It is a sprint to the finish for countless advocates supporting the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. With the school year about to begin, 216 students from low-income families in the District may have to return to their public schools, stripping them of the opportunity to attend the school of their choice. Parents, teachers and children are pushing for U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to reverse his decision to rescind and abolish the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Plan.
Capitol Hill has been debating on whether children can attend private schools on public money. This Scholarship program provides vouchers worth $7,500 to low-income students to attend a school of their choice which would provide a great opportunity to some of youth in D.C. a chance to grow, learn and develop in an atmosphere without the thoughts of violence or fear. Here is what I don’t understand. Capitol Hill is willing to bailout what is seems like everyone else i.e. banks, autos, but when it comes to the education of children a.k.a. the future of America they decided to hesitate? Are we going to deny the youth of America opportunity in the land of opportunity?
It’s about time that Duncan gets of out his cozy office and listens to all the people who care not about themselves but for the education and the future of the children. The Washington Post today mentioned that D.C. Parents for School Choice, D.C. Children First and other advocates are planning radio, newspaper and internet ads to get the word out and holding a vigil tomorrow, August 20th at noon in front of the U.S. Department of Education. Hopefully Secretary Duncan will hear, see and realize the mistake he is making
