Raven McPherson

My name is Raven McPherson, and I am a parent and constituent writing in opposition to HB 1803. My family has been blessed to be a recipient of both the Education Freedom Account and the Education Tax Credit scholarship since 2020. These two programs do not duplicate one another. Together, they have made it possible for my child to access an education that meets his needs and allows him to thrive. My oldest son, Oliver, was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three. At that time, he was nonverbal and required multiple therapies each week. When COVID shut down schools nationwide, Oliver was just about to begin pre-kindergarten. Remote learning is challenging for any child, but for a preschooler with autism, it was simply not a viable option. I made the difficult decision to homeschool him so he would not fall behind during a critical developmental period. As a single mother, this decision would not have been possible without the support of the EFA. That funding allowed me to purchase curriculum, educational materials, and resources that helped Oliver grow academically and developmentally during an incredibly uncertain time. When schools reopened, Oliver was ready for first grade. While I am grateful for the time I spent teaching him, continuing to homeschool was no longer realistic as I cared for the rest of my family. More importantly, Oliver needed something I could not fully provide at home: consistent social interaction and a structured classroom environment. Oliver found his home at Cardinal Lacroix Academy, a local private Catholic school that offers small class sizes, individualized attention, and an exceptional education. With the combined support of the EFA and the ETC scholarship, Oliver was able to attend this school and receive what he needed to succeed. Tuition, uniforms, school supplies, and tutoring were all made possible through these programs. This is not something I could have afforded on my own. Today, Oliver is in 5th grade at Cardinal Lacroix Academy. He earns straight A’s. He has a close group of friends. He has built strong, meaningful relationships with teachers who understand him and have supported him over several years. I am deeply thankful for the progress he has made, and I hope he will be able to complete his elementary education as a 6th grader next year in the environment where he is thriving. None of this would have been possible without access to both the EFA and the ETC scholarship. Passing HB 1803 would halt life-changing progress for children like Oliver by forcing families to choose between two supports that were designed to work together. This bill would place an unnecessary and harmful barrier in front of students who are succeeding under the current system. I urge you to listen to testimonies like mine and consider the real families and children affected by this decision. Please vote no on HB 1803 and protect the educational opportunities that are helping children succeed. Remember, our children are the future. Respectfully, Raven McPherson Parent and constituent