Historic Victory for School Choice!

Just moments ago, school choice legislation was approved in the SC House of Representatives by a margin of 65 to 49. This historic passage approves legislation helping low-income and disabled students attend independent schools.

“Parents have the most information and best motivation to make decisions for their own children,” explained Representative Eric Bedingfield (R-Greenville), one of the bill’s chief sponsors. The plan supports low-income students and children with special educational needs through privately funded scholarships. Scholarship donors would be eligible for income tax credits. Modest tax deductions for families who homeschool their children or pay out of pocket for independent schools are also part of the plan.
 
This is an exciting day for the many parents and activists who have spent the last ten years advocating for school choice reforms. Hopefully this decisive win will produce even more positive momentum as the bill heads to the SC Senate.
 
For years now, school choice has proven to be a cost-saving, academics-boosting component of education in states like Florida, Pennsylvania and Arizona. Today's vote shows real movement toward making those same benefits available to South Carolina's education system.
 
It is more important than ever to let your state lawmaker know you support school choice for South Carolina. Please take a moment or two, and write them at www.mysclegislator.com.