It's Friday so that means school choice news. Remember that it was on a Friday that Arne Duncan kicked out newly admitted students to the Washington Opportunity Scholarship Program and it was also on this day of the week that the Education Department released positive findings regarding academic achievement of children receiving vouchers.
Word was received yesterday from D.C. Children First that the Senate has introduced a bipartisan bill that would re-authorize the Opportunity Scholarship Program for five more years. The names of those signing on are interesting and include Senators Lieberman (ID-CT), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), George Voinovich (R-OH), Robert Byrd (D-WV) and John Ensign (R-NV). The legislation would continue the infamous three-sector approach to education policy in the city with charters, DCPS, and vouchers receiving more money. The House has also introduced a bill continuing the private school scholarships.
The law is needed, especially since the editors of the Wall Street Journal say today that the President's "Race to the Top" spending plan will be mostly that and will have little impact of fixing the public schools.
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