These are exciting times for school choice supporters. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend one of several meetings in South Carolina hosted by the SC Policy Council (and other policy organizations). The meetings were intended to introduce the public to the “Put Parents in Charge Act” (PPIC), a measure that would provide a scholarship tax credit for lower-income families contributing to a scholarship-granting organization. Support for this measure in South Carolina is strong — in 2005, PPIC is expected to pass in the General Assembly, and be signed into law by Governor Mark Sanford, a key ally.

At last week’s meeting, Ed McMullin, president of the SC Policy Council, shared results from his organization’s survey data on choice, confirming that a sea of change has taken place in public opinion. Fifteen years ago, only 4 percent of South Carolinians surveyed favored government assistance for families choosing to send their children to non-public schools. After years of an effective public education campaign, however, a whopping 64 percent now support this idea. More and more citizens are beginning to understand the value of introducing free-market principles into K-12 education.

While South Carolina is bringing heightened visibility to the choice issue, other individuals have toiled for years to promote the merits of choice as a viable reform option.

• Economists Milton and Rose Friedman envisioned the concept of a competitive education marketplace in the 1950s, leading to the eventual founding of their organization, the Friedman Foundation. The Friedman Foundation educates the public about the advantages of choice, and promotes choice efforts around the country. Their website is one of the best sources for information on the choice movement, answering questions and providing quality research to the public.

• The Black Alliance for Education Options (BAEO) sees their role as empowering families and providing quality education options for black children. BAEO has been instrumental in pulling choice supporters together across party lines.

• The Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (CREO), has recently organized to educate Spanish-speaking citizens about the empowering role of choice. They have been tremendously successful in mobilizing concerned parents in Texas.

• The School Choice Alliance (a reorganization of a number of smaller groups including Children First America) is a national nonprofit organization working with states and other targeted groups to advance public policies supporting education options.

• All Children Matter is a national organization whose mission it is to focus on the election of public officials committed to the enactment of school choice legislation.

In addition to these advocacy organizations, another group has played a critical role in advancing the choice movement. The Institute for Justice, a civil liberties law firm founded in 1991, has been a staunch ally for parents from all over the country, defending choice programs against legal challenges brought by the education establishment.

While the choice movement in North Carolina is clearly in its nascent stage, I believe change is coming. Our South Carolina neighbors provide compelling proof that the public is receptive to the idea of choice. Clearly, the issue now is not if school choice will be available in North Carolina, but when.