Rokita Introduces CHOICE Act, Addresses AEI on K-12 Ed Refom

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, will introduce the Creating Hope and Opportunities for Individuals and Communities through Education (CHOICE) Act to expand opportunities and foster success by providing students and parents greater choice in education tomorrow. Rokita is introducing the legislation prior to his keynote address at the American Enterprise Institute, tomorrow at 3:00 pm ET. (Click here for more information on the AEI remarks). U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced the Senate companion legislation earlier this year.

"To help them build better lives for themselves, all children need access to quality schools. I am proud to partner with Senator Scott in introducing the CHOICE Act to empower families, as they determine the best educational path for their children, by improving that access. This bill particularly benefits special needs students, as well as the children of our servicemen and women who may not have access to quality schools on base, by ensuring funding directly benefits and follows the student, not an education bureaucracy if it is failing them," said Rokita.

CHOICE Act (a detailed one pager is attached)

Creating Hope and Opportunities for Individuals and Communities through Education Act

Ensures Children with Disabilities Get Educational Options Best Suited for Them

Approximately 6 million students with disabilities, ages 6-21, receive educational services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The CHOICE Act encourages states to establish school choice programs for students with disabilities and expands educational options for children with special needs.

Provides More Choices to Military Families As They Serve Their Country

Expands options for the approximately 200,000 children that live on domestic military installations

Expands Educational Options for Low-Income Families in Washington, DC

Since 2004, the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (DC OSP) has served more than 5,000 low-income children in Washington, DC and has become a model for effective public scholarship programs. With more than 20,000 students on OSP waiting lists, more can be done.

Rokita's CHOICE Act, builds on the innovative rewrite of No Child Left Behind, the Student Success Act (H.R.5), which passed the House in 2013, and the education research reform, the Strengthening Education through Research Act (H.R. 4366). H.R. 4366 reauthorizes the Education Science Reform Act, legislation which governs and promotes high-quality education research in early childhood, elementary and secondary education, and increases access to data that is important to families as they determine the best school for their children.

Rokita's Student Success Act reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and reforms its current authorization, No Child Left Behind. The Student Success Act currently awaits consideration in the Senate.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, Rep. Rokita continues to provide leadership in shaping federal education policy, including returning power to parents, teachers, and state and local governments, and working to maximize education flexibility while maintaining high standards and accountability.

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