Terri
02-09-2003, 10:09 PM
D.C. Schools are a Disgrace
By Linda Chavez
GOPUSA Opinion
February 5, 2003
Buried in the president's budget this week was enough money to dramatically transform educational opportunity for children in the nation's capital, one of the worst school systems in the country. As part of his continuing program to leave no child behind, President Bush has proposed a modest $756 million to promote school choice programs in the District of Columbia and several other cities. But the proposal faces tough opposition from Democrats beholden to teacher unions, who see school vouchers as a mortal threat. Nowhere could there be a starker contrast between what's good for kids and what's in the best interests of teacher unions than in the District of Columbia.
Washington, D.C., public schools are at the bottom of national achievement rankings based on student performance. On the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading tests administered to D.C. fourth- and eighth-graders, only 10 and 12 percent (respectively) scored at a proficient level, while in math, only 6 percent of both fourth- and eighth-graders were proficient. Scores in science were even worse, with only 5 percent of eighth-grade students demonstrating proficiency.
Democrats routinely look at such abysmal statistics as proof that we need to pour more money into schools. But the District of Columbia's problem isn't too little funding. Whereas D.C. ranks at the bottom when it comes to student performance, it ranks near the top when it comes to spending. Average per pupil expenditure nationwide was about $7,000 in the 2000-2001 school year (the last year for which figures are available), which represents more than a three-fold increase in constant dollars over the last 40 years. But spending on D.C. students far out-paced spending nationally, with the District spending more than $10,000 per student in 2000-2001, or more than 40 percent more than the national average. Clearly, D.C. taxpayers aren't getting their money's worth, and the children forced to attend failing schools are getting ripped off even more.
Full Story (http://gopusa.com/lindachavez/lc_0205.shtml)
By Linda Chavez
GOPUSA Opinion
February 5, 2003
Buried in the president's budget this week was enough money to dramatically transform educational opportunity for children in the nation's capital, one of the worst school systems in the country. As part of his continuing program to leave no child behind, President Bush has proposed a modest $756 million to promote school choice programs in the District of Columbia and several other cities. But the proposal faces tough opposition from Democrats beholden to teacher unions, who see school vouchers as a mortal threat. Nowhere could there be a starker contrast between what's good for kids and what's in the best interests of teacher unions than in the District of Columbia.
Washington, D.C., public schools are at the bottom of national achievement rankings based on student performance. On the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading tests administered to D.C. fourth- and eighth-graders, only 10 and 12 percent (respectively) scored at a proficient level, while in math, only 6 percent of both fourth- and eighth-graders were proficient. Scores in science were even worse, with only 5 percent of eighth-grade students demonstrating proficiency.
Democrats routinely look at such abysmal statistics as proof that we need to pour more money into schools. But the District of Columbia's problem isn't too little funding. Whereas D.C. ranks at the bottom when it comes to student performance, it ranks near the top when it comes to spending. Average per pupil expenditure nationwide was about $7,000 in the 2000-2001 school year (the last year for which figures are available), which represents more than a three-fold increase in constant dollars over the last 40 years. But spending on D.C. students far out-paced spending nationally, with the District spending more than $10,000 per student in 2000-2001, or more than 40 percent more than the national average. Clearly, D.C. taxpayers aren't getting their money's worth, and the children forced to attend failing schools are getting ripped off even more.
Full Story (http://gopusa.com/lindachavez/lc_0205.shtml)