Arizona’s children are perhaps our most important natural resource. It is, therefore, appropriate that families and communities make tremendous sacrifices so that our children are able to achieve their maximum potential.
We all want our children to succeed and agree that providing a quality education is absolutely essential. Toward this end, it is important to recognize that kids are different and that what works best for one child may not work well for another.
Parents are charged with a tremendous responsibility as the primary educators of their children. This responsibility includes the tough decision of where to educate their children, including the possibility of homeschooling. Ultimately, it is parents who best understand their children’s needs and where they are most likely to succeed.
Historically, however, it has been the case that parents too often are not able to make the optimal choice for their child’s education because of a lack of quality choices.
It is for this reason that we support adequate funding of our entire school system so that parents sending their children to public schools can choose amongst quality district and charter schools. Similarly, our support goes to the parents who find that excellent religious or other private schools are the best options for their children, but who are in need of financial assistance to make this choice a reality.
Proposition 305 is a modest effort to expand the Empowerment Scholarship Account program to help parents, especially those with limited resources, make the best educational choices for their children. When parents have more quality choices, it makes our educational system better and we all win.
Accordingly, the Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference are proud to support Proposition 305 so that more children will have the freedom of choice to attend the school that best fits their needs.
Most Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger
Bishop of Tucson
Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted
Bishop of Phoenix
Most Rev. Eduardo A. Nevares
Auxiliary Bishop of Phoenix
Most Rev. James S. Wall
Bishop of Gallup
Most Rev. John S. Pazak
Holy Protection of Mary
Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix
