CHOICE FOR SCHOOLS

The Missouri House of Representatives is considering legislation that would test school choice in the Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, Kansas City and Jefferson City school districts.

House Bill 1037 has yet to have a hearing, and it may not even make it out of committee this year. It seems unlikely, at this point, that the bill will make it to the full House floor before adjournment. That is unfortunate.

Part of the reason for the bill's lack of movement is the negative reaction the legislation has stirred. The issue of school choice prompts a reflex reaction in far too many people. They react negatively to the concept of school choice without examining the facts, much less the opportunities.

Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill. She joined the effort as a way to get dialogue going and has been somewhat surprised by the backlash.

Some have accused Kasten of undermining public education. That is ridiculous. Kasten served as a member of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education for two decades. For several years she was a regent at Southeast Missouri State University. Public education has been a pet concern of Kasten in the Legislature.

The proposed school-choice legislation is nothing more than a pilot project that would test school vouchers on a very, small scale. Only 4 percent of the students would be eligible to participate the first year, with 8 percent the second year and 12 percent the third year. The bill only applies to students entering either kindergarten or ninth grades.

It would no doubt help if the Cape Girardeau Board of Education would look closely at the bill and take a leadership position in favor of the project. The board should investigate the implications and publicly take a stand.

Educators often point to financial havoc that school choice would bring -- that lowered student numbers would lower state income. House Bill 1037 allows for gain without the pain. Participating schools wouldn't lose any state aid resulting from enrollment drops that might occur.

The Missouri School Boards Association has opposed the legislation because it feels the bill amounts to use of public money for private education. That simply isn't true. Education funding would not be diminished by the test. The money for the vouchers would come from general revenue, not money earmarked for public education.

Why do voucher opponents assume that all the exodus will be to private schools? The bill allows for private or parochial schools or other public schools outside their district. Are public educators so sure only private school students will exercise an option of choice?

It is time to stop reciting the same old excuses about why school choice is bad. House Bill 1037 would let Missourians find out once and for all if a voucher system works and if parents are interested.

If the demonstration worked well, it would be worth expanding in future years. If it fails miserably, then the opponents would have plenty of ammunition to nix future efforts. School choice is not going to go away just because House Bill 1037 has stalled this year. Facts, not fear, should drive this issue.