Under the Bush plan, Florida schools will be graded. The Supreme Court has indicated it is not hostile to the school-choice concept. Thirty-four states and Washington, D.C., have passed charter school legislation. Forty cities are involved, with more sure to come. The response has been tremendous, quieting some politicians who have claimed the poor don't want vouchers or scholarships.
Early studies indicate positive achievement when students and parents get to choose.
I am against public schools where educational mediocrity goes unchallenged. That's the point. Gov. Jeb Bush is opening previously locked doors to opportunity and hope. If the new law survives court challenges, there will be no stopping school choice. Children will initially benefit, but in the long run so will teachers and administrators because the system will be competitive and will foster improvement.