Education choice is against the law in Florida


Can Arizona be far behind?
Sometimes words fail me.

If you think kids are all the same, and that monopolies are the key to quality and efficiency, consider moving to Florida. As of this month, a uniform government bureaucracy is the only legal approach to public education in the Sunshine State.

For six years, students in Florida's failing public schools have been able to switch to a private school of their parents' choosing, using the state funds allocated for their education. No longer. The "Opportunity Scholarship" voucher program was struck down Jan. 5 by the state Supreme Court in a sweeping decision with national implications .

Unlike previous school-choice cases, Bush v. Holmes did not hinge on the use of public funds at religious schools. Instead, five of the seven presiding justices ruled that school vouchers violate the "uniformity" clause of Florida's Constitution. Far from being an arcane and forgotten technicality, this clause was amended and reapproved by voters just eight years ago: It mandates, among other things, "a uniform, efficient, safe, secure and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education." If only wishing could make it so.

What the new wording fails to consider is that a homogenized government bureaucracy is not necessarily compatible with efficiency and quality. By this point in American history, we should know better. After more than a century of honing its public school system, Florida has managed an on-time graduation rate of just 57%, placing it third from last nationally. Its composite SAT score is the fourth lowest among the states.

Choice is not constitutional. At least not in Florida.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Mon - January 16, 2006 at 04:41 AM  Tag


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