Official: Texas dropout plan not a voucher sneak attack
07:55 AM CDT on Thursday, May 29, 2008
Terrence Stutz
AUSTIN – The state's education chief Wednesday assured a House committee that a new dropout recovery program will not result in a back-door voucher plan for private schools.
Addressing concerns by the House Public Education Committee, state Education Commissioner Robert Scott said critics of his dropout plan – which would send some money to private schools if they participate – are wrong in calling it a voucher scheme.
"This is not a voucher program in the traditional sense," he said. "It is a contract with entities to provide educational services. We are not talking about aid to sectarian or religious schools."
Mr. Scott also promised to revise the guidelines for the program, which would distribute about $6 million a year in state grants to school districts, charter schools, universities, education service centers and private schools operated by nonprofit organizations. The funds will be used to help student dropouts complete their coursework and earn their high school diplomas.
Under a request for applications for the grants issued last week, the inclusion of private schools in the list of eligible entities sparked criticism from teacher associations and education groups.
Members of the House education committee also questioned the specific mention of private schools, noting that they were not part of the dropout prevention bill approved last year by the Legislature.
Mr. Scott responded that while many public schools are doing a good job dealing with dropouts, the problem in Texas is big enough to warrant use of other educational entities such as private schools operated by nonprofit groups.
Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, advised Mr. Scott to amend the proposal to invite all nonprofit groups to seek grants, not just those operating private schools.
"I do not want to get into a debate over vouchers," he said. "We need to go with successful programs that have the least amount of controversy."
Under the program, schools will be able to receive grants of up to $4,000 per student if they meet certain objectives such as enabling former dropouts to receive a diploma or to get certain scores on the ACT or SAT.