EXPANSION OF OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
IS A VICTORY FOR CHILDREN

 

                                                                            

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:   Mr. Larry D. Keough
(850) 222-3803/lkeough@flacathconf.org

Tallahassee, FL (April 26, 2000) -- The judge's ruling to uphold a "stay" for the Opportunity Scholarship program to continue bodes well for children because additional students will be eligible to receive quality education of their parents' choice, said Larry Keough, associate for education of the Florida Catholic Conference.

     Although the "stay" by Judge L. Ralph Smith temporarily protects the program until the First District Court of Appeals rules this summer, Keough said it means that in June, students in failing public schools will be eligible to receive Opportunity Scholarships to attend higher performing public schools, parochial or private schools.

     "Children who have been trapped in failing public schools should be able to obtain a quality education of their parents' choice through a public-funded Opportunity Scholarship Program," Keough said.  "The program is win-win situation for children because it provides hope and opportunity for at-risk children who have been in failing schools."

     Lynn VanderWyde, parental-choice director for Florida Catholic schools, said the Opportunity Scholarship Program continues to be a success because:

• Parents of Opportunity Scholarship students are reporting they are satisfied with their children's education;

• Opportunity Scholarship students are assimilating socially and achieving academically;

• Each Opportunity Scholarship student in Catholic schools saves the state thousands of dollars, when factoring full time equivalents (FTE's), capital outlay and federal program services;

• It help to reduce class size in failing public schools;

• It has created a sense of urgency to improve lower performing public schools.

     Superintendent Jim May of the Escambia School District said practice tests at the two failing public schools in Pensacola indicate students are improving academically.  School officials in Broward County are spending millions of dollars for reduction of first grade size in low performing schools.  In Miami-Dad, schools officials reportedly are shifting $11 million in federal funds to increase intensive math and reading at schools receiving low grades and hiring 210 additional teachers to work at the 26 schools that are in jeopardy to be placed on the state's list of failing schools.  Lower performing schools also are receiving additional dollars to improve.  And, financial incentives are utilized to attract outstanding teachers to low performing schools.

     The Opportunity Scholarship Program has been the catalyst to move from the status quo to meaning educational reform that truly benefits children, VanderWyde said.