School choice efforts in Michigan scored a victory today as Senate Bill 619 was voted out of the House Education Committee.

Passing with a 10-8 committee vote, the bill heads to the House floor for final passage next Tuesday.  If passed, the cap on the number of online charter schools allowed in the state will be lifted, providing Michigan families with the power to choose the educational option that works best for their needs. 

Currently, the state is home to two online charter schools, with a combined enrollment of around 1,400 students.  With more than 10,000 students on the waiting list for these schools, lifting the cap would give more students access to the established programs and open the door for more schools to open. 

The Michigan Chapter of the National Coalition for Public School Options released a statement today in support of the Committee's vote: "For many weeks, parents and students have faithfully travelled to Lansing to make their voices heard, testifying about the benefits online learning options have delivered for their families and the need to open those options to the thousands of children currently waiting for a chance to enroll.  Despite the scare tactics and distortions from the taxpayer-funded lobbyist corps and the education establishment, many members of the House Education Committee actually listened to the parents.  We are grateful for their vote and the options that vote could provide families all across Michigan.  We look forward to approval by the full state House."