Now the 107th faces the challenge. But this train could be headed for a wreck over the voucher issue. One strong-willed faction mostly Republicans believes school choice is the crucial ingredient of reform and should be imposed across the land. Another implacable group mainly Democrats insists vouchers are the death knell for public education and must be blocked from even the tiniest foothold in federal policy. Both are wrong.
Vouchers are neither miracle cure nor disaster.
But feelings run deep, political alliances are strong and prospects for bipartisan agreement look bleak. We should begin by acknowledging two facts of life. First, big education decisions in America are made by states, communities, schools and families, not by Washington. And in the past three decades, people have reached varied conclusions about school choice. In others, you re free to enroll in any public school in town or even in nearby districts.