As Mike noted, the third-year report on the DC voucher program, showing statistically significant benefits for scholarship recipients, presented a challenge for the folks at ED, who responded by using the time-honored tactic of releasing unwelcome news on a Friday afternoon.
The Washington Post, however, refusing to be bamboozled, turned in three separate pieces in Saturday's edition. ????Under the headline, "Study Supports School Vouchers," a front-page Metro article reports on the main findings and sets up the debate to follow between program advocates and detractors.
Though the article says that the Department released a statement, I can't find it anywhere (it's not on their press releases page) and the Duncan quote used in the story is from a previous interview with the Post.* That quote uses possibly the weakest argument against the program--that it should be scrapped because it only helps some DC students instead of all. ????But that same line of reasoning could be used to kill other targeted programs like Head Start, Title I, IDEA, AP, IB, and free and reduced-price lunch. ????The obvious response to that criticism is, "Since the voucher program is helping approximately 2,000 students today, let's keep it going while Chancellor Rhee continues her district-wide reform efforts."
Second, under the headline "Don't Pull the Plug Yet," the paper editorializes in measured tones in favor of maintaining the program. ????Referring again to the mysterious opposition statement from the Department,* the editors write:
It's perplexing that Mr. Duncan, without any further discussion or analysis, would be so quick to kill a program that is supported by local officials and that has proven popular with parents. Unless, of course, politics enters the calculation in the form of Democratic allies in Congress who have been shameless in their efforts to kill vouchers.
Third, columnist Colbert King argues that voucher proponents should turn their attention to local lawmakers who have the power to fund and sustain the program.????
All that the seven members (of the city council) and the mayor would have to do is find $12 million in the mayor's $5.4 billion budget to fund the voucher program beyond next year.
* If you have a copy of the Department's statement, please send it along: [email protected]