Tell your representative and senators to oppose federal funding for private school voucher programs.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I urge you to oppose President Bush's proposal to continue funding for the expiring private school voucher program in Washington, D.C.

I am also strongly opposed to the president's proposal to provide $300 million for a national private school voucher program. This proposal, entitled "Pell Grants for Kids," would provide private school vouchers to students attending schools in restructuring under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

The D.C. voucher program was presented by its proponents as a one-time, five-year experimental demonstration program that would expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Yet, contrary to that understanding, and despite the lack of any evidence that the program has been successful in improving student achievement, the president has proposed providing an additional year's funding. These funds would far better be invested in proven public school programs that help all students--programs such as smaller class size, high-quality early childhood education, or extended-time programs.

While named after the Pell Grant program that helps low-income students attend college, the so-called "Pell Grants for Kids" program is nothing but a private school voucher scheme that would divert federal resources away from efforts to raise standards and improve achievement in public schools. At a time when additional funds are urgently needed to help schools meet NCLB requirements, it only makes sense to focus limited resources on helping public schools to improve. Moreover, there is no evidence that vouchers will improve achievement for disadvantaged students. Studies of voucher programs have found no or only modest achievement gains for voucher students.

If we really want to help our children succeed, we should focus on helping our public schools to improve rather than experimenting with unproven voucher schemes. I urge you to oppose any private school voucher legislation.

Please tell me where you stand on this issue.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 30, 2008