system. We must continue our fight against the progressives and their Democratic allies to ensure that these children are not trapped in schools that fail to meet their needs.
