'Twas the day before vouchers, and all through the land
The foes of school choice had a further demand.
The bus routes were planned with extraordinary care,
Though Congress had acted with no time to spare.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of better schools danced in their heads;
Rod and Gene in their office, and Nina by phone,
Had reviewed all the risks and left unturned no stone.
When o'er on 16th street there arose such a clatter,
Even Margaret peered out to see what was the matter.
Off to the press club Jeanne flew like a flash,
Ready to dice union flunkies to hash.
(Everyone looked to the Post for a headline -
But it seems that this mischief came after their deadline.)
Then to our wondering eyes did march out
A vast picket line led by people with clout.
The elites had deployed their strongest troops
To force poor children to jump through more hoops.
More rapid than eagles these gray suits they came,
And they whistled, and shouted, and called out by name:
"Now, Sandy! now, Reggie! And you, Alfie Kohn.
On, PFAW! on AASA! on Houlihan and Norton!
"To the top of the Hill! to the top of the Court!
Now fight fiercely! fight fiercely! fight fiercely all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the courthouse the bruisers they went,
With injunctions and motions and writs to prevent.
But then, of a sudden, we heard in the sky
The roar of jet aircraft descending from high.
As we watched Reagan and Dulles for signs,
The planes disgorged children who quickly formed lines.
They were dressed in their best and their parents came, too.
They'd come to D.C. with a message or two.
They cheered as they marched and they brought lots of letters.
All said the same thing: "You must take off our fetters.
For too long you've made us attend lousy schools.
For too long the system has bound us in rules.
"Your hemming and hawing have purpose no more.
We've come to demand you unbar the school door.
You must give us our vouchers and charters, too,
And must do so without any more horse doo-doo.
"We need them now and we won't be defeated
Even if courtroom battles grow oe'rheated."
Perhaps it was the holiday season,
Or maybe, just maybe, there's a higher reason.
It could just have been the fear of defeat.
One hopes it was the sound of children's feet.
Whatever the cause, adult minds were swayed.
The establishment's heart grew three sizes that day.
They hugged the kids and said to each parent:
"Henceforth spend your money on food and on rent.
We've seen the light, we've changed our mind--
Heck, we might even be open to No Child Left Behind.
"School choice will henceforth be each child's right.
And we'll battle for YOUR side with all of our might."
Was this a miracle or was it a dream?
Too many cocktails or fruitcake with cream?
Will this conversion last more than a day?
Perhaps it will help if we bow heads and pray.
Whatever the reason, the tide it had turned.
The children no longer were scorned and spurned.
Lawsuits were withdrawn and buses rolled.
(It's remarkable that this tale can now be told.)
As school choices blossomed and options spread
More knowledge soon filtered through each pupil's head.
Scores slowly rose and AYP was reached.
Those high, dark walls of ignorance were breached.
Teachers rejoiced as children learned more,
And parents beamed from the kitchen door
As Johnny and Mary came home from school
Having also absorbed that old golden rule.
For the change-of-heart that broke the chains
Turned out to improve more than their brains.
As the kids did better, the mood also brightened.
Educators ceased to be so frightened.
Taxpayers were willing to open checkbooks
And voters stopped giving schools dirty looks.
A bright day had dawned for education,
And that was good for the whole nation.
At this time of gifts, celebrations and birth,
Let us pause amid the holiday mirth
To acknowledge to our children, colleagues and friends
That the battles that consume us are for worthy ends.
