The other danger is that even if private schools are included in the final legislation, they could become ensnared in suffocating federal red tape. The Bush proposal seeks to subject private schools to the onerous array of federal civil rights laws. While it is important to protect the civil rights of students and counter opponents of the bill who will raise civil rights as an issue, compliance with the six civil rights statutes could be used by Congress or a future administration effectively to ban private school participation in the program. The fear of onerous federal regulation could cause many private schools to refuse to participate. Schools would realize that even if the bill passes through Congress intact, and even if the White House drafts reasonable regulations, there is no guarantee that future administrations will not use the regulation clause to increase red tape.
Parental choice is crucial to any improvement in American education.
Until parents have the power and right to choose the best school for their child, America's education system will continue to fail. The GI Bill for Children is a bold and innovative, but risky, vehicle for increasing choice. It can bring real reform only if George Bush gives the legislation his strongest support. In the meantime, Bush must signal Congress that he is determined to promote choice in education and insist that Congress include choice provisions in the America 2000 legislation, soon to be voted on by the House. Bush has provided Congress with an innovative plan that could radically improve American education.