Can we improve education with vouchers, charter schools, private scholarships? Let's study what works.

Not long ago, the major problems in education were talking, chewing gum, running in the halls, and litter. The educational system in the United States was unparalleled in terms of opportunity, quality, and achievement.

Today the major problems are guns, drug abuse, suicide, pregnancy, rape, assault and robbery. U.S. students score 19^th out of 21 industrial nations in average math and science scores. In fact, nearly one third of American students score "below basic" is six core subjects: reading, writing, history, math, science, and geography.

The National Assessment of Education Program (NAEP) reports that there has been a startling drop in average achievement scores in the U.S. since 1963.

Weaknesses in public education are familiar ones: poor academic achievement, conflicts over curriculum, ineffective methods, financial mismanagement, and a growing inability to meet the needs of individual families.

Public education is a cornerstone of American life, and the right of every citizen. Unfortunately, the current system is not providing our children with the highest standard of education that they deserve. When our public schools system fails to achieve its purpose, students fail to fulfill their potential.

The institution of public schooling is a means of fulfilling our education goals and ideals. It should stand, fail, or be reformed based on how well it satisfies those goals and ideals.

Tradition political solutions: more money, more tests, new books or new schools have failed to reverse this trend.

It is obvious that there is a widening gap between our ideals and reality when less than 20% of parents would give their children's public school an "A" compared to 60% of private school parents.

Neglect and deterioration of old schools is compounding the problem.

Addressing the mounting education crisis in this nation is a priority for every American, and a chief tenant of the Reform Party. But, what solution is the right one? How can we be sure?

First, no option should be ruled out completely until it has been thoroughly pilot-tested and evaluated. Second, education is not a one-size-fits-all practice. What works want in a rural town may not necessarily work well in a large city.

Local school districts must be aware of all choices and be free to implement solutions that will address the needs of their students, parents, and community. Whether local communities choose to improve current operations or adopt a modern alternative, the control of funding must be local.

Some modern options include: full school choice, private scholarships, and charter schools.

Full School Choice: These "voucher" programs, or just vouchers, provide parents with a portion of their states per child educational funding, allowing them to use those funds at ANY school they choose, including religious, parochial, magnet, or other private or public schools.

These voucher programs have been tested by school districts in several states.

Private Scholarships: These have existed in several communities for some time. Students from low income families are enrolled in a scholarship program that is paid for by private organizations, individuals, and religious or civic groups. These scholarships allow some students from poor families to attend private schools they could not otherwise afford. Currently, 49 U.S. cities provide private scholarship programs.

Charter Schools: These public schools have been independently organized by educators and parents and are sponsored by local school districts, colleges, universities, and communities. They are funded by a percentage of their states per pupil education budget. Charter schools operate with autonomy from state regulation, held accountable by their own charters, standards of excellence, and to parents.

Alternatives that limit bureaucratic interference, and allow parents, students, and teachers to provide excellence and accountability should be fully explored.

Opponents of public school alternatives warn of inequality and of a possible collapse of public education.

Further study is required, but early indicators suggest that current educational alternatives are yielding higher test scores.

Other key elements to improving public education include: Demanding fiscal responsibility of school districts by requiring published expenditure reports; An end to social promotions, requiring high standards for students; English immersion, phasing out unfair bilingual education.

As a former teacher, I know that a most important goal is to get parents more involved at the local level with the educational process. Our children are too important to leave totally to others, as professional as they may be.

Education has become dangerously politicized and bureaucratized in the hands of the two-party system. The Reform Party is committed to promoting an independent, non-partisan dialogue to carefully examine and take action on this critical issue.

The federal government is well positioned to give statistical information on performance, but spending and control should be governed locally.

Federal, state, and local governments have a role to play in ensuring equal access, but Washington must reduce its requirements for federal funds and control must be returned to the people at a local level.

Children receive an education from their parents and teachers, not from their federal government. Educational choices must remain in those hands: parents and teachers, not governments.

For more detailed information visit:

The Center for Education Reform

Rethinking Schools

School Choices