Whenever someone mentions school choice, most people’s thoughts turn immediately to vouchers. Because traditional school vouchers don’t exist in Pennsylvania, the REACH Foundation has set out on a mission to show parents, legislators and the general public what exactly we mean when we talk about school choice.

In 2007, REACH launched a brand-new marketing campaign to show everyone the many Visions of Choice that are happening everyday in the Commonwealth. The main goals of the campaign are to put a face to the school choice movement and to portray school choice in a positive light. We also want to help people make the connection between what REACH does and the families and children that are successful because of it.

By definition, school choice means allowing every parent to send their child to the school that best fits their child’s educational needs, regardless of income or zip code. REACH estimates that over 355,000 children are currently utilizing school choice options in the Commonwealth. In Pennsylvania, school choice options include Charter Schools, Cyber-Charter Schools, Private Tutoring, Homeschooling, Private Schools, Parochial Schools and the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. Each year, the Visions of Choice campaign focuses on several families from all over the state who have chosen different school choice options.

For the 2008 visions of school choice, click here.

For Parents:

In order to choose families who exemplify school choice, whether it’s through the EITC, through homeschools, charter schools or cyber-charter schools, REACH is holding its annual Choice Contest. To be considered for this campaign, families must submit the following:

• Parents: Parents must fill out the corresponding nomination form.
• Students: Students must create something that shows what school choice means to them (examples: a poster, an essay, paper mache, powerpoint presentation, etc.). The nomination form from the parents must be submitted with this project.

As well as being able to share your story, winners may be able to meet with their legislator and take a trip to Harrisburg. They will also be VIP attendees at the annual rally and awards dinner. Winners will receive a REACH Visions of Choice prize pack, filled with goodies to make your school year more successful.

Submissions are due to REACH by Friday, December 5, 2008. Please address all material to:

REACH Foundation

Visions of Choice

20 North Market Square, Suite 400

Harrisburg, PA 17101

Scholarship Organizations will be notified of the winners; they will then notify you. If your family is chosen to participate, we will send a professional photographer to your house or school to photograph you to be used in marketing materials and media campaigns. Parents will be notified of our schedule.

If you are not a 2009 winner, your story could still be on the Visions of Choice section of our website.