School-choice advocates in Kentucky should look to Arizona with envy. The state appears to have all its education ducks in a row.

For example, Arizona offers more charter schools per capita than any other state. Kentucky? Zero charter schools.

And Arizona sees more opportunity for school choice:

Arizona took two major steps in the past year, particularly on behalf some students who often have trouble in traditional public schools. Legislation signed by Gov. Janet Napolitano would expand school choice for Arizonas foster children, providing them vouchers to attend schools more able to meet their needs. Another bill grants similar vouchers to Arizonas special-needs children.

The public seems to agree with these moves. A recent poll in Arizona showed that 76 percent of respondents liked the idea of giving vouchers to special-needs children, and 64 percent liked the idea of giving vouchers to foster children.

Another program created in 2006 would provide tax credits for businesses that donate money to organizations that provide student tuition.

Arizona previously offered a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for these donations, a program that already has raised more than $4 million for tuition organizations.

In recent years, Kentucky lawmakers have failed to act when given the opportunity to create tuition-tax credits and a scholarship program for special-needs children.

What the Grand Canyon State demonstrates is that good policy often produces good politics. The public support for these programs make them no-brainers for lawmakers.

The Kentucky politician who makes school choice a key aspect of a campaign for office will likely reap large political rewards.

Sources:

Topline Data; Survey of 503 Adults in Arizona, Alliance for School Choice, December 2006.

Poll Shows Statewide Support for Choice in Arizona by Hilary Masell Oswald, School Reform News, March 1, 2007.

Arizona Continues Reform Efforts by Arizona state Rep. Mark Anderson, School Reform News. March 1, 2007.