Arizona Supreme Court: State School Choice Program Is Constitutional

Court`s Stance a Big Victory for Disadvantaged Children
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Arizona`s Corporate School Tuition Organization Tax Credit Program is
constitutional, the Arizona Supreme Court indicated in a decision yesterday. The
Alliance for School Choice and Advocates for School Choice applauded the Arizona
Supreme Court`s action, which denied a request to hear an appeal of the March
2009 decision in Green v Garriott-a decision that upheld the program`s
constitutionality. The scholarship tax credit program provides increased
educational opportunities to 1,947 disadvantaged children throughout the Grand
Canyon State.

Green v Garriott was originally filed in September of 2006 by the Arizona School
Boards Association and the American Civil Liberties Union.

"This action by the state Supreme Court marks the end of a long legal battle and
demonstrates a clear victory for school choice in Arizona," said Betsy DeVos,
Chairman of the Alliance for School Choice and Advocates for School Choice.
"Most importantly, this decision is a victory for low-income children in Arizona
and for parents who seek to choose the best schools for their children."

Yesterday`s decision marks the second time that the state`s highest court has
affirmed that the corporate school tuition organization tax credit is
constitutional.

The Institute for Justice successfully defended the program on behalf of the
Arizona School Choice Trust, a nonprofit school tuition organization (STO) that
receives contributions to fund private school scholarships for low-income
children.

More than 16 STOs are operating under the Corporate School Tuition Organization
Tax Credit, and 156 schools accept students who receive scholarships from the
program.

The Alliance for School Choice and Advocates for School Choice work to promote
public policy advancing school choice and education reform in numerous states
throughout the country, as well as in the District of Columbia. For more
information, visit www.AllianceForSchoolChoice.org

Alliance for School Choice
Andrew Campanella, 202-276-1303
Senior Communications Advisor
andrew@ccgstrategies.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009