While much of the focus regarding Missouri’s primary election on Tuesday was trained on the US Senate race (Schmitt Happens: Missouri AG Wins GOP Primary for US Senate), there were a slew of state and local races on the ballot as well.
What were the Show-Me State’s greatest winners? The American Federation for Children (AFC), students were the biggest winners (via the winning issue school choice). According to the AFC, its mission is:
Following Tuesday’s election, the AFC issued the following press release:
The American Federation for Children, the nation’s voice for educational choice, congratulates all the Missouri candidates supported by the Missouri Federation for Children PAC during Tuesday’s primary election. The MFCPAC spent more than $500,000 on state races in support of school choice advocates during the 2022 primaries. Missouri’s 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions saw incredible expansion of opportunities for students – first by creating the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Account Program then by “fixing the glitch” that previously led charter schools to be funded at significantly lower rates than district schools. Statement of Jean Evans (State Lead), American Federation for Children Missouri:
“Parents are making their voices heard across the state, including at the ballot box, demanding educational options and reminding elected officials that students are not one-size-fits-all. Missouri’s leaders should recognize that fact by continuing to champion school choice legislation that allows the next generation of students to access options as unique as the students themselves.” Details:
Missouri Federation for Children PAC supports the success of these successful candidates
- Travis Fitzwater – SD 10
- Jeff Myers – HD 42
- Jim Schulte – HD 49
- Tony Lovasco – HD 64
- Holly Jones – HD 88
- Brad Christ – HD 96
- Lisa Thomas – HD 123
- Darin Chappell – HD 137
- Mitch Boggs – HD 157
Missouri Federation for Children PAC also supported the unsuccessful candidates based upon their stance against education liberty:
- Jeff Roorda – SD 22
- Nate Tate – SD 26
In 2021, the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Account Program Program was created by the legislature. Per the State Treasurer’s office:
“In 2021, the Missouri General Assembly passed HB349 and SB86 which established the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, MOScholars. State tax credits are available for donations to non-profit Educational Assistance Organizations. These EAOs use the contributions to award scholarships to Missouri students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and students living in low-income households.”
The “glitch” that limited charter school funding was remedied by the legislature in 2022. The AFC
In a bipartisan vote, the Missouri General Assembly approved a bill that equalized funding for students in charter schools and their peers from district schools.
According to the old formula, students who were charter in Kansas City got $1,700 per annum less than those in St. Louis, but received $2,500 per annum more than those in districts schools.
School choice advocates in the Show-Me State worked for four years to “Fix the Glitch” in the funding formula. Jean Evans (ex-State Representative, American Federation for Children Missouri) was the state leader of the American Federation for Children Missouri and led the coalition of school choice advocates that brought the legislation to the final stage in 2022.
The key features of this fix are:
- Missouri charter schools are limited to St. Louis and Kansas City. However, their funding formula is based on outdated property values. This results in a substantial gap in funding relative to students in district schools.
- The bill equalizes funding. This will use the Missouri Funding Formula.
- The bill also includes additional charter and virtual education accountability measures and $62 million for public schools in St. Louis and Kansas City.
We had an opportunity to speak with Jean Evans, currently Missouri State Lead for the AFC, on the Mike Ferguson in the Morning Show on NewsTalkSTL Wednesday morning, specifically regarding the outcome of Tuesday’s primaries:
Evans stressed how important these primaries had been for candidates who chose school choice.
it’s happening. pic.twitter.com/HVShpfTJ5y
— Corey A. DeAngelis (@DeAngelisCorey) August 4, 2022
Evans was available to comment on these results. I reached out to Evans Thursday. Another school-choice winner was Curtis Trent (Republican who served as state representative since 2017). Trent received the Republican nomination to Senate District 20. He will not be challenged by a Democratic candidate in November.
Evans cautioned, however, that despite recent success, advocates for school choice are still far from done.
Missouri has made great strides, but it is not over. The student should be the one paying for education funds. The best people to decide for your children are the parents.
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