SCHOOL CHOICE RESOURCES
School choice means different things to different people. Here at AFC, school choice means allowing parents to select the best schools for their children—public or private. Learn more about the power of school choice and bringing education freedom to South Carolina.
School Choice Is About A Fundamental Right For Parents To Have Access To The Educational Environment That Serves Their Children Best.
School choice allows public education funds to follow students to the schools or services that best fit their needs —whether that’s to a public school, private school, charter school, home school or any other learning environment families choose.
WHAT IS SCHOOL CHOICE?
TYPES OF SCHOOL CHOICE
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Education Savings Account
Education savings account programs give the power to use state education dollars on a variety of education options, such as tuition fees, textbooks, and tutoring. Families receive funds in an account available for approved education expenses and can choose from multiple providers.
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Individual Tuition Tax Credits
Individual state income tax credits of significant size can be used for a child’s relevant educational expenses, including private school tuition. These credits help families choose educational tools they otherwise could not afford, giving their children the education that best suits them and the support they deserve.
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Charter Schools
Charter schools are independently operated public schools that have the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs. Families do not need to use ESAs, vouchers, or tax-credit scholarships to pay to enroll their children in charter schools, as these schools are already publicly funded.
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Tax-Credit Scholarship
Tax-credit scholarship programs give families greater access to high-quality private schools by providing incentives to get involved in education reform. Businesses and individuals receive tax credits for donating to nonprofit organizations that provide scholarships to students and families.
OTHER TYPES OF SCHOOL CHOICE
Charter schools are independently operated public schools that have the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs. Families do not need to use ESAs, vouchers or tax-credit scholarships to pay to enroll their children in charter schools as these schools are already publicly funded.
CHARTER SCHOOLS
MAGNET SCHOOLS
Magnet schools are free public schools that allow kids to narrow in on a specific learning track, such as engineering or the performing arts. South Carolina has many magnet choices throughout the state, and these might be a good option if your child learns best by focusing on a subject they are passionate about. For instance, districts with magnet choices include Fairfield County School District, Florence County School District Three, Lexington-Richland School District Five, Richland County School District One, and Richland School District Two. A full directory of magnet schools and programs in the state can be found at the South Carolina Department of Education.
HOMESCHOOLING
South Carolina families can also choose to homeschool, which allows for high levels of customized learning and flexibility. Homeschooling is the process of parents educating students at home and is permitted in all 50 states. In South Carolina, if you are homeschooling under a homeschool statute, an application must be submitted to the board of trustees prior to starting. More information can be found on the South Carolina Department of Education’s Homeschooling page.
SCHOOL CHOICE FACTS
Independent research supports the need for— and the benefits of— school choice. See what the research says about school choice and its overwhelmingly positive impact.
Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP)
Higher Graduation Rates: MPCP students have higher on- time graduation rates—76%—than students in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)—69%.
Washington, D.C., Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP)
Higher Graduation Rates: OSP students graduated at a rate of 91%, a 21-point increase from those who didn’t receive scholarships. OSP graduation rates are more than 30% higher than D.C. Public Schools.
Florida Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program
Increased Academic Achievement: Annual evaluations show scholarship recipients—mostly low-income, minority students—perform just as well or better than students of all incomes and races nationally.