The Family Foundation joined several other organizations today in releasing a survey conducted on behalf of the Friedman Foundation showing widespread support for a variety of school choice proposals.  The survey, conducted in October, shows that while Virginians support public schools, they also support education freedom and choice.

The survey results found broad support among Democrats, Republicans and Independents for tax-credit scholarship programs and school vouchers.  Democrats indicate support for tax-credit scholarships (64%) and school vouchers (53%).  They are more likely to favor rather than oppose these policies by +43 percentage points and +15 percentage points, respectively.   

Victoria Cobb, President of The Family Foundation and a member of RENEWANATION’s Advisory Board, commented:

"Interestingly, while the survey found that 62% of Virginians believe the public school system is “good” or “excellent,” when given the choice between sending their child to a public school or an alternative (private, charter or homeschooling) 54% said they would choose the alternative.  Among parents with children currently attending a public school, 40% would keep their children there while 39% would choose an alternative.  Currently, 90% of Virginia’s school children attend public schools.

Another interesting note from the survey found that younger Virginians, those just out of school or in parenting years, are more supportive of education choice than older Virginians.  In other words, those closest to the public schools are less likely to want their kids to attend them.

Not surprisingly, 65% of those surveyed also drastically underestimated how much Virginia spends to educate public school children.  While 28% believed the cost to be between $3001 and $6000 and 19% believed it to be less than $3000, the actual 2007 school year figure was nearly $12,000 per student.  It’s no wonder that polls show Virginians support more funding for public education when two-thirds underestimate it by two or three times the actual number.

Clearly Virginians want education freedom.  The issue of school choice is not a public vs. private debate, it is simply about the best opportunity for every child and parents’ rights to make that choice. 

As I told our Gala audience last month, while charter schools are certainly a widely supported idea and Virginia’s charter school law needs changing, we can’t stop there.  Virginia’s kids deserve the best education possible – public or private or home or charter – and they deserve it now.  It’s time for the education establishment to stop being obstructionists and instead join the fight for education freedom in Virginia."

RENEWANATION is a grassroots effort committed to helping parents with tough educational choices by offering every child a Christian worldview.  Make your voice heard and join thousands more in the effort to make this vision a reality. 

For more information and ways to help, contact www.renewanation.org