Empowering Education Freedom in Montana
When Trish Schreiber – a veteran educator – moved to Montana, she discovered the current education system failed to do what it promised. The state constitution’s asserts it will establish “a system of education which will develop the full educational potential of each person.” However, Montana’s education system was marred by plummeting student performance and a lack of educational options.
Trish joined forces with Americans for Prosperity to transform her vision of education freedom into a reality. Together, they pioneered legislation that allowed the development of charter schools and gave students more opportunities to obtain a high-quality education.
Montana’s Classrooms in Crisis
When Trish moved to Montana, she was excited and ready to experience the wild west. She found herself surrounded by rugged mountain peaks, expansive valleys, and cold, crisp creeks. But as beautiful as Montana was, Trish knew the state was still operating under a one-size-fits-all education model that limited student achievement.
“I was shocked to find out that Montana did not have a charter school law,” Trish recalls. The public school system lacked the fiscal accountability and high-performance standards that define charter schools. Students and parents had little to no choice when it came to schooling options: they could either stay in their assigned school, pay thousands of dollars to attend a private school, or homeschool — an impossible option for many families.
Trish deeply believes in empowering students to define their own educational pathways, so she instantly rolled up her sleeves. She joined efforts with four likeminded changemakers to form Community Choice Schools Montana (CCSM) with the goal of opening a tuition-free private school — given charter schools were not yet able to open and operate — and eventually changing the laws.
Trish soon realized that if you change the law and open a pathway for charter schools, then the impact is exponential.
CCSM dove into education policy, unearthing past charter school attempts, dissecting legal hurdles, and eventually drafting a charter school bill that would expand education opportunities in the state. But despite their unwavering dedication, CCSM was up against a fierce and well-funded opposition. Both teacher unions and the Montana Federation of Public Employees, the largest and most powerful union in the state, took up arms against the charter school bill.
If Trish and CCSM were going to win over the hearts and minds of families and legislators, they would need help from an organization with a proven record of effectively bringing groundbreaking change.
AFP Joins the Crusade
Henry Kriegel, Legislative Director for Americans for Prosperity Montana, met Trish through the Montana Education Freedom Coalition (MEFC), which he launched in January 2022 to leverage the energy of parents fighting to transform education in the state. He suggested Trish attend a Grassroots Leadership Academy training to sharpen her grassroots outreach skills. The training opened Trish’s eyes to cutting-edge tactics for mobilizing community members and empowering them to act. From there, a lasting partnership was built.
Entering the fight, AFP tapped their coalition partners and activated their network, forming the Montana Education Freedom Coalition to fight on behalf of students and parents. From there, they mobilized community members, delivered powerful testimony, and spearheaded shapeshifting conversations with key lawmakers who had influence over the matter.
Once Trish joined forces with AFP, her modest group of five changemakers grew into an impenetrable force of over 500 activists, teachers, and parents.
AFP’s expertise and intensity, paired with their dedicated army of volunteers and activists, industry-leading technology, and unmatched grassroots mobilization tactics, helped to secure their victory with the help of their coalition partners. In May 2023, the governor signed HB 562, effectively forming a charter school system in the state, a step towards putting parents and students at the center of their education decisions.
If you want to get involved in your community and amplify your voice, look no further. Contact Americans for Prosperity and join the movement today.
