FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2011
Michigan Parents Praise State Senate for Expanding Choices in Education
Passage of Senate Bill 619 Praised as First Step in Fight to Improve Education for Thousands of Students Currently on Cyber Charter Waiting Lists
LANSING - Parents across Michigan and members of the Michigan Chapter of the National Coalition for Public School Options (NCPSO) today praised the Michigan State Senate for approving Senate Bill 619, a measure designed to lift the state cap on enrollment in cyber charter schools, expanding educational opportunities for parents and students.
The bill would lift the cap on the number of students permitted to attend cyber charter schools. Because of current law, only two cyber charter schools currently operate in Michigan despite the fact that over 5,000 parents languish on waiting lists, clamoring for the opportunity to enroll their children in cyber charter schools.
"Our children have made great strides since attending a cyber charter school and we applaud the Senate for fighting to give that same right to the thousands of other families," said Brian Kevelin, a Board Member with the Michigan Chapter of the NCPSO. "Parents are desperate for better opportunities for their children. The ball is now in the state House's court and parents across the state urge lawmakers to stand up for our kids and expand educational choices in Michigan."
The National Coalition for Public School Options is an alliance of parents that supports and defends parents' rights to access the best public school options for their children. The Coalition supports the creation of public school options, including charter schools, online schools, magnet schools, tuition scholarship programs, open enrollment policies and other innovative education programs. Additionally, the Coalition advocates for free and equal access without restrictions to these public schools for all children.
"Children should not be held hostage by restricting them to geographic boundaries, enrollment caps or waiting lists," said Heidi Kevelin, a Board Member with the Michigan Chapter of NCPSO. "Every day we fail to give parents options in education is a day that another child gets left behind. Parents can be proud that Senators stood up for them today in Lansing and we urge the state House to approve this bill immediately."
More information about NCPSO and cyber charter schools can be found online at http://www.publicschooloptions.org/michigan/.
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