Headlines- Petersburg
As we noted yesterday, the Thomas Jefferson Institute and the Black Alliance for Educational Options recently announced the results of their survey on school choice in several Virginia localities.
One of those localities was the City of Petersburg. The Petersburg Progress-Index reported on the survey earlier this week: “Survey shows frustration with schools, choices.”
It’s no secret that many parents in Petersburg are frustrated with the school system. A recent survey completed by the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy and the Black Alliance for Educational Options shows just how frustrated — and that the desire for options is strong.
“They’re really interested in seeing choices,” said Gerard Robinson, BAEO president.
Chris Braunlich, vice president of the Jefferson Institute, said that the findings contrast with the perception of many that most African-Americans don’t support charter schools or school choice.
“The results indicate that people are interested in seeing options, whether it’s scholarships to attend other schools or charter schools,” Braunlich said.
Thomas Jefferson Institute Reports “Black Neighborhoods Support More Parental Options”
One of our partners here at School Choice Virgina, the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, recently announced the results of a survey they conducted with the Black Alliance for Educational Options on the issue of school choice.
Their survey was conducted with more than 2,200 voters in majority African-American voting precincts in the Petersburg, Richmond and Norfolk areas of Virginia. The results, released last week, show that more than 76% of the voters in these areas support school choice for parents.
Support for other educational options, including tax credits, charter schools and scholarships for students with disabilities, is significant among parents and non-parents.
To view the City-by-City results of the survey, click here.
As we have noted before, school choice is an issue that crosses partisan and racial lines. We hope that the legislators who represent these districts will take note of the results of this survey and listen to their constituents when school choice issues come before them in the upcoming General Assembly session.
