Blog: Why we need educational choice

hhm1Educational choice programs across the country have successfully given students from low-income families, many of whom are
minorities, the opportunity to attend the quality school of their choice. These programs have extended life changing options to children, who otherwise would never have been able to attend a school that suits their individual needs. As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, we see the impact that educational choice has had on many Hispanic families across the country.
According to HCREO, 76% of Hispanic students are enrolled in their assigned public school, the highest enrollment of all minority groups. In addition, a quarter of the Hispanic population in the United States lives below the poverty line – meaning that many of these children are trapped in underperforming schools. The expansion of school choice programs across the country has given
Hispanic families the opportunity to send their child to the school of their choice and the ability to receive a quality education.
Not only do Hispanic Americans support educational choice programs, they also are beginning to utilize them more and more. For instance, in Indiana nearly half of school choice program participants are minorities and 19 percent are Hispanic. In states with higher Hispanic populations, this ratio is even greater. During the 2013-2014 school year, 37 percent of the participants in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program were Hispanic.
Today there are over 12.5 million Hispanic students in the United States, and each and every one of them has the right to a quality education. As the dynamics of our nation and the students in our schools shift, we must remember that we need to continue to fight to extend educational options to every child and in turn secure a brighter future to each of them.

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