Atlanta 6/5/2015 6:55:03 PM
Georgia Center for Opportunity Announces “Freedom of School Choice” Summer Town Halls June 8-11
Free events for parents of struggling public school students to learn about School Choice benefits offered in Georgia
Parents of children who attended
public school (K-12) last year are invited to attend the “Freedom of School
Choice Summer Town Hall Meetings” happening in Clayton, Fulton and Gwinnett counties on June 8-11 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
The events are free of charge and will
include complimentary light refreshments. Georgia Center for Opportunity
and the Georgia Parents Alliance are sponsoring the events.
Each town hall meeting will
include a short film screening about the success of
current school choice programs and the need Georgia families have for
additional options. After the film, audiences will be able to pose their
questions to a panel of legislators, educators and other parents. Panelists
will include State Representative Mike
Glanton (D-HD 75), Senator Curt
Thompson (D-SD 5), Artesius Miller,
executive director of Utopian Academy for the Arts, and Elinore Trotter, principal of the Special Needs School of Gwinnett among others. Attendees will learn how
they can apply for opportunity scholarships and disability vouchers and other
programs. They will also learn about new efforts to expand school choice
through Education Savings Accounts.
“The simple fact is that even the
best schools, public or private, cannot address the needs of all students,”
said Eric Cochling, Vice President
and General Counsel at Georgia Center for Opportunity. “Parents of children
with learning or physical disabilities, those who face bullying at school, or
who simply need a more challenging environment feel desperate because their
children have needs that are just not being met. The problem crosses all social
and economic lines. They need help. They need choices. We want to spread the
word about the choices that are out there while pointing out the need for
more.”
Over
the past several years, Georgia lawmakers have made public funds available to
help children with learning disabilities attend schools through the Special
Needs Scholarship program. School Choice was then expanded to help children
with other needs through Tax Credit Scholarships and Charter Schools.
Unfortunately, the majority of parents remain confused about how their children
might qualify for these benefits. The Summer Town Hall series is intended to
help build awareness and educate families on these programs.
Event details:
Clayton County
Monday, June 8
6:00-7:30pm
Utopian Academy for the
Arts
Fulton County
Tuesday, June 9
6:00-7:30pm
Lefont Theatre Sandy
Springs
Gwinnett
County
Wednesday, June 10
6:00-7:30pm
Rhodes Jordan Park
The public is encouraged to get
more information and RSVP to attend the events at www.GeorgiaOpportunity.org/school-choice or by calling
404-229-1073.
