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Wilson Advocates for Military School Choice

May 24, 2017

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement after introducing the Military Child Educational Freedom Act today. This common sense legislation would allow military families to use tax-free Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts on homeschooling expenses. Click here to read the legislation.

Congressman Wilson stated: "Military families face unique struggles—managing frequent moves, disruptions during the school year, and lack of choice in educational opportunities. As more and more families look to homeschooling as a way to standardize education and maintain consistency in transitions, they struggle to manage the costs. This legislation would expand the use of tax-free educational savings accounts for military families for homeschooling costs, in addition to qualified public, private, or religious schools.

"By promoting school choice for children of active duty service members, we can support military families and help alleviate concerns faced by military families that can have a negative impact on troop retention."

The legislation is supported by South Carolina State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman: "I applaud Congressman Wilson on his steadfast support of our nation's military and military connected families. The Military Child Educational Freedom Act encourages school choice for our active duty men and women and provides them with much needed financial assistance to ensure their students have the tools and resources needed to be successful. I look forward to its passage and the opportunities it will create for families in South Carolina and across our nation."

William Estrada, Director of Federal Relations for the Home School Legal Defense Association applauded the legislation: "HSLDA is pleased to support Congressman Joe Wilson's strong legislation to support military families who homeschool their children. The Military Child Educational Freedom Act allows homeschool families in the military to save their own money for use in Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. This legislation acknowledges the growing numbers of military families who are choosing to homeschool – and provides a practical way to help them financially. HSLDA urges that the Congress approve this vital bill to help our war fighters and their families who choose to homeschool their children."

The South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools also praised the legislation: "The South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) commends Congressman Joe Wilson for his continued and unyielding support of both homeschooling and military families. This bill supports parental rights in education and extends that in a very practical way to military families who choose to homeschool, by allowing them to save their own money for use in Coverdell Savings Accounts. Homeschooling is an excellent educational option for military families and this bill makes that choice more accessible."

Click here to read the legislation.

Issues:Education