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February 08, 2007

Morning Shots

Dallas Morning News: 5,000 rally for vouchers as issue gains new focus

School vouchers aren't just policy; they're personal.

Gripping signs in English and Spanish, thousands of people from across Texas descended on the state Capitol on Wednesday to rally for a new law to provide public money for students to attend private schools.

The rally under sunny skies was part of a renewed push by supporters of so-called school choice legislation after years of failure in the Legislature.

LA Times: High court denies quick ruling on L.A. Unified takeover

The California Supreme Court refused Wednesday to immediately review a ruling that has prevented Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from taking partial control of the Los Angeles school district.

The state high court's decision means the school district's challenge of mayoral control will remain before the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles. That court will hear arguments in early April and probably decide the case 30 to 60 days later.

Villaraigosa had sought to bypass the appeals court in hopes of expediting the case and winning a ruling that would uphold a state law giving him significant authority over schools. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Dzintra Janavs struck down the law in December.

Charleston Post and Courier: Rex proposal could lead to public school choice

State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex wants to give parents unprecedented options for where their children can go to school, but private schools won't be part of his plan.

On Wednesday, less than a month after taking office, Rex announced a three-year proposal that eventually would allow students to attend the public school of their choice, regardless of where they live. He presented a loose timeline and process for the changes but didn't offer many specifics, such as the way schools would be funded or the process for transferring.

Rex's proposal does not make provision for vouchers or tax credits for families sending children to private schools. Both have been proposed and debated by lawmakers the last few years.

A spokesman for Gov. Mark Sanford said the governor thinks Rex's choice plan is a good start but that it doesn't go far enough. Sanford has supported tax credits for private school tuition.

Washington Post: Foes Question City's Ability to Run Schools

Opponents at a D.C. Council hearing yesterday protested Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's controversial plan to take over public schools, and their anger spilled over into a hallway during a confrontation with council members.

In the third of seven public meetings on Fenty's proposal, witnesses included representatives of education watchdog groups who questioned the city government's ability to run the 58,000-student system. Anger surfaced when former school board member Valencia Mohammed said she feared Fenty (D) and council members would take over the school budget and use it for political patronage.

Mohammed also dressed down council members individually, questioning whether member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), a newcomer to politics, is knowledgeable enough to make an informed decision and making a reference to member Marion Barry's past drug use.

Barry (D-Ward 8) said the council would not tolerate personal attacks. "There is no place in this city for that," he said.

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