Great Choice Douglas County Inc.

Great Choice Douglas County Inc. is a non-profit organization focused on supporting school choice reforms in Douglas County, Colorado. The organization is known for its advocacy work related to the Douglas County School District's Choice Scholarship Program.

Background and Purpose

The organization supports efforts to expand educational options for families in Douglas County. It highlights the importance of parental choice in education, advocating for policies that allow parents to select schools that best suit their children's needs.

Advocacy Efforts

Great Choice Douglas County Inc. has been involved in promoting and defending the Choice Scholarship Program. This program aimed to provide scholarships to students so they could attend private schools of their choice, including both religious and non-religious institutions. The program was designed to enhance educational opportunities and has been subject to legal challenges.

Legal Challenges

The Choice Scholarship Program faced opposition from groups like the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who argued that it was unconstitutional. Despite these challenges, the program received support from organizations and individuals who believe in the benefits of school choice.

Program Details

The program initially offered 500 scholarships, allowing parents to use the funds to enroll their children in private schools. The scholarships were capped at 75% of the per-pupil funding for Douglas County schools or the tuition cost of the selected private school, whichever was less. Participating nonpublic schools were required to demonstrate student achievement and growth comparable to public schools.

Current Status and Impact

Although the Colorado Supreme Court ultimately ruled against the inclusion of religious schools in the program, the organization remains committed to advocating for educational choice and innovation in Douglas County. The efforts of Great Choice Douglas County Inc. reflect a broader national discourse on school choice and its potential impact on education policy.