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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2000

News Release

Voters Resoundingly Reject Vouchers

California and Michigan votes confirm wide opposition to vouchers

Washington, D.C. -- "The overwhelming defeat of private school tuition vouchers in California and Michigan is the most compelling evidence yet that parents and the public dislike and distrust the idea of public support for private schools," said Bob Chase, president of the 2.5-million member National Education Association.

"Elections are the polls that really matter," Chase said. "The resounding defeat of vouchers in Michigan and California should put an end to the myth that voters want vouchers. Clearly, what parents and the public want are good public schools in their neighborhoods."

In recent years, millions of dollars have been spent promoting vouchers. In these two campaigns alone, voucher advocates spent approximately $45 million to convince voters that private school tuition vouchers are a mechanism for school reform. In addition, foundations and individuals spend millions more to promote vouchers through lopsided policy studies, media outreach, and advertising.

"The public has no enthusiasm for new voucher 'experiments,'" Chase said. "Americans are unified in their support for investments in improving public schools where 90 percent of America's children attend."

"We support direct efforts to improve rural and urban schools that are struggling," Chase said. "Things would be much better for children if we concentrated on improving opportunity for all students, rather than being engaged in divisive and counterproductive battles.

"Research and common sense tell us the same thing. Investments in reducing class size, aligning high standards with classroom practices, and attracting, retaining, and supporting good teachers are what make the difference."

Chase said that in the coming months, NEA and its affiliates will work with policymakers and the general public to develop and implement comprehensive school improvement efforts in "high priority" schools in communities where schools and students are struggling.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support personnel, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.