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Mark Stewart on Education |
A: I'd prefer to see no public schools in the first place. But if state must have them, vouchers are wise. They let students go to the schools that are best for them. They simultaneously make most schools BETTER. When schools need to compete for students carrying vouchers, the schools make themselves more attractive. Those that don't, fold. That's not a bad thing. Kids who see their decrepit schools fold go 20 minutes away to a BETTER school.
Q: What do you say to voucher opponents?
A: Those who rail against school choice are keeping kids down. Many students travel 45 to 60 minutes each way to get to a better school. Vouchers start bringing better schools closer to them. Education is too important to be besmirched by politics. There should not be federal grants for education. I dislike state grants as well, but as president I control no single school.
A: Congress Constitutionally controls education in one area: D.C. Here I have veto power and I will use it. I will implore privatizing education in DC, at least giving families vouchers to use in Maryland and Virginia schools if those in DC are deficient. Vouchers make schools better because they have to COMPETE. Do well for your students, or FOLD.