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Harper Speaks Out in Favor
of School Choice at Capitol Rally

– Says House Bill 30 is a step in the right direction –

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Republican Billy Harper participated in a school choice rally on behalf of House Bill 30, legislation that would give Kentucky’s special needs students an opportunity to transfer from failing or underperforming public schools to institutions that offer stronger learning environments.

Harper called on business, school and community leaders across Kentucky to speak up and voice their support for more parental control of a child’s learning environment and a “marketplace” approach to primary and secondary education whereby students are provided the opportunity to choose the schools and teachers that best support their learning style and goals.

Harper, who recently served as chairman of the Business Forum on Kentucky Education, which put forth more than 50 specific recommendations for improving education, said the legislation was a step in the right direction but that a more aggressive and comprehensive approach to school reform is needed.

“Kentucky students must be given every opportunity to excel in the classroom, regardless of their location or economic standing,” said Harper. “We can’t continue to punish students who are stuck in underperforming schools while other children across the state thrive and prosper.”

Harper also called for increased collaboration between the state’s preschool programs, including Head Start and family literacy, and early screening of all students for reading and other learning disabilities. In addition, Harper recommended strengthening health screenings and preventative health care for students so that impaired hearing or vision and other learning obstacles are identified early.

“As I’ve said all along, educational achievement must be Kentucky’s top priority and has to include the support of business, government and community leaders,” Harper said. “Simply put, school superintendents, principals, teachers and students must be held accountable for their performance.”

For more information about Billy Harper and his campaign for governor, please visit the campaign online at www.HarperforGovernor.com or contact campaign manager Stan Pulliam at (270) 519-7663.

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