A Look at THE MOST Interesting Races for Education Opportunity in the 2022 Mid-Term Election

Bipartisan Breakthrough: Democrats Give a Nod To Education Choice

Less than a week away from election day, Democrats in two politically important states have taken positive positions on education choice programs in their states, both existing and proposed, feeling compelled it appears to back education opportunity programs which have become a major national issue for parents.

Last month, Pennsylvania gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro’s campaign website called for “adding choices for parents and educational opportunity for students and funding lifeline scholarships like those approved in other states and introduced in Pennsylvania,” language that was previously absent on his initiatives for education. Shapiro told Pennsylvania press on October 17th and subsequently that his support for education choice and fully funded public education is not an “either or.”

“It’s what I believe,” Shapiro said, according to The Tribune-Democrat. “I’ll be a champion of public education, as I have throughout my career, and I’m also going to be a champion for children as I have throughout my career.” Both Republican Candidate and sitting State Senator Mastriano (via his voting record on HB 2169) and Democratic Attorney General Shapiro have voiced their support for lifeline scholarships. Lifeline scholarships would give parents who live in districts in the bottom 15% of state performance metrics the ability to choose an alternative academic setting that meets their child’s individual learning needs. The money would follow the student at the parent’s discretion. With this shift, Pennsylvania looks to be in a great position to capitalize on education choice policy, whichever way the election goes.

https://edreform.com/news-analysis/7-states-to-watch/