For them, the threat of vouchers actually may be proving more valuable than their actual implementation. This past year, for example, none of the schools in the state's 67 districts flunked. But, at the same time, Bush is offering a another goodie that may not be as helpful to schools that need help the most. Instead it could be a big bonus to the middle class. This has a great chance of passing Congress, since a similar bill sponsored by Sen. Paul Coverdell, a Georgia Republican who died last year, passed Congress twice, only to be vetoed both times by President Clinton.
Tax breaks have a better chance of surviving court tests than vouchers do.
Minnesota, Arizona, Illinois and Iowa have adopted or expanded tax credits to help finance private and religious schooling and six others are considering similar legislation for educational tax breaks. After all, tax breaks don't provide much help to parents who are too poor to pay much in the way of taxes. So if Bush wants to do something really exciting, he will keep the focus of his school reform on the schools and communities and parents who need help the most, not just those who provide the most votes. Then, as Samuel Johnson might say, he can do something truly great. Clarence Page is a columnist with the Chicago Tribune.