It's National School Choice Week, and New Hampshire is showing a hearty appetite for more school choice!
You may have followed the saga of the NH Department of Education's witchhunt against the small town of Croydon. The Education Commissioner responsible, Virginia Barry, is stepping down at the end of this month. The new appointee tapped by Governor Sununu is none other than Frank Edelblut, the conservative homeschooling accountant and former legislator who surprised many (but not me!) by coming within 800 votes of beating Sununu in the Republican primary last fall. Edelblut is a big proponent of school choice, all seven his children were home schooled, saying:
“Our children are the future of our State and our country. We all want to see every student reach his or her full potential. We all want to see every student mature into productive and engaged citizens. Education has a necessary aspect of preparing students for productive careers, but it is so much more than that. Education and educators that instill in our young people wonder and curiosity and a passion for learning and exploration is what will make them leaders into the 21st century.”
In today's Union Leader, on the front page above the fold the article "NH parents stand up for school choice" covered last night's gathering at the Currier Museum where close to 200 students, parents, teachers and community leaders rallied in support of school choice (pictured). The event was organized by Kate Baker of Children's Scholarship Fund New Hampshire. Says Baker:
"We're so lucky here; everything is good, better, best. We have charter schools, incredible online opportunities, private schools and tons of home school students."
On the editorial page, Charles Arlinghaus weighs in with a piece called "School choice is about kids, not systems." He says:
"'School choice' turns into a brand name guaranteed to raise hackles on the left and warm the cockles of right-wing hearts. Hackles and cockles are both of the animal kingdom, appropriate because the responses are too often instinctive rather than rational. More options for more children is rational, prudent and requires only the mildest of changes... It’s time to lower your hackles and warm your cockles. We may disagree on a particular means but we can all embrace the end of allowing more providers to serve more people and thereby giving more children options and greater opportunity in life."
Do you see this type of appetite for school choice where you live? Is there a real possibility of seeing legislative changes to support more school choice there? Did you know New Hampshire ranks highly in best quality of living and best place to raise a family? As home to the Free State Project, when you move, you will be surrounded by thousands of activists who support and share your values for more individualism, including school choice. Come to Liberty Forum on February 2-4, 2017 in Manchester to learn more about our growing community, New Hampshire's school choice options, and meet some of the movers and shakers in this field. REGISTER today, as there are less than 100 tickets left! Can't make Liberty Forum? Save the date for the Porcupine Freedom Festival, AKA PorcFest, which will take place June 21-25 in Lancaster. Make your move SOON for a better future!