Partial Scholarships Bring Choice to Education
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
— Albert Einstein, 1879-1955
Nurturing imagination is the goal of the Children's Scholarship Fund of Kansas City. Founded in 1998 by Ted Forstman and John Walton, CSF gives low-income families a choice about where imagination—and knowledge—are conceived.
"Choice is part of what America is founded on," director of development Troy Campbell says. "Our success depends on choice. Competition is a product of that. When schools compete for students, the students win."
Born from a national shrinking confidence in public schools, the Children's Scholarship Fund chose 40 communities across the nation to receive partial tuition scholarships for private K-8 schools. In the first year of operation, the Kansas City fund received 11,000 applications.
For the 2002-2003 academic year the fund distributed more than 1800 scholarships based on a randomized system. Scholarships are awarded in 25, 50 and 75 percent tuition assistance.
"We really depend on local donations," Campell says. "And when you think about it, a donation is effectively triple because we get a match from the national program and the parents typically pay a third—money that otherwise may not have been spent on education."
The scholarships give developing students a chance to learn in an environment where they feel safe and teachers respect them and their parents.
When participating children were polled against non-participating children by Harvard University's Kennedy School, nearly 20 percent of the students felt unsafe in public schools while zero percent felt unsafe in private schools. Private schools also showed a dramatic gap in availability of individual tutors and after-school programs.
Program participants report more comfort with class lessons and homework, which shows in test score performances, particularly in the African-American community. Students also report increased exposure to different cultures.
Results like these create smiles on the faces of parents with no other option to improve their children's education. With an average family income of $26,668, these low-income families can't afford to pay for private school alone, or move to a neighborhood with a school they feel comfortable sending their children to.
"One of the best things about us, is we never give 100 percent tuition," Campbell says. "That means the parents have to make an investment, they have to be involved and make a sacrifice for their child's education."
In the end, knowledge truly is power, and a powerful tool to building a better society for everyone. The Children's Scholarship Fund of Kansas City is reaching toward that goal.
You are invited to make a difference in the future of education. Contact the Children's Scholarship Fund by e-mail at info@csf-kc.com or by phone at 816.795.8643. Visit their Web site at www.csf-kc.com.