Betrayed
Walter Williams brings us another good look at the fight for school choice in our nation’s capital with this article in Capitalism Magazine: “Obama’s Betrayal of Education.”
Some may argue the title is a bit harsh, but let’s look at it from the perspective of the thousands of children that have been trapped in the failing DC public school system. As Mr. Williams points out, the DC public schools are not underfunded (spending is nearly 50% above the national average), teachers are the highest paid in the nation (approximately $15,000 more annually!), and the teacher-student ration is better than the national average. Yes, by nearly every measure of performance- to say these schools underperform would be a serious understatement. In most every category, DC ranks last behind every other state.
As readers of this blog well know, DC families are now fighting to save the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program. This program costs a fraction of the cost of the DC public schools- and gives students and their families choice and hope for a brighter future. Yet, many in Congress are working to terminate the program. The President and Secretary Duncan have already denied scholarships to 216 students who had been promised them earlier this year, and it is not clear if they will work to continue the program at all.
As Mr. Williams writes, “For people in power to tolerate the Washington, D.C. school system is despicable. For a black president to do so might qualify as betrayal.”
Our kids deserve better. We cannot continue to accept a status quo that is failing our children and our families.
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