Thousands Rally at New Jersey Capitol to Demand School Choice

TRENTON, N.J., Dec. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Over 2,500 students, parents, education reform advocates, and legislators rallied outside a chilly State Capitol yesterday, demonstrating the overwhelming support for school choice and urging the state legislature to pass a plan that would create a scholarship tax credit program for students in the state's worst-performing school districts.

Supporters called on lawmakers working in the Statehouse to pass the Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA), a bipartisan bill that would allow thousands of children from low-income New Jersey families in the state's most disadvantaged school districts to attend the schools of their parents' choice.

Organized by a coalition of New Jersey school choice advocates that includes We Can Do Better New Jersey and Excellent Education for Everyone (E3), the rally attracted champions of the legislation from cities all across the state, as well as national education reform supporters and elected officials from around the country.

Among the speakers were State Sen. Thomas Kean, Jr. (R) and Assemblyman Angel Fuentes (D), sponsors of the OSA legislation in their respective chambers.  Also among those who energized the crowd were Georgia State Representative Alisha Morgan (D) and Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, the executive director of the Black Ministers Council, who called on legislators to support a measure that would immediately benefit the students most desperately in need.

"The issue is not money," Jackson said. "The issue is the quality of learning. We need the Opportunity Scholarship Act now."

Kevin P. Chavous, a former D.C. Councilman and education reform leader, said that he's seen firsthand the benefits of school choice around the nation, including in the nation's capital, where participants in the city's highly-successful D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program graduate at a rate of 91 percent—more than 30 points higher than their public school counterparts.

"The revolution for change starts right here in New Jersey," said Chavous, who is also a founding board member and senior advisor to the American Federation for Children. "This is your opportunity to have your voice heard."

Supporters of the OSA called on lawmakers to quickly move the bill in the post-election legislative session, which ends January 9.  The OSA also enjoys the strong backing of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has made expanding educational options for children in low-income families a top priority.  

SOURCE American Federation for Children