Gov. Fallin urges legislature to pass ESA program

The American Federation for Children, the nation’s voice for educational choice, applauds Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin for her support of innovative school choice programs and commitment to educating every child in her state in the way that best suits their individual needs.
During her State of the State address this afternoon, Gov. Fallin said she is “100 percent supportive of education savings accounts” and encourages legislators to send her a bill to “give students and parents a better chance for educational success.”
“Thank you, Governor Fallin, for your strong leadership on education and your commitment to educating every Oklahoma child in the way that best prepares them for the future,” said Betsy DeVos, Chairman of the American Federation for Children. “We would like to encourage the legislature to send Gov. Fallin a bill creating a bold education savings account program to serve children and give them the ability to truly customize their education.”
Oklahoma currently has two school choice programs in the state – the Equal Opportunity Education Scholarships program and the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship for Students with Disabilities program. The state’s special needs program is currently in litigation after a lower court ruled it unconstitutional, however, the state’s attorney general is committed to defending the program.
If created, Oklahoma would be the sixth state with an innovative education savings account or ESA program, which allows traditional public education funds to be used for various educational expenses allowing for total individualization of a child’s education.