In education politics it has recently seemed to me that my first impression of things is always wrong. I attended a recent meeting of experts concerning Senate Bill 1 (the voucher bill). It is stalled right now in a number of ways. It is stalled in the Senate keeping it from final approval. It is stalled in the House of Representatives because they will not take it up unless the Senate votes for it. The governor seems to be for it, but is hanging back in a way that is not very helpful. If you are for school choice (and I am—although if I were doing it myself I would do it differently than this), this would seem like bad news.

I think, however, it might not be. At the meeting on Wednesday, the experts were hopping in and out of the room. A hornet’s nest, it seemed, had be stirred the night before and some were proclaiming that Senate Bill 1 was dead—which made the meeting interesting but irrelevant. Turns out it is not and the amendments that are being contemplated would, if passed, alter the state of Pennsylvania. The voucher bill begins (in 2012-2013) to give money to parents of poor children in failing schools. The next year it would be expanded to poor children in failing districts. The next year it would be poor children in any district. Finally (and this is new), they are talking about giving the voucher to parents of middle class incomes (up to $78,000). If this happened, education (and through it the state) would be transformed. Massive shifts would take place. I think that this would be the best thing for the state. As an educator and a fan of the free market, I would rather see the state privatizing the public schools rather than giving families subsidies to attend private schools. The men who wrote this law, however, are motivated toward the same end that I am. They even believe that this bill is good for the public schools—that competition will make them more accountable. This is true, but I do not have a calculator of sufficient power to estimate the amount of money the PSEA will spend to defeat this bill. I would bet against it, but I think it has a shot. If the state wants to be in the black in the future, they will pass this bill. It might be our only hope.

Another bill, however, peaked my interest during the discussion—House Bill 1330. It would expand the EITC funds more by $150 million over the next two years. This would be a great, great blessing. It would steer away from the Scylla of vouchers and the Charybdis of having to pass a new large initiative. Again, this bill thoughtfully uses a pass through (scholarship organization) to build a buffer between the government (who is allowing businesses—another buffer—to contribute to the private education of needy students) and the private school. I am excited about what this could mean for needy students in PA.

It is a complex issues and I am grappling with how we make sure that we approach these issues wisely. I covet your prayers. Contacting your legislators (especially if you could drop by Harrisburg) and letting them know that you are for school choice would be a good idea. contact your legislator