KINDER PUSHES SCHOOL-CHOICE AMENDMENTS

JEFFERSON CITY -- Sen. Peter Kinder is making another push in the Missouri Senate for legislation that would give parents a choice in what schools their children attend.

A part of the plan, which would require an amendment to the Missouri Constitution, is that parents would be able to receive vouchers to use at private schools that choose to participate in the program.

Last year Kinder's amendment received a hearing in the Senate Education Committee but was defeated.

The Cape Girardeau Republican has introduced the same amendment he had last year and a new, shorter version.

Rep. Henry Rizzo, D-Kansas City, will introduce Kinder's legislation in the House.

Kinder said he is involved in a long-term effort and it may be several years before school choice becomes a viable issue in the General Assembly.

"I am always optimistic," he said. "We have an uphill battle to get this on the ballot statewide," said Kinder, who has eight Senate co-sponsors.

Rep. Ron Auer, D-St. Louis, has been patiently promoting the cause of school choice for years, dating back to his time as an education major at Southeast Missouri State in the early 1970s.

Auer has been in the House for 18 years and has sponsored or supported school-choice bills at various times.

Like Kinder, he doubts the issue has enough support to go anywhere yet.

"I'm hearing that support for the idea is increasing, but the grassroots swelling I don't think is there," said Auer. "But on the other hand, the numbers of enrollment in private schools are increasing, and many people feel the public school system has failed some students and an alternative is necessary."

One way to introduce the concept would be by funding pilot projects in urban areas. Both Auer and Kinder say they would be willing to push such legislation. Kinder said some Senate members not ready to support his bill may be receptive to a pilot project.

"I am engaged in brainstorming with my colleagues about how we can move this ball down the field," said Kinder.

Auer said he attempted to amend Senate Bill 380 two years ago with a pilot project but was not recognized on the floor to offer it.

Opponents of school choice fear it would undermine the public school system in the state. However, Auer and Kinder say the proposed voucher program would only pay participating private schools half the normal costs of educating students, leaving the public schools with the other half.

The two lawmakers also believe that their bill will increase competition in education, which would improve public schools.

"Anytime you have competition it makes a product better," said Auer. "Basically they have a monopoly, and those who can afford it can opt out."

Under the current system, only parents with the right financial resources can choose to send their children to private schools. Under this plan, more parents would have that opportunity, he said.

"Parents of poor and middle means ought to have the same choice wealthy parents have always had to choose their children's schools," said Kinder.

Kinder said his bill has sufficient safeguards to protect the public school system and to maintain the balance of separation between church and state.

In higher education, Kinder and Auer said, grants are provided by the government and can be used at either public or private institutions. They contended there is no reason not to apply that same reasoning to elementary and secondary education.