SMYRNA - American Federation for Children (AFC), a national organization that works to provide families with the freedom to choose the best K-12 education for their children, recently unveiled the “Education Freedom Pledge.” The pledge seeks to unite lawmakers, candidates for office, and voters around the important issue of education freedom. In Tennessee, State Representative Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) was the first lawmaker to sign the pledge.

The Education Freedom Pledge reads: “I pledge to support policies that promote parental rights in education and educational freedom. This includes the right of parents to voice their opinions at school board meetings and to take their children's taxpayer-funded education dollars to the education providers of their choosing - whether it be a public, private, charter, or home school.”

“Parents should be in control of their child’s education, and they have the right to not only make their voices heard, but choose the best educational option that fits their child’s needs,” said Rep. Sparks. “I was proud to sign the pledge, and lend my support to this important cause.”

“We appreciate Rep. Sparks’ enthusiasm in signing this pledge,” said AFC’s Tennessee State Director, John Patton. “When it comes to educational freedom, Rep. Sparks has not ever hesitated and has been a staunch supporter of parents, and students over systems. We look forward to spreading the word about the pledge, and encourage anyone who wants to stand with parents, students, and AFC to sign the pledge.”

For more information about the nationwide effort encouraging lawmakers, candidates, and voters to sign the pledge, please visit www.edfreedompledge.com. 

Representative Mike Sparks represents District 49 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which encompasses part of Rutherford County. He serves on the Education, Commerce, and Finance, Ways and Means Committees. 

The American Federation for Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for parent choice in education. We believe kids and communities thrive when parents can meaningfully choose the best educational environment for their children, so all children, particularly low-income children, have access to a better education—whether that’s at a traditional public school, independent school, public charter school, home school or any other learning environment. For over 25 years, AFC has revolutionized the K-12 system in an effort to take it to a 21st century model where all children, regardless of their socio-economic status, have access to a quality education.

Source: State Rep. Mike Sparks