Approved– Senate Bill 601, the Georgia Education Freedom Act

by Buzz Brockway | Mar 11, 2022

Approved– Senate Bill 601, the Georgia Education Freedom Act

The Georgia Senate Education and Youth Committee has approved Senate Bill 601, the Georgia Education Freedom Act, by a 6-4 vote.

The bill would create Promise Scholarships, offering Georgia families up to $6,000 a year for any approved education expense, such as private school tuition, tutoring, homeschool curriculum, virtual classes, college classes, therapies (for kids with special needs), technology, etc.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “Promise Scholarships step far beyond a typical voucher by fully putting parents in the driver’s seat when it comes to their child’s education,” said Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy. “The funds could be used for private-school tuition, but there is added flexibility depending on each family’s unique needs, extending to paying for things like tutoring, specialized therapies, or homeschool co-ops. Passing Promise Scholarships would put Georgia at the forefront nationally of giving all children the opportunity for a great education.”

Opponents of school choice in Georgia Senate exercise it in their own families | The Lion

by Corey Burres | Mar 10, 2022

Opponents of school choice in Georgia Senate exercise it in their own families | The Lion

Georgia lawmaker Jodi Lott has a quick and easy answer for why she supports school choice.

“Because it already exists,” the Republican state representative told The Lion. “School choice exists every single day for the wealthy. Sadly, most Democrats and some Republicans are fighting to stop the less fortunate from having those same options.”…

The Georgia Center for Opportunity, a nonprofit that promotes school choice, hailed a Senate committee’s approval of SB 601 on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, members of both political parties have a track record of practicing ‘choice for me but not for thee’ — sending their own kids to private schools while denying that same access to lower-income families,” Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy at GCO, said in a statement to The Lion. “It’s sad but true. The bottom line is that underserved kids are suffering because they don’t have access to the same opportunities available to wealthier kids. Programs like Promise Scholarships would break down those barriers and create better equity in education.”

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Public policy expert explains education voucher bills | Access WDUN

by Corey Burres | Feb 27, 2022

Public policy expert explains education voucher bills | Access WDUN

Two bills proposed in the Georgia state legislature, House Bill 60 and 999, would give selected families a $6,000 subsidy to apply towards homeschooling, private school tuition or tutors. However, some parents and educators think that these bills will divert money from public education.

Buzz Brockway, the vice president of public policy at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, spoke on WDUN’s “Newsroom” to explain the purpose and need for House Bill 60 and 999.

“The idea is that the money should follow the child and parents can direct that,” Brockway said. “These two bills would give parents that opportunity to use them for things like private or homeschool tuition. Parents of special needs children might be able to have some additional therapy or tutoring for other parents. It puts the parents in control of the money that is spent on their child’s behalf.”…

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Education Rally: Access to More High-Quality Education Options

by Buzz Brockway | Feb 22, 2022

Education Rally: Access to More High-Quality Education Options

Join other parents and community leaders on Liberty Plaza to spread the message that it is time for change in education

Today, hundreds of parents, families, and advocates will come together for a rally at noon on Liberty Plaza at the Georgia State Capitol to voice their support for more educational options through Promise Scholarships.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “The time for Georgia lawmakers to act is right now. Already, 23 other states have passed legislation in recent months to create or expand educational opportunity for their families,” said Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy. “Our state must follow their lead by passing Promise Scholarships, which are a huge leap in the right direction to put kids first.”

New Research: School Students Lag Behind in Literacy Almost Two Years Into the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Buzz Brockway | Feb 17, 2022

New Research: School Students Lag Behind in Literacy Almost Two Years Into the COVID-19 Pandemic

New research brief shows that elementary school students lag behind in literacy almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic

The mid-school-year assessment concluded that students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade are the furthest behind compared to their pre-pandemic counterparts. Black and Hispanic students are bearing the brunt of those learning losses, with the literacy gap between minority students and white students larger than before the pandemic.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “Count this report as yet another entry in a long line of research studies showing the devastation of learning loss due to school shutdowns,” said Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy. “Georgia kids need the flexibility provided by Promise Scholarships now more than ever. We urge lawmakers to pass either House Bill 999 or House Bill 60 immediately. Both bills would provide up to $6,000 a year for families to choose alternatives to their locally zoned public school.”

Georgia Education Academic Innovation Subcommittee Passed House Bill 999

by Buzz Brockway | Feb 1, 2022

Georgia Education Academic Innovation Subcommittee Passed House Bill 999

The Georgia Education Academic Innovation Subcommittee passed House Bill 999

Today, the Georgia Education Academic Innovation Subcommittee passed House Bill 999, legislation that would create Promise Scholarships allowing all children to find the right fit for their education. Scholarships could be used on any approved education expense, such as private school tuition, tutoring, homeschool curriculum, virtual classes, college classes, therapies (for kids with special needs), technology, etc. H.B. 999 now goes to the full House Education Committee for consideration.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “We have been fighting alongside parents and families to create more opportunities for students to access high-quality education options. Promise Scholarships are a huge leap in the right direction to put kids first,” said Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy. “This was a true bipartisan effort and we’re glad to see lawmakers working together for the common good of children and their education.”