FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Leah Barker, 755-7292
Education Funding No Longer Business As Usual
PCE Applauds Legislature
Salt Lake City, UT — March 6, 2008 — Parents for Choice in Education applauds the Utah Legislature for their leadership in passing education reforms that put children ahead of the system.
“It’s exciting to see that it’s no longer business as usual for education funding in Utah,” said PCE Co-Chair Robyn Bagley. “While the Legislature increased education funding, they strategically directed tax dollars to benefit teachers and programs that improve student achievement.”
PCE advocated for a host of innovative reforms that the Legislature enacted, including charter school improvements, merit pay funding, differential pay, online schools, and increased teacher compensation. Specifically, PCE helped facilitate the successful passage of the Open Enrollment amendments and ongoing funding for the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship.
“Partnering with Parents for Choice in Education, we were able to expand public school choice for Utah families by getting House Bill 349 (Open Enrollment) passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support in both chambers,” said Randy Smith of the Davis Parents Association.
“While the teachers union and education establishment refuse to embrace progress and continue to cling to the status quo, we are pleased with the direction taken by our legislature this year,” said Robyn Bagley. “Their actions have shown a true commitment to improving education in Utah. Our children are the winners."
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Parents for Choice in Education is a grassroots organization that advocates quality education for every child. As the leading voice for education reform in Utah, we promote proven market solutions both within and outside the public school system.
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