Arizona National School Choice Rally
Over 250 Arizonians gathered at the state capital today to send Governor Katie Hobbs a message: school choice isn’t going anywhere. Arizona is the model state for school choice, with over 73,000 kids using the program successfully. Governor Hobbs is actively seeking to displace these 73,000 students, because she believes educators know what is best for kids, not their parents.
The IWN Phoenix, AZ Chapter joined the rally, sponsored by AZ Senator Jake Hoffman, to stand with families. Christy Narsi, Phoenix Chapter Chair said: “It is INJUSTICE to force our minority students into failing schools. It is INJUSTICE to force single moms to put their kids in schools that make every day harder, not better. This is why I fight for school choice and the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. Families should be fighting for parental inclusion in education. Instead, Governor Hobbs wants to exclude parents from being able to educate their children the way they see fit”
“Opponents of the Empowerment Scholarship Account program and of school choice insist the public schools will lose money and start failing because of the program. Of course we know that’s not true, but let’s call a spade a spade. They are already failing. Over half of Arizona’s budget is going to K-12 education, yet Arizona ranks nearly dead last in the nation! Arizonian parents are educated enough to know that money is NOT the problem. It is our job to insist the money start showing up in our kids’ grades and in their self-confidence. We cast our vote through school choice by enrolling our kids in performing schools.”
Stacy Brown, IWN Phoenix, AZ Chapter Chair for Education Freedom and Vice President of Education for All AZ, said: “As school choice week kicks off, we celebrate here in Arizona at the Capitol with a rally. It was an incredible opportunity to gather together with legislators and other parents who have made it possible for our children to grow!”
Bella Ceballos-Viner emceed the rally. Bella is Founder and Executive Director of Padres Unidos AZ. Bella said: “Today was a good day to send the message that Latinos and African Americans are joining the fight for school choice. That school choice holds no racial boundaries.”
