Parental School Choice Is Key To Quality Education In Atlanta Area Schools, Say Libertarians

Libertarian Party of Georgia suggest parental school choice to improve failing Atlanta city schools.

Libertarian Party of Georgia
www.ga.lp.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jason Butler, Political Director
                                                 Days: 770-753-8247
E-mail: Jason.Butler@ga.lp.org
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Parental School Choice, Not More Windows, Is Key To Quality Education In Atlanta Area Schools, Say Libertarians

Atlanta (July 25, 2001) -- While the Atlanta Public School system considers adding windows to its schools in an attempt to boost test scores, the Libertarian Party of Georgia suggests a better solution for improving the quality of education in the city -- parental school choice. Giving parents more freedom to choose the schools their children attend will provide much needed competition for the ailing city school system.

Atlanta City schools spend more money per child than nearly every other school system in the state, yet they continue to produce some of the worst test scores," stated Jason Butler, Political Director for the Libertarian Party of Georgia. Its time to put parents back in control of their childrens future."

According to the Georgia Department of Educations statistics for Fiscal Year 2000, the average expenditure per child in Atlanta Public Schools was $8451.24, well above the state average of $6169.56.

When compared with the rest of the nation, the state of Georgias public schools have underperformed as well. Georgia ranked 49th out of the fifty states in Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, finishing ahead of only South Carolina.

The government has a virtual monopoly on education in Atlanta due to the heavy tax burden placed on residents to support these failing schools," said Butler. Yet, there are many alternatives to government-run public schools. Private schools, magnet schools, charter schools, or homeschooling may be the preferred option for parents who are dissatisfied with the one-size-fits-all rigidity of the Atlanta city schools."

Many creative ways can be developed to provide parents with these choices," replied Butler. Tax cuts, educational savings accounts, tuition tax credits, and scholarship credits will put parents in the drivers seat."

Educational choice is the best way to ensure that no child is left behind," said Butler.