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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2000

News Release

Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Ohio Voucher "Scheme"

Court Calls Cleveland Voucher Program a Misuse of Taxpayer Money

Washington, D.C. -- The National Education Association (NEA) hailed today's decision by a federal appeals court to strike down Cleveland, Ohio's ill-advised voucher plan. The court ruled that the city's voucher program was a misuse of taxpayer money. The ruling states: "This scheme involves the grant of state aid directly and predominantly to the coffers of the private, religious schools..."

NEA President Bob Chase said that Ohio lawmakers should heed the decision and the message delivered by voters last month and devote their energies to improving public schools. "The overwhelming defeat of vouchers in California and Michigan is the most compelling evidence yet that parents and the public dislike and distrust the idea of diverting taxpayer money to private schools," said Chase. "Children and taxpayers would be much better served by proven education reforms that serve all children. Now it is time to focus on improving opportunity for all students, rather than being engaged in divisive and counterproductive battles."

Further, Chase noted that vouchers fail the ultimate test of any education reform -- student achievement. "On that score, the Cleveland program fails miserably," said Chase. "Voucher students at some of the newly established private schools in Cleveland are achieving at significantly lower levels than public school students in all subjects." The troubled two-year program has also suffered from financial abuse and mismanagement.

"It's clear that the public wants to invest in improving America's public schools, where 90 percent of children attend," said Chase. "Let's unite behind children and public schools and invest in programs we know work, like smaller class sizes, safe and modern schools, quality preschool, and after-school help for students who need it."

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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.