Monthly Archives: September 2010

Student voices on going back to school with school choice

Family experiences are at the heart of school choice. Our blog periodically spotlights stories from Ohio families who experience school choice programs firsthand. Here are some inspiring words from the students themselves.

“My EdChoice Scholarship means a lot to me. It means a lot because it has changed my schooling. I know that people care and love me. It makes a big difference in my life!”

Kazarah, 5^th grade – Columbus

“The Autism Scholarship improved my life by helping me to communicate more, express my emotions, have better confidence in myself, and be a more active person in my job and community.”

Kevin, 12^th grade – Pioneer

“What my EdChoice scholarship means to me is a turning point in my life. A chance to start something new. To give hope to those after me. The EdChoice Scholarship means all that and more. I know that because of my EdChoice scholarship, my life has done a U-turn on life’s highway. I am going in a different direction now, and I hope to go to college. I will be the first in my family to go. Thank you EdChoice!”

Thomas, 10^th grade – Cincinnati

“I learn so much more. I am very thankful.”

Kristopher, 2^nd grade – Toledo

“Being accepted into the EdChoice Scholarship has given me so many chances I never thought I could have. I am so thankful.”

Amanda, 11^th grade – Warren

“The Autism Scholarship changed my life by allowing me to go to a special school. At this school I found new teachers, new interests, and smaller classes.”

Anthony, 7^th grade – Bryan

“The EdChoice program has made a difference to me because now I love school. I feel very blessed to have the scholarship to go to a school that I feel like I belong to. I wish that every kid that wants to learn like I do had the chance to pick the school they went to. I think the world would have a lot more happier and smarter kids.”

Paul, 5^th grade – Youngstown

“Since the Autism Scholarship came into my life, I have met new people, my communication skills have improved, and I understand my school work a lot better. My life has changed for the better.”

Nathaniel, 12^th grade – Defiance

“The EdChoice scholarship means a lot to me. To me this scholarship means good education, a great learning environment, amazing opportunities, sporting activities, a great music program, and also a place where I actually like going to school. This scholarship is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me and my family.”

Taylor, 8^th grade – Lorain

All these students, along with thousands of others across Ohio, are back in school with vouchers and going full speed ahead into the new school year. We wish them all the very best!

Essay Contest – Share your story!

What is more compelling than stories? We ALL love hearing great stories that draw us into another person’s reality and tell us more about the human experience.

It’s time again for the annual School Choice Ohio essay contest where families who use school vouchers are able to share their personal stories about the difference their scholarship makes in their lives.

The theme is “Thankful for School Choice” and the deadline is – appropriately – just after Thanksgiving, November 30.

Winners receive $100 gift certificates, but more importantly are invaluable partners as we tell the story of school choice. Voices of School Choice stories are featured in SCO newsletters, our website, blog, Facebook pages, and Twitter feeds – they reach literally thousands of people with real stories of school choice.

Want to share your story? You can download a copy of the contest entry form at www.scohio.org.

Eternally grateful for EdChoice

Family experiences are at the heart of school choice. Our blog periodically spotlights stories from Ohio families who experience school choice programs firsthand.

Kerri Drablec is a Toledo mom and educator whose son Alex attends a private school using an EdChoice scholarship.

Kerri and her husband faced unique challenges with Alex’s education. “Our son developed a rare syndrome when he was an infant that left him with numerous medical needs. Suddenly, we were faced with rising medical bills, decisions to be made daily over our son’s health and welfare, and stressful circumstances that left us feeling numb at times.

“Unfortunately, we were not given a choice as to what school he would attend. The neighborhood school couldn’t accommodate his educational needs, so he needed to be transported via bus to a school further away. This deeply distressed me. My worst fears were realized when transportation lost my son not once, but two times.

“His teachers at the previous school worked diligently to help him make educational gains, but I felt as a teacher that there were holes in his instruction that needed to be filled. The expectations for our son needed to be raised so that he could achieve more.”

Kerri and her husband visited a local private school and she immediately knew that this was the best possible fit for her son. “As I spoke to the principal and special education teacher, a feeling of warmth filled me. It is hard to describe a feeling where you have found something so possibly perfect and beneficial to your child, that you can envision their ability to thrive and grow spiritually, educationally, and emotionally all in one beautiful package.”

Kerri wasn’t out of the woods yet. “I knew this was the school, but the ever-pressing question nagged my mind. Could we afford it? I inquired as to whether we might qualify for reduced tuition or perhaps a tuition assistance plan. The principal’s eyes lit up and with excitement in her voice, she said that we might qualify for the EdChoice Scholarship which would pay his tuition in full. Thinking I had heard wrong, I asked her to repeat it.”

Alex is now in his third year at this school though EdChoice. “He has made many friends, and has grown into a responsible and high achieving student.” The whole family is very involved in school activities, and feels a connectedness there that was missing before.

“We are eternally grateful for the EdChoice Scholarship and the opportunities it has enabled us. To the persons who created it, the schools who embraced it, and all the persons who sent postcards or called to encourage the scholarship acceptance, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!”