Parental Empowerment/School Choice has been one of few bright spots on the political/cultural horizon thus far in 2023. In contrast to the host of radical, often blatantly anti-Christian proposals that have been introduced, and some advanced, in our Minnesota State Legislature and the Congress, the ground-swell of resistance to the widespread dishonoring of parents is welcome indeed. Specifically, the renewed call to treat parents as full partners in their child’s education and to give them the financial ability to freely choose in what type of school (public, charter, religious or home) that education will occur, is truly astounding.

Polls consistently indicate large majorities (80%+) who favor putting parents back in charge. And, not surprisingly, politicians in many states are following suit --- with 4 states (IA, UT, FL, AR) passing legislation to create Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) already this year, and many more seriously considering them.

One of the individuals helping to drive this movement forward is Prof. Corey DeAngelis. A researcher, writer, and well-known public spokesman for school choice, he has been instrumental in informing both the public and politicians across the country about the great benefit realized by everyone when government stops funding huge bureaucratic systems and, instead, begins funding students – when “dollars begin to follow scholars” – as they do with ESAs.

On Wednesday, May 10, Corey DeAngelis will be the featured speaker at a dinner event held at the Radisson Hotel Capitol Ridge in St. Paul (5 – 8 pm). We hope you’ll take this opportunity to hear Corey and others speak about the tremendous promise of ESAs in Minnesota, as well as, to hear about the significant school choice advances that have already been made in other states across the country.

At a time when Christian education is being increasingly sought, this event offers all concerned – parents, educators, grandparents, pastors, and legislators -- a great opportunity: to learn more about the abilities of this potent new tool to reinstate parents as the primary authority in their children’s lives and to advance the proclamation of the Gospel through our Lutheran schools across the state.       

Please register for the event soon, as it will sell out. To register, go to americanexperiment.org/events. The dinner event is $35 per person with each person receiving a free copy of Corey’s latest book, “Mediocrity.”

This event is sponsored by OAK (Opportunity for All Kids), the Center of the American Experiment and the Minnesota Parent Alliance.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.

In Christ,
Rev. Fredric Hinz
fred.hinz@mnsdistrict.org
507-317-9634

Public Policy Advocate
Minnesota South and North Districts   
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod