While Montana parents are celebrating the new access to education tax credits, there is a giant upset over the still limited school choice in the state. This year, the Montana legislature proposed a whole slew of education bills during its session, ranging from Common Core repeal to greater school choice for parents. Yet, of the numerous bills introduced this year, only two education bills made it to Governor Steve Bullock's desk.

Since I began researching politics, I have been a strong supporter of the merit pay system for teachers. Not only have I supported it, but I’ve defended it and fought for it. Unfortunately as school ended last month, I began to see what I believe may be a major flaw in the idea. On the surface it sounds as if it makes sense; pay teachers on a merit system based on their performance. But as is often the case, real life may have uncovered a glitch, and I believe there’s a possibility it may not work in our public schools as they are structured now. Here’s why:

As a parent, I look forward to parent-teacher conferences.  Even if the news is bad, and sometimes it is, it’s better than the information I’m getting at home. The daily school conversation with my children usually goes like this - “How was school, what did you do today?” I ask.  “It was fine, I’m hungry,” is usually the response.  My children are typical, from what I understand, in that the only thing they will open up about are social issues; and even telling me about their social lives will sadly, most likely end during middle school.

After being on the ground and fighting for education reform for nearly 2 years, our FreedomWorks field team in Pennsylvania received some great news on School Choice as of late Saturday evening, June 30th, when HB761 passed both chambers right before the midnight budget deadline.  Governor Tom Corbett signed the bill into law that same night along with an on-time budget.  A school choice voucher program was one of the Governor's top priorities during his campaign in 2010 and we are thrilled to see movement in the right direction. 

Yesterday, the FreedomWorks Pennsylvania Field staff, Ana Puig and I, were in Harrisburg pushing HB2468 in the House. This is EITC/EISC program legislation which was introduced last week by Representive Jim Christiana. This legislation will phase in two components of a proposal to enhance school choice options in PA--The successful EITC program and an Educational Scholarship Credit Program (EISC) that is specifically aimed at rescuing students who are attending PA's lowest performing schools.

Tomorrow, the House Ways and Means Committee will be voting to decide if H.4894 will be brought to the House floor.  The bill gives parents and students greater control over their education by allowing the use of tax credits and deductions to send children to the school that best meets their needs.