Too many of our children are locked into public schools that are failing them. In recent years, the state has invested in improving our public schools through a formula whose goal is to provide the necessary support for students to meet state-achievement criteria. Funding the formula has consistently improved student achievement, but concerns about the pace of change and the adequacy of funding continue.
We urge that any school-choice bill slated to provide funding for students to leave district-managed schools be limited to low-income students in currently failing schools ("Hundreds rally for school choice," Wednesday). Schools that are eligible to receive students must have a record of academic success, meet quality standards, and accept all children eligible through a fair system such as a lottery.
