Ken Blackwell, former mayor of Cincinnati and former Ohio Secretary of State, told the thousands gathered at the Family Research Council's Washington Briefing that school choice is of paramount importance in today's world.
He pointed out that in the past, black Americans were held back when they were forced into ineffective schools. Too many of today's children are also kept in ineffective schools where they cannot attain their full academic potential.
Blackwell said our current education establishment is too interested in administrative requirements and union dues, and not nearly interested enough in the educational welfare of our children.
Child-centered school choice initiatives will require that two myths be dispelled. The first is that educational choice would only benefit parochial schools. Blackwell said there are many good public schools across our country, and they will be able to compete with others.
The second myth is that it is a radical change. We already see the concept of educational choice in higher education. Blackwell said in Ohio, public institutions compete successfully with other colleges, and that many go to state institutions that could afford other options, were those other options better.
Blackwell said it was perceived to be radical to desegregate schools forty years ago. But "the courage of nine children" helped crack open the door of educational opportunity back then, and a few can make a difference today.
Blackwell said those who are working for educational choice and academic opportunities for children are "punching holes in the darkness."
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