Every state should adopt Oklahoma’s school choice model, says Ryan Walters, the state’s superintendent of education.
“We have the best school choice in the country, and it’s a national model that every state should follow,” Walters told The Daily Signal at talk-radio host Erick Erickson’s The Gathering conference in Atlanta over the weekend. “But frankly, I think that I’ve asked for federal legislation along this way as well.”
Oklahoma’s school choice program functions like an education savings account, but in the form of a tax credit, benefiting homeschoolers, private schoolers, and public schoolers alike, he said.
Walters said improving education affects the entire state, and passing federal school choice legislation would improve the entire country.
“It creates more jobs,” the Oklahoma schools chief said. “You’re getting the most out of every kid, so you’re creating more jobs. Businesses more want to move to your state. Why? Well, they want their kids in high-quality schools. They want their parents to be able to choose options because all of their employees are also parents.”
“The more that we can unlock the potential of every child,” Walters said, “the better off the entire country will be.”
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