Strong Democratic Support for School Choice

You may hear that school choice is an issue with only supporters from a single political party or of a single ideology.  But as more school choice programs are created and expanded, more Democrats than ever before are voting in favor of these bills.  In fact, when Governor Bobby Jindal signed an historic statewide expansion of the Student Scholarships for Excellence in Education program yesterday, nearly half of the “yea” votes in the Senate were cast by Democrats and a dozen Democrats voted for the legislation in the House.

Hare are some of the most prominent Democrats who support school choice:

Cory Booker: America’s mayor is not only a hero when it comes to saving neighbors from fires, but he’s also a hero to Newark’s children.  A strong supporter of education reform, this Mayor has teamed up with Republican Governor Chris Christie to fight for the Opportunity Scholarship Act, a corporate scholarship program that, if enacted, would allow the state’s most disadvantaged students who attend the state’s poorest performing schools to have access to education alternatives. He'll also be a keynote speaker at our annual National Policy Summit on May 3-4, 2012!

Michelle Rhee: Former chancellor of D.C. public schools, Michelle Rhee is founder of StudentsFirst, which does just what it sounds like: puts students first.  Rhee is a strong supporter of charter schools and private school choice.  In fact, Rhee spoke in support of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program while heading up D.C. public schools.  Speaking at the 2011 AFC Policy Summit, Rhee said:

“I do not believe that my job is to protect and defend and preserve a district that is doing a disservice to children. I believe that my job is to make sure that every single child in this city gets a great education. I am agnostic as to the delivery mechanism.”

Joel Klein: John Klein, former chancellor of New York City public schools and now, the executive vice president of News Corp., has been pushing strong education reforms in New York and nationally, with a particular strong note on educational options.  A strong supporter of public school choice and charter schools, Klein also supports giving parents the most options available, including through voucher programs.  Writing in the New York Daily News in March, Klein wrote:

“Public school choice, charter schools and vouchers like the D.C. Opportunity Scholarships help to level the playing field for families and encourage educators to think creatively about how to best serve students and families. Coupled with necessary resources, well-prepared educators, and strong curricula, I believe that choice has the power to improve the overall quality of education we are providing to our students.”

Putting Politics Aside for Wisconsin Students: Representative Jason Fields (D)

Fields speaks during the 2012 Black Alliance for Educational Options
Symposium, at a lunch hosted by the American Federation for Children.

“The focus of our debate needs to be on improving educational quality - in our public schools and in our private schools. My hope in supporting the choice program has always been that families will one day be able to choose between several quality choice schools as well as high-quality public schools.”

The past year has seen Wisconsin become the nation’s hot spot for partisan fighting, with protests in the state house and harsh words and recall threats from both sides of the aisle.  But a few legislators have been able to stay above the fray. One of them is Representative Jason Fields, a Democrat in the Assembly whose district encompasses most of Milwaukee. He's crossing traditional party lines to stand up for children and build a strong bipartisan coalition in support of school choice.

“Improving quality needs to be the focus of our efforts to reform education in the state of Wisconsin…by increasing the standards we set for the institutions charged with the important responsibility of educating our children.”

Fields is a Milwaukee native and a graduate of Milwaukee Lutheran High School.  A former stock broker, financial advisor, and banker, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2004 and is serving his fourth term in office. Representing Milwaukee, Fields has stood up for multiple school choice initiatives, supporting both the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (which benefits many of the families living in his district) and the Wisconsin Special Needs Act, which is currently moving through the state legislature.

Wisconsin Rep. Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee) To Lawmakers: "Knock it Off!"

On Tuesday, before the Wisconsin State Assembly passed two pieces of legislation that will expand school choice options to Milwaukee families, the legislative body received a much-needed wakeup call from one of its own.

After introducing a successful amendment that that will ensure that families currently participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) will not lose eligibility—and see their education severely interrupted—if their income rises above the program’s current income eligibility requirements, Rep. Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee) took to task legislators for failing to support a provision that would remove the program's arbitrary student enrollment cap.

"It means nothing to you!" Fields said, specifically directing his ire towards legislators who voted against the measure without actually representing any of the affected areas.

"With all due respect," Fields continued,"knock it off! You all don't give a damn about these kids!"

Fields excoriated both parties for having forsaken Milwaukee's predominantly black population of children. He criticized Democrats for their failure to support a program with demonstrably positive results, and reminded Republicans that the city's children also need their support on other issues of social justice.

Legislation to expand the MPCP, Fields said, has support within the community that would actually stand to benefit from it, with opposition only coming from out-of-touch Assembly members.

“The kids at MPS don’t have a problem with the kids at the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program,” Fields said. “They don’t have a problem with each other. So why do you?”

Fields's words are refreshing for two reasons. First, in a climate of extreme political posturing and rhetoric continually tied to talking points and point-scoring, it's wonderful to see someone speak from the heart about an issue for which they care deeply.

And second, it seems like Fields's words may have had an impact. In addition to eliminating the enrollment cap, the bill, which calls for expanding the program to all of Milwaukee County, passed by a bipartisan vote.

As the State Senate is now considering the measure, we hope they listen the call to "knock it off" and start thinking about kids.

Frankly, it's a sentiment we've all held for a long time.

Thanks to Rep. Fields for having the courage to say it.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MAG