Yesterday I attended the House Select Committee on the Education of Students with Disabilities. Rep. Paul Stam gave an overview of a bill that would allow families of some special needs students a state tax credit if they took their child to a private school.Of course the usual suspect, North Carolina Association of Educators, sent letters to the committee members opposing any type of tax credits for families wishing other educational options. Equating this to vouchers and the whole school choice movement, which they fiercely oppose.
A mother passionately told the committee of her family?s struggle to get an appropriate education for their five-year-old son. This tax credit option would allow the family to attend a school specialized for her son?s disability, and save the system thousands of dollars. A win-win for everyone, except those who want to keep families hostage in the government system.
As I sat in the Legislative Office Building the sober news of the father of the school choice movement, Milton Friedman, passing away was left on my cell phone.  My heart mourned the reality of an icon passing, but I realized the meeting I attended while he was dying was continuing his dream.
Dr. Friedman passed away at 94 years old, what a life and a legacy! I never personally met Dr. Friedman, but have been forever touched by his commitment to see the monopoly of government education come to an end.
Inspired by his passion and his perseverance in spite of overwhelming odds from the GOMs (Gatekeepers of Mediocrity), his dream of educational freedom will continue, no matter the cost, no matter how long.
God bless you Milton Friedman!