Discusses the debate over parental choice in children's education and the use of school vouchers. Presents the views of some important politicians and supporters who have participated in related debates over the last year. Presents findings from studies and asserts that vouchers are good for promoting parental choice. (CW)

Presents an interview with U.S. Secretary of Education Roderick Paige, whose goals for schools are quality education and accountability. Reports that Paige plans to empower districts, schools, and parents in order to serve the needs of students, and that Paige believes private schools are an important option for parents. Discusses the voucher…

Presents July 1992 survey findings regarding 1,239 adults' perceptions of educational quality in public and Catholic schools and attitudes toward parental choice in education. Reports grades given to neighborhood schools and schools nationally, and compares public and Catholic schools on 16 educational factors. Finds support for the voucher…

Traces the history of parental rights in education since the landmark case Pierce vs. the Society of Sisters (1925), when the existence of private schools was validated. States that initiatives promoting parental choice include : (1) tax relief/credits; (2) vouchers or scholarships; (3) public school choice; and (4) home schooling. Provides a…

Asserts that all parents should have a choice in where they send their children to school. Urges public policy makers to take into consideration that funding needs to be offered equally to all of society in order to fully achieve school choice. Emphasizes the need for parent advocacy to be heightened to gain more funding and maintain parental…

Reports on a group of advocates for school choice that took its cause to Capitol Hill and met with mixed response. States that the issue of church-state separation repeatedly comes up in arguments against school choice. Emphasizes that parents must have the freedom to choose what learning environments are best for their children. (CJW)

States that the future of the school choice movement depends upon Catholic educators working in partnership with parents, politicians, and business leaders. Reiterates Pope John Paul II's statement that parents have the right to choose their children's education according to their beliefs, and calls for special advocacy for the rights of…

When forecasting the probable effects of a voucher system on the education of poor Blacks, the majority of authors whose writings were examined concurred that the exercise of educational choice would result in more productive and more responsive educational opportunities for the newly empowered impoverished Black family. (Author)

Summarizes recent judicial and legislative action regarding school choice programs and explains the connection between school choice and the increased discussion of federal education tax credit initiatives. A tax credit would allow beneficiaries to apply the credit amount toward yearly federal tax liability and, if the credit is refundable,…

Explains "educational choice," a funding policy giving parents the option to select their child's educational environment without financial penalty, and its importance to the American educational system. Suggests activities for supporters of educational choice, including raising awareness, dispelling misinformation, encouraging others to act, and…

Discusses the role that Political Action Committees (PACs) have played in school choice initiatives in public school systems nationwide. Suggests that the popular sentiment is in favor of school choice but that the PACs, through their overwhelming resources, are preventing its implementation in school districts nationwide. (MAB)

Describes the current status of the school choice (voucher) system in Cleveland, which, in 2001, is before the U.S. Supreme Court. The author, special projects director of the Diocese of Cleveland, defends the system as a way to offer quality education to underprivileged families. Provides a brief assessment of the system. (NB)

Presents details of the Zelman argument in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris, which challenged the Cleveland school voucher program. Argues that Cleveland's intent was not to assist private schools or advance religion, but rather to help students who were enrolled in a failing public school system. (NB)

Discusses a recent Wisconsin "school choice" initiative, under which parents may choose public, private, nonsectarian, or religious schools for their children and have state funding directed to the appropriate institutions. Argues that school choice programs empower parents to provide the best education available to their children. (MAB)

Argues that school choice should be provided to give low-income parents control of their lives and opportunities for their children's futures through access to superior educational resources. Describes the successes of two small private schools, the Sheenway School in Los Angeles and the Holy Angels School in South Chicago. (MAB)