A Common Sense Approach to VOUCHERS!

No wonder it is one of the most frustrating subjects ever tackled on The Gallo Radio Show. It seems there are forces of racism, ignorance, stubbornness and pure lethargy waiting to quell any discussion of vouchers in Mississippi Public Schools. Today the U.S. Department of Education listed over 120 Mississippi Public Schools on the list as FAILING! Think about that. In 20 years we've poured over $2 billion dollars in something comically called the Mississippi Education Reform Act. Who have we reformed? Teachers? Nope. Students? Of course not, we've got high school graduates who can't read the diploma given to them. We've got college freshman who can't do basic math unless it's figuring out how many mugs in one keg. Have we reformed school buildings into "learning palaces" with over TWO BILLION DOLLARS? No way. We've got rural schools being held together with determination and duct tape. We've got the lowest paid teachers using some of their very own money to buy supplies. What a farce. And guess what? Most people are happy just the way things are.

Between 1966 and 1995 the Federal Government spent nearly $100 billion on education aid to the disadvantaged. Most of that money went to a program called Title 1. Our money would have been better used if we had put $500.00 in a mutual fund account for every disadvantaged child born. We would still have the uneducated, but they would retire as uneducated millionaires.

In small towns across the state, private schools sucked extra dollars out of the family budget faster than Rosie O'Donnell on a small chocolate shake. When private schools popped up overnight following integration, it was like building a Walmart on every corner. Literally millions of dollars that could have been spent on clothing, cars, entertainment, food and everything else, was eaten alive by tuition. Merchants in most small towns stood at the store window and just waved as former customers walked by with empty pockets. Whether because of racism, a real concern over educational levels or both, they felt no other options were available.

Where do we go now since the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Cleveland, Ohio test case? It's anybody's guess. I think the pendulum is swinging away from racist black leaders who want to use this as another recruiting tool. Blacks in Ohio and other parts of the country have seen the results of school choice. Researchers deemed statistical data significant in a 1997 to 1999. That research showed that black children on vouchers raised their percentile rankings on standardized math and reading test on average by 6.3 points! No wonder more black parents are listening to their hearts instead of listening to the hatred spewed forth by so-called leaders like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan and Julian Bond.

If we read in tomorrow morning's headlines that 49 states have approved vouchers, what state do you think would be holding out? You got it. With what I've heard from callers on the air, we've got about as much chance of vouchers passing as getting through tax break legislation. At some point we should have serious discussion, as Wilford says, "It's the right thing to do."

Talking points on The Gallo Radio Show:

Q-Is there a voucher program in Mississippi.
A-No, I believe it would have to be legislatively approved and signed by the governor.

Q-What do you think our chances are?
A-Slim to none. That said, I do believe if black leaders in the State of Mississippi get behind some reasonable voucher bill, we could see some dramatic shift in at least submitted legislation.

Q-How would it work?
A-That all depends on the State of Mississippi working within the guidelines of the U.S. Department of Education. It depends on how much flexibility is allowed to each State.

Q-What about tax credits instead of vouchers?
A-If that's the only way to get freedom of choice passed, fine. However, if the family's income is near or below the poverty level, tax credits are meaningless.

Q-How would YOU have it done?
A-I thought you'd never ask. Here is the way I'd structure Mississippi's Voucher Option Program.

1-Any public school that is designated a failing school would offer vouchers to parents in the amount of approximately $3,000.00, or whatever the Mississippi average tuition is for both private and parochial schools. The public school will not be getting that money any longer so it would be put to better use.

2-If your child qualifies for a voucher, it doesn't matter what your financial situation. If there is a "passing" public school at the same distance or closer than the nearest private or parochial school, you would be allowed to transfer your child there. That's the only option you would have. You don't even have that now. Today, school administrations are more concerned about being paid "per attended student" than graduation rates. We have parents who are forced to keep their kids in a failing environment or put them in another system. We have parents who are treated as criminals by trying to sneak their child into a public school that's better, closer or both.

3-If there is not an approved public school at the same distance or closer, you could use the voucher at a private or parochial school.

4-Should you choose a private or parochial school and have a tuition deficit, it's up to you to make up that difference.

5-Should you choose another public school and no present bus route has been established, (or for that manner choose a private or parochial school) you are responsible for the transportation of your child or children.

6-If a private or parochial school chooses to enter the voucher program, they would be required to fill any openings at the same percentage as the racial makeup of the community. For instance, if a private or parochial school's average vacancy over the past three years was 20 and the racial makeup of the community was 50% black, 40% white, and 10% Hispanic, then the vouchers would be filled at those percentages. In case of a school's physical plant expansion, the same rules would apply. Reason? The voucher program would be under the microscope by organizations from the NEA to the NAACP. If civil rights issues are documented, no matter how successful the Program, it would be killed faster than a democrat politician accepting an invitation to speak to either organization.

7-Private and parochial schools would also be held to the same test score requirements as public schools or face the risk of being dropped from the voucher program.

8-A private or parochial school could opt out of the voucher program with at least one year's notification.

9-If your child is in a private school because the public school you are required to attend is failing, you would be allowed to transfer your child to the public school of your choice without massive red tape or losing credits.

All this sounds great, but vouchers are just too easy a target for misunderstanding. Many blacks view vouchers as a backdoor maneuver to re-establish integration. Private schools will not hear nor believe, no matter how many times you say it, they can take it or leave it. Some politicians will paint an apocalyptic picture of black kids being trapped in substandard schools. (I know, I know, but they'll do it anyway).

Finally, who knows which way this one will go. I'm not a math or English genius, but the way we're doing things now, "Just don't add up!"

Paul Gallo

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