Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 September 2000 — Page 2

PAGE A2

THE INDtANAPOUS RECORDER

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1,2000

All Kids Need School Choice by Prof. Howard Fuller

% / hen Americans cast their ballot November \i 7, each will get one vote, regardless of W W race, income, religion, or gender. The story is different when it comes to choosing where our children attend school. There, a canyon divides America. On one side, with few educational options, are low-income parents, mostly of color. On the other side, with many choices, are middle- and upper-income, most-

ly white parents.

Writing for The Brookings Institution in 1999, Jeffrey Hehig and Stephen Sugarman stressed that parents with adequate income can live near high-quality public schools or enroll their

children in private schools. In contrast, many poor families simply 'have no choice at all.' Vice President Gore and Texas Governor Bush both have said that they understand why many of these parents want more educational choices. Indeed, school choice is long-standing and highly valued — by

those who have it.

All that is new is a debate about whether lowincome parents also should have the power to pick a public or private school they think is best for their children. baeo Black Allionc* for Educational Options

With this message, the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) enters the debate about

parental school choice.

BAEO is a new group. Its network already reaches thousands of Black people, from all points on the political and ideological spectrum. They live in 35 major cities and 28 different states, where active BAEO

chapters are being formed. BAEO believes

Americans need to know more about the positive impact of

parental school choice. In future messages, we

will explain who uses school choice and why they value it. We will share inspiring stories

from Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Florida, where lowincome parents can choose a public or private school for their child and give their kids the help they need to learn more and succeed in school and life. A new school year is beginning. Most parents have chosen where their children will go to school. All

parents deserve that choice.

Professor Fuller is President of the BAFO Board of Directors. Fuller is a former superintendent of the Milwaukee Public Schools. He founded and directs the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University where he is a Distinguished

Professor of Education.

Parental school choice is

widespread -

unless you're poor.

for more information go to: www.schoolchoiceinfo.org

w*. -a Jl *>• ■ < itt' i

9

DO YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY ?

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Name Address City State Zip Telephone (h) (w) Answers: Alexander L. Twilight; Herman Petty; John Brown Russwurm £3 we love to see you smileWfifl.

ID will also engage in a massive infor- to eliminate the separate and unmation campaign to advocate its equal educational opportunities Continued from A1 goals while offering that, despite between Black and white students. misconceptions, theirs is not a goal “Urban families across the naBlack children. to destroy public education. tion are asking for help in educatThe Black Alliance for Educa- In fact, group officials said that ing their children,” Edwards added, tional Options (BAEO), a nonpar- it would also work aggressively “We cannot be content to stay on tisan national coalition, hopes to inside various public school sys- the present course and simply talk be the catalyst of change in the terns to ensure those students that about reform. We can no longer continuing struggle for many Afri- remain in public schools are also wait for what might happen.” can Americans to gain access to adequately served. But, despite BAEO’s intentions quality education The campaign began last week of taking their message to the grass The organization’s announce- in the Washington Post and will roots, it is understood that only ment comes on the heels of a report continue in African-American through the legislature with the released by the U.S. Department of news media around the country, goals of increased options become Education, which indicates the gap BAEO will continue to push its a nationwide phenomenon, between test scores among the races message throughout the fall and Pennsylvania state Rep. Dwight widened throughout the ‘90s. winter and will launch its Web site, Evans, a Democrat, believes how“We’re here to say we can no www.schoolchoiceinfo.org that ever that as the interest and the longer tolerate a situation where will provide information and com- information reaches the commuour children are not being served,” mentary on choice. nity, it’s leadership will have no said Dr. Howard Fuller, BAEO “Our organization is not anti- choice but to address the issue in a president and long-time parental public schools,” said Fuller. “It is manner that supports the consenchoice activist. “You cannot have not in our interests for the public sus, regardless of partisan intera country where some children are schools to fail. We will not be ests. being educated and some are not. trapped into that demagoguery. We “If we are to move forward, we So we’re here today to declare war understand we will be criticized, have to recognize that this is about on a fundamentally un-American but if you confront status quo, you ’ 11 children, not Democrats or Repubcondition. We will fight to support be criticized.” licans,” Evans said. “We have a parents’ right to choose and to in- But criticism is nothing new to crisis in America, we need to emtroduce a wide range of options.” those that make up BAEO’s 29- power people, we need to get legFuller, a distinguished profes- member board. A bipartisan group islators to understand that it is all sor of education at Marquette Uni- ofchoice advocates and educational our responsibility. When are we versity and former superintendent leaders, one of the basic goals of going to wake up and recognize of the Milwaukee Public Schools, the group was to find solid leader- that?” added that while BAEO’s mission ship that will fight for this agenda In Indianapolis, the movement is to close the gap between Black despite what is sure to be heavy for increased option in the Black and white students, the group main- semtiny on the part of choice op- community is also beginning to tains that choice is the starting point position. take shape. According to Jackie at which parents will be empow- The group’s leadership plans to Cissell, community relations dieted to get more involved in the introduce 12 chapters around the rector for the Greater Educational education establishment. nation by next year. Opportunities Foundation and “Choice is widespread, unless Long time Etetroit activist Rev. BAEO board member, the efforts you are poor,” said Fuller who, Eddie K. Edwards is one that be- of the groups will reach the local along with a solid coalition of busi- Heves the group’s foundation will community through the introducness leaders, legislators and par- see them to their goals of parental tion of a proposed Indiana chapter, ents, helped lead the way to the choice and empowerment in edu- “We know that Black people in Milwaukee Parental Choice Pro- cation for Black families. The presi- our state want more options for our gram, the nation’s first and most dent and founder of Joy for Jesus, children, we have evidence of that,” diverse school choice model, a community outreach ministry said Cissell, referring to the recent “What’s new is we want low-in- Edwards is a leader in the lobby for State of Black Indianapolis poll, come parents to have the same cher- a statewide ballot initiative that which indicated that 76.5 percent ished options as the rest of us. This will provide vouchers to parents of of Blacks with school aged chilis about empowering parents to children in failing schools, state- dren in Indianapolis support vouchdecide what works for their chil- wide testing and increased funding ers. “ We need to be at the forefront dren. to the public school system. demanding that none of our chil“Our people want freedom,” he “We as religious leaders in our dren be left behind. “With BAEO, added. “We want to make sure they • communities must respond now as we have the national voice of adrealize those aspirations. There’s W e have so effectively done so in vocacy that has been sorely needed nothing more just than allowing the past,” Edwards said. “We will for the vitality of this movement.” parents to choose which'sqhopls stand and collectively moveHlo- " they think are best.” gether to eliminate this crisis."' Britt tithe community outreach An issue that continues to di- BAEO gives us the national infra- liaison of the Greater Educational vide Black decision makers, BAEO structure to unite around our cause 1 Opportunities Foundation.

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