Keep Hope Alive

President Barack Obama, when he was candidate Obama, seemed willing to keep an open mind about the D.C. voucher program. "If there was any argument for vouchers, it was, 'Let's see if it works,' " he said in February 2008, "and if it does, whatever my preconception, you do what's best for kids."

Trouble is, Congress has passed legislation shaped by Sen. Dick Durbin and others that likely kills the D.C. voucher program. So the timing of the new findings, with their positive news about the program's effects on students and parents, is unfortunate. As Manhattan Institute education researcher Jay Greene told The Wall Street Journal, "There are transition difficulties, a culture shock upon entering a school where you're expected to pay attention, learn, do homework. But these results fit a pattern that we've seen in other evaluations of vouchers. Benefits compound over time."

Tribune editorial. Read it all. Who will stand up for these kids?

Who will keep hope alive?

Arne Duncan are you listening--of the private Chicago Lab school and Harvard? Dick Durbin are you listening? President Obama?

Voices of School Choice:


Previous posts: Do as I say Dems, Rev. Isaac Hayes on DC Choice, The Early-Ed Big Lie, Spare us the phony concern, Dems Kill Choice for Kids in DC, Eric in your face Holder, An Education Challenge, CPS: 94% Failure Rate, Michelle's Choice, The Education Solution.