Federal Legislative Update
August 2003

August 14, 2003

8/14/03

News from Capitol Hill...

Action alert!

Tell Congress: "Don't gamble with kids. Just say 'NO' to DC vouchers."

Voucher vote draws closer

Congress returns on September 2 from the August holiday. Votes on private and religious school tuition vouchers in the nation's capital top the House's agenda. A Senate vote is pending also.

Voucher politics in your home community?

President Bush supports the private school tuition grants. "It is the beginning of an experiment that will show whether or not private school choice makes a difference in quality education in public schools. I happen to believe it will," the President said.

Voucher proposals were introduced and rejected in 12 state legislatures this year. A voucher plan became law in Colorado. The President envisions a showcase voucher program in the nation's capitol as sparking new momentum nationwide for such programs.

Gambling with kids

Supporters argue that private school tuition vouchers improve student achievement. But more than a decade of experience and independent studies have yet to link student achievement to voucher schools. Objective studies funded by the Wisconsin and Ohio legislatures showed that voucher students performed at levels comparable to students in their neighborhood public schools.

Schools in every community are struggling to meet new federal requirements, even as community resources to help struggling families and disadvantaged children are slashed to balance budgets. Vouchers add nothing to the mix, except an expensive and divisive distraction from real solutions.

Every student deserves a great public school

Parents and teachers know what makes a real difference in the lives of children -- access to early childhood education, including full-day kindergarten; reduced class sizes; and expanded access to teacher training that helps teachers expand their knowledge and improved their skills.

Tell Congress: "The District of Columbia schools serve real people. Every child in the nation's capital deserves a great public school. Don't make them political pawns. Don't 'experiment' with them. Focus on real solutions. Just say 'NO' to DC vouchers."

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