“No child should be trapped in a school that is unsafe, underperforming, or unable to meet basic academic standards simply because his or her family lacks financial means."
Stephen Moore: Unleash Prosperity Hotline – Now THIS is a story of real philanthropy and an initiative that really is "for the children":
Students from 17 city schools that are slated to close in the next few years are being offered scholarships to leave the Philadelphia School District for private schools -- and the money is being put up by billionaires Jeff and Janine Yass.
Jeff Yass, a Republican megadonor and the richest person in Pennsylvania, has long supported the school-choice movement, including school vouchers. Janine Yass, a founder of Boys' Latin of Philadelphia Charter School, said she and her husband had followed the district's controversial closing process and felt compelled to create a pathway for strong educational options for vulnerable families.
“No child should be trapped in a school that is unsafe, underperforming, or unable to meet basic academic standards simply because his or her family lacks financial means," Janine Yass said in a statement.
The scholarships will offer 500 students a free ride at 16 Philadelphia schools -- mostly Catholic schools -- that have won funds from the Yass Prize organization.
We hope Scholarship Granting Organizations that accept contributions under Trump's new federal tax credit program follow Jeff and Janine's lead and take this concept national.
We also hope that the billionaire class in America stops giving its money to the trendy causes like the Environmental Defense Fund, the corrupt Southern Poverty Law Center and the Sierra Club and starts donating to projects like this that will improve the lives of real families.
