American Federation for Children Calls Obama's Address 'a Great Disappointment'

The American Federation for Children, which calls itself the nations voice for educational choice, released the following statement from executive counsel Kevin P. Chavous in response to President Obama's State of the Union address:

"President Obamas remarks on education were a great disappointment to those of us working to help kids struggling in failing schools across America. The president has long expressed interest in helping children attend Pre-K and today he wants to help more kids go to college -- all of which is laudable. But the obvious question is: What about the millions of kids in between?

There is only one immediate answer to helping parents with children in failing schools -- an issue supported by increasing numbers of Democrats and Republicans alike -- and that is educational choice.

As a former elected official who saw the benefits of school choice in D.C., I find it heartbreaking that the president remains stubbornly in-line with those who oppose any meaningful reforms to an antiquated education system. By ignoring the needs of children between K-12 who are stuck in schools that do not meet their needs, the president runs the risk of being on the wrong side of the most important civil rights issue of this generation.