York County News

Dec 11, 2023 - In a move to provide Pennsylvania students and parents with greater educational freedom, Representative Joe D’Orsie has introduced legislation called the Student Freedom Account Program. D’Orsie and advocates gathered at a press conference to unveil the bill, which aims to give students the opportunity to choose the school that best suits their educational needs.

"For far too long, students and parents have asked for and repeatedly been denied the unbridled freedom to excel," said D’Orsie. "The Student Freedom Account Act will finally deliver them the opportunity they rightly deserve. No longer will a child’s ZIP code dictate the quality of their education. Rather, they will have the freedom to choose the school that best fits their educational needs."

The Student Freedom Account Act proposes a change in how state education funding is allocated. Instead of funding being tied to systems, the legislation suggests that state education funding should follow the student to their school of choice. The funds would be placed in individualized Student Freedom Accounts, which students can use to attend schools of their choosing, including parochial or charter schools.

Former Representative Andrew Lewis, who authored a universal educational choice bill in 2021, expressed his support for the legislation, stating, "Educational choice is very simply a human rights issue. I’m glad to see the work I started last session has been picked up, and the momentum we’re seeing around the nation with educational choice is impacting our state."

Myles Slade-Bowers, an educational choice advocate and a student at Bishop McDevitt High School, shared his personal experience benefiting from the state's tax credit program, the EITC scholarship. He emphasized the need for more support to help other students access educational opportunities. "Universal educational choice, as proposed through the Student Freedom Account Program, would open the door of opportunity to countless more students," Slade-Bowers said.

The introduction of the Student Freedom Account Program by Representative D’Orsie is a significant step toward providing Pennsylvania students with greater educational options. The legislation aims to break the barriers imposed by ZIP codes and empower students and parents to choose the schools that best meet their needs.

For more information, a recording of Representative D’Orsie’s remarks from the press conference is available for download on his website.

Contact:

Representative Joe D’Orsie

47th District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Greg Gross

717.260.6374

ggross@pahousegop.com

RepJoeD.com

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.repjoed.com/News/33261/Latest-News/D%E2%80%99Orsie-Unveils-Educational-Choice-Legislation-for-PA-Students-