RESEARCH

NASHVILLE – The Beacon Center of Tennessee today released a new publication highlighting the school choice stories of families across the state. The report, The Choice is Ours, tells how opportunity scholarships have empowered two Tennessee mothers to obtain a top-notch education for their sons. It also explains how other parents struggle to find quality education options for their children. The Choice is Ours is part of a Beacon publication series called “Faces of Freedom,” which provides real-life stories of real-life citizens, so that Tennesseans can better understand the impact public policy has on their lives. When it comes to education, ZIP codes dictate the fate of many Tennessee families. This one-size-fits-all approach leads children across the state to be zoned for schools that fail to meet their unique needs. “The stories of the families featured in The Choice is Ours stress the positive impact a quality education can have on a child’s life,” said Beacon Center Director of Policy Trey Moore. “While some families are fortunate to have these options, too many remain trapped in schools that fail to meet their needs. That needs to change.” The report outlines Tennessee’s poor education performance and calls for empowering parents to choose the schools that are best for their children. The report comes as lawmakers consider various proposals to provide greater access to better schools, whether they are private, charter, or public schools. The full report can be downloaded at http://www.beacontn.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Choice-is-Ours.pdf. Hardcopies can be requested by contacting (615) 383-6431 or info@beacontn.org. The Beacon Center of Tennessee’s mission is to change lives through public policy by advancing the principles of free markets, individual liberty, and limited government. Visit online at www.BeaconTN.org.

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