THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 13, 1994 TAG: 9411110018
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
The Oct. 24 public hearing in Newport News, held by Gov. Allen's Champion Schools Commission, showed that there are many citizens who support parental choice in education policies such as educational tax credits and vouchers. Most of these school-choice supporters were parents who desire to choose a school that is best for their children. Many mentioned that school choice would bring the competition needed to improve all schools.
Citizens strongly feel that they as parents should have control over the most important educational decisions that can be made for their children. School choice would transfer power from government bureaucrats to parents, and would also maximize parental involvement.
A good educational tax-credit program is not aid to private schools; it is aid to parents, the great majority of whom desperately need financial assistance so that they can choose a school where their children will thrive. Parents want the broadest range of choices for their children. Most parents today have no choice except the government-run public schools, many of which have poor academic standards and/or are unsafe.
I have read many newspaper reports of guns, violence, drugs and sexual abuse at public schools. But since public schools have a dangerous and destructive monopoly on all K-12 education tax dollars, most parents cannot afford to choose private schools.
The most important question is: ``What is best for children?'' If students can receive a better education in a non-government private school, then we should help make the benefits and alternatives of private schools available to them.
The GI Bill was a voucher program that paid veterans to attend public, private or religious colleges. It was great for all veterans and for all colleges. School choice would do the same for all children.
PHIL WYNE
Norfolk, Nov. 1, 1994 by CNB