Giuliani, Pawlenty talk school choice
School Choice Virginia Chairman, Delegate Chris Saxman, traveled to Chicago last week for GOPAC’s healthcare summit. While there, he had the opportunity to talk to several leaders from around the country on the topic of education and school choice. We asked Delegate Saxman to give us a quick update.
SCVa: We know that the summit was focused on healthcare, but we understand that you did get a chance to talk to at least a few folks about school choice.
Saxman: Yes, we had some time at lunch and between sessions, and I had a chance to talk with both Governor Pawlenty and Mayor Giuliani about education reform issues.
SCVa: Can you give us a quick recap?
Saxman: Giuliani basically said that vouchers are a key reason why higher education does so well and K-12 does not. Lack of public-private collaboration and no choice hurt education.
Pawlenty echoes comments from Newt Gingrich and Al Sharpton that school choice is the #1 civil rights issue of the 21st century and said that forcing someone to go to a bad school is “disgraceful.”
He told those in attendance (as reported by Politico.com):
“We have an educational system in the United States that isn’t cash for clunkers, it’s clash for flunkers,” he said. “This idea in this country that anyone is forced to go to a bad school is disgraceful.”
“This is the civil rights issue of our time,” he said, describing the plight of inner city schools and urging the state lawmakers in the crowd to address the lower performances of schools in some of their states more depressed areas. “It is a disgrace and it is a moral imperative…we need to rise up and fix this.”
SCVa: Any other thoughts?
Saxman: It was great talking with both of these guys. You can tell that they both believe in school choice- we need more leaders in every level of government who are willing to stand up and fight for education reforms that will give parents greater access to educational options. We need leaders willing to stand up to the status quo and challenge the system to do what is right for our kids and their future.
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