On August 24, 1999 U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr., drew a line in the sand! In a ruling which will have profound effects for existing and future 'voucher' programs and 'school choice', the learned judge called a halt to Cleveland's school voucher program, leaving thousands of students and their parents in educational limbo on the first day of school.
The People For the American Way Foundation declared victory, and cited the participating schools' inherent religious orientation as the basis for the PFAW suit which triggered the federal court ruling. The Center for Education Reform deplored the injunction, stating that "This is yet another example of the education establishment's double standard."
An appeal is in the works. The Institute for Justice filed immediately to overturn the injunction, their legal director stating, "We will not let this decision stand without a fight." In Arizona and Wisconsin efforts by the American Civil Liberties, People for the American Way, and state education associations to overturn voucher programs have been rebuffed.
Stay tuned! It's a tough issue. It boils down to two questions:
Should we spend tax dollars to reduce public school class size, which many people feel is the key to educational improvement?
or
Should we give parents a modest voucher which permits them to choose a school they feel will best educate their children?
Stay tuned! We will be debating this
subject for many years to come! In the meantime please stop by the Private
Schools Forum and express your views on this important subject.
--Rob Kennedy, Private Schools Guide
