Special Needs Poll Results Reveal Need for Action

RALEIGH, NC – Results from a poll about special needs education in North Carolina were released today, indicating 82 percent of parents with school-aged children are in support of scholarships for special needs children.

The poll was conducted by Public Policy Polling and commissioned by Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, a 501(c)(3) non-profit in support of parental school choice.

Senators Malcolm Graham (D) and Edward Goodall (R), and Representatives Marvin Lucas (D), Paul Stam (R) and Laura Wiley (R) addressed proposed legislation in the State House and Senate that would allow parents of children with special needs to claim a tax credit for sending their children to a public or nonpublic school where tuition is charged.

"Many of us champion the slogan 'children first,' and this bill tends to put action where we've had really just slogans," said Representative Marvin Lucas. "Children of special needs really, sincerely need our help."

The proposed bill would provide a refundable tax credit, allowing any qualifying family of a special needs child to obtain up to $6,000 per year, regardless of income, for tuition costs. Estimates by Fiscal Research show a tax credit would cost the state about $3 million, but save the counties approximately $6 million each year. It is estimated that approximately 3,000 eligible students would be provided with alternative education.

"In the 21st Century, I think we all agree with the adage that one size does not fit all. Certainly that has to be true when it comes to the education of some of our neediest children," said Senator Malcolm Graham.

According to the poll, 80 percent of North Carolinians polled (regardless of race, gender and party line) are in favor of a bill allowing tuition tax credits for parents of special needs children to attend a nonpublic school of their choice.

"Now we know where North Carolinians stand on the idea of providing educational tax credits for parents of special needs children – they overwhelmingly support it," said Darrell Allison, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina. "We are encouraged not only by the public support but also by the bipartisan legislative effort underway as a response. Who could disagree with providing more options for families whose children face some of the greatest educational challenges?"

Leslie Petruk, the mother of a special needs child, gave her story of the difficulties she faces to get her child the appropriate education. "Our child is already at a great disadvantage due to his disability and the learning challenges that come along with it," said Petruk. "We know our child better than any educator or professional and should have the option to place him in a setting that we know would provide an academic and social environment where he will be able to meet his full potential."

About PEFNC:

Founded on July 5, 2005, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to finding ways to effectively better an educational system for all children in North Carolina. PEFNC supports all programs that provide parents and children with greater educational options and builds awareness of the need for even more educational options in North Carolina, including an option not currently available to families in our state: the opportunity for families to educate their child privately and/or non-traditionally through a tax credit or equal opportunity scholarship programs.