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CER Letter to the Editor
FIGHT OVER VOUCHERS WILL GO ON
By Jeanne Allen
Miami Herald, January 22, 2001
National Education Association President Bob Chase's Jan. 9 column, "Word from voters: No vouchers," ignores several compelling results from that same election. Florida is a case in point.
Education Commissioner Charlie Crist, a supporter of the Florida Opportunity Scholarships, was elected to the position with 54 percent of the vote. In Escambia County, where children in two failing schools are offered opportunity scholarships to the school of their choice, the newly elected school superintendent supports the A+ Plan. In the Panhandle, where the A+ Plan has had the greatest impact, the state representative who led the opposition to the plan was defeated.
Results of the voucher ballot initiatives in Michigan and California remind us that Americans are uncomfortable voting directly on an issue that would dramatically change the way schools do business. They are more comfortable increasing money and resources to schools, which may have little impact on how schools perform but sounds as American as apple pie.
The A+ program offers accountability and funding to improve schools and scholarships for students in failing schools. It has resulted in improvements in Florida schools but was attacked by the education establishment for one key component: opportunity scholarships.
The NEA spends millions in court and public-relations campaigns to defeat reforms like choice, accountability and standards. That money should be spent to create effective remedial programs for children who aren't learning.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Allen
President
The Center for Education Reform
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See also: SCHOOL CHOICE IS HERE TO STAY; PUBLIC TRIES IT, LIKES IT.
The Center for Education Reform [CER] is a national, independent, non-profit advocacy organization providing support and guidance to individuals, community and civic groups, policymakers and others who are working to bring fundamental reforms to their schools. For additional information on education reform please call CER at (202) 822-9000.