Florida's School Choice

The New York Times ^ | 6/23/02 | Gov. Jeb Bush

[walrus954]

To the Editor:

Re "Voucher Program Gets Failing Grade in Special Ed," by Richard Rothstein (Lessons column, June 19): It is most encouraging that a critic of school choice cites as his lone horror story the tale of Ramona Marsh, the Florida parent who transferred her special-needs child out of a private school — and into another private school!

Ms. Marsh illustrates that for the first time in our state, parents at all income levels now have options that for years have been accessible only to the very rich.

Indeed, another way we provide choice in Florida is through our corporate tax credit program, through which businesses receive tax credit for scholarships they finance for low-income children to attend private schools. So much for the claim that choice functions only as "a subsidy for the relatively affluent."

Her story also refutes the suggestion that the progress of students in private schools is not "monitored." It is monitored every day by parents like Ms. Marsh who clearly can be trusted to make the best choices for their special-needs children.

JEB BUSH

Governor

Tallahassee, Fla., June 21, 2002

[summer]

The NYT article Gov Bush wrote about is posted in full at the end of this editorial I wrote:

The New Math of the NYT Education Columnist, Richard Rothstein:
2+1="2" (and not "3")

[clasquith]

the supreme court decision in favor of vouchers, which came down this morning, will be a boost for vouchers in florida and everywhere.