Washington Post Highlights Benigno’s Reaction to DougCo Choice Program Ruling
In a Washington Post article about the Colorado Court of Appeals ruling in favor of Douglas County’s Choice Scholarship Program, Associated Press writer Steven Paulson quoted the Education Policy Center director’s reaction to the welcome news
Amy Oliver Show: Appeals Court Brings Good News for Douglas County School Choice
Charcie Russell from Great Choice Douglas County discusses last week’s good news from the Colorado Court of Appeals that gives hope for more educational options to students and families through the school district’s innovative Choice Scholarship Program.
Appeals Court Panel Renews Dougco Families’ Hopes
The Independence Institute, Colorado’s leading pro-freedom policy voice, praised today’s decision to restore a groundbreaking school choice program previously struck down by a Denver judge.
A Scholarship Tax Credit Program for Colorado
Scholarship tax credits increase the opportunity for K-12 students to access non-public educational options. Such a tax code modification increases the incentive for persons and businesses to contribute funds to qualified non-profit scholarship granting organizations. In turn, the organizations use most of the incoming funds to assist low- and middle-income families with private school tuition expenses. Colorado policymakers should give careful consideration to providing many of the state’s families an important benefit through the adoption of scholarship tax credits.
Appeals Court Weighs Dougco Choice Program: Will Families Be Able to Give Thanks?
On November 19, the Colorado Court of Appeals heard arguments in the case of Larue v Colo State Board of Education. At issue is the Douglas County Choice Scholarship Program, unanimously adopted by the school board in March 2011, which allowed up to 500 students greater access to private education options. Cautious optimism awaits a decision coming in “due course,” probably in early 2013.
Emails Expose Dougco Union’s Voucher Opposition
In 2011, when the Douglas County Board of Education adopted a groundbreaking private school choice program, the few public comments made by local union officials expressed a measure of approval. However, two newly disclosed emails strongly suggest the same officials (paid at the time by taxpayer funds) were cheering for and coordinating with the ACLU, as the organization filed a lawsuit to shut down the program.
“Education Justice League” Sums Up Research, Points to School Choice Future
A new Education Week column signed by “nine scholars and analysts” lays out clearly what the research says about school choice. In the highest-quality studies, educational voucher and tax credit programs usually show positive, and never negative, effects. The article also reminds readers that we haven’t begun to “exhaust the potential of school choice,” which could create a dynamic market of new possibilities.
Independence Institute, Liberty on the Rocks Celebrate School Choice Week with Kids Aren’t Cars Movie
On Thursday, January 26, Liberty on the Rocks and the Independence Institute celebrated National School Choice Week by co-hosting a special event at the Independence Institute’s new Freedom Embassy in Denver. Attendees watched selected portions of the 2011 movie Kids Aren’t Cars.
Afterward, the Education Policy Center’s Pam Benigno and Ben DeGrow shared some insights [...]
Judge Enjoins Douglas County Choice Scholarship Program
On August 12, 2011, a Denver District Court judge enjoined the Douglas County Choice Scholarship Program. Douglas County School District board president John Carson discusses the injunction and the next steps for the school district and the families involved.
Education Policy Center Responds to Dougco Scholarship Injunction
Focus on the Family’s Citizen Link interviewed one of the Education Policy Center staff to get a response to the Denver District Court ruling placing an injunction on the Douglas County Choice Scholarship Program:
Ben DeGrow, an education analyst at the Independence Institute in Golden, praised the district for its backbone.
“This school district has shown remarkable [...]
