THERE ARE SOME REASONS FOR HOPE ON THE URBAN EDUCATIONAL HORIZON

One of the most promising developments in urban public education in many years is the burgeoning charter-school movement springing up in Missouri's two urban centers. With explosive growth in Kansas City that saw 10 percent of that city's public-school enrollment move to charter schools in the first year, KC is home to the fastest-growing charter-school movement ever in American history.

Now, the charter-school movement comes to St. Louis, home to failing schools.

This Thursday at 10 a.m., the brand-new Lift-for-Life Academy will hold opening ceremonies. (With any luck, I'll be there.)

Lift-for-Life received its charter from the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents.

Lift-for-Life focuses strictly on at-risk and dropout children.

This seems to me a public-school effort straight out of the 25th chapter of Matthew: "For Whatsoever ye have done unto the least of these ... ."

Coming next year to SEMO for approval of a charter is the world-renowned Missouri Botannical Garden, linchpin of a grassroots group of teachers, parents and reformers who want to open new a school for fall 2001, the better to anchor the Shaw neighborhood.

Exciting new vistas for urban schools are opening up.

* * * * *

A ray of hope in the Windy City:

Not everyone, it seems, is afraid of the American Civil Liberties Union and their lawsuits. Week before last, Chicago's public school system approved a private, multi-faith project led by a Christian television network, the Total Living Network, to distribute 100,000 Ten Commandment book covers to schoolchildren attending Chicago area schools.

Groups such as the ACLU and American United for Separation of Church and State have issued warnings to Chicago school officials to remain silent and avoid endorsing the Ten Commandments. But Chicago's courageous school chief Paul Vallas, an appointee of Mayor Richard Daley, told The Associated Press that the problem is that "schools have become too rigidly neutral. What in the world is wrong with "thou shall not kill"? Or "thou shall not steal"?

Mr. Vallas' courageous action drew plaudits from Janet Parshall of the Family Research Council. "What a terrific way to kick off the school year," said Parshall. "And what a great example this sets for other schools. ... Schools that are unwilling to bend their knee to liberal activist groups and refuse to accept mixed-up notions of the First Amendment should be applauded."

Noting that just last month a sixth grader, Miguel de la Rosa, was shot and killed by gang crossfire near a Chicago school, Parshall said that Mr. Vallas and his fellow school officials are just trying to save kids' lives.

Over the last four years the FRC has distributed 750,000 Ten Commandment and "Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself" book covers to students and families nationwide. Last fall, the FRC kicked off a "Hang Ten" project, encouraging public officials and others to publicly post the Ten Commandments in offices, courthouses, schools, town squares and other places.

* * * * *

Al Gore speaks the truth:

If I were the parent of a child in a failing inner-city school, I might favor a voucher too.

-- Vice President Al Gore, asked about parental freedom to choose any school, which he stoutly opposes.

~Peter Kinder is assistant to the president of Rust Communications and a state senator from Cape Girardeau.