Critics say Ridge's education plan won't improve struggling schools

By MATT WUNSCHE
Collegian Staff Writer

Earlier this month, Gov. Tom Ridge announced plans to help troubled school districts with the Academic Recovery Act.

But critics of the plan said it's simply a voucher system in disguise.

Troubled school districts, as determined by the state Secretary of Education based on attendance, dropout rates and other data, would be placed on a watch list.

Once on the list, the schools would become eligible for the benefits of the act, according to a press release from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The most controversial part of the program makes troubled districts eligible for a "supervoucher" to help students pay tuition at the school of their choice.

Detractors of the plan complain the voucher program bypasses funding public schools in favor of private schools.

"I don't believe vouchers are a way to improve the quality of education," said state Rep. James Roebuck, D-Phila.

"A school doesn't have to admit a student just because they have the money."

Roebuck added many elite private schools cost up to $9,000 per year, but the amount of the proposed vouchers only goes up to $4,000 per year.

Therefore, the program, Roebuck said, would only serve to subsidize the less-expensive parochial schools.

Ridge spokesperson Gretchen Toner said Ridge believes the vouchers are aimed at helping the children of the troubled schools.

"These are the kids that need the choice," she said.

In a press release, Ridge said the choice will not hurt the recovering districts because the schools will have more money to spend on each student who remains.

Toner added many parents of children in needy districts will not want to send their children to a school far from home, but they should have the option to send them somewhere else.

Toner said the plan is also intended relieve troubled school districts by removing some of the restrictions placed on them, such as limitations on the roles of administrators and the designation of funds.

"If they need certain educational programs, they will be able to provide them," Toner said.

Also, Toner said, schools will be able to hire administrators, or even teachers, from the private and business sectors, because the restrictions will be relaxed.

"If they wanted to hire the CEO of a mid-size business to run the district they could," she said.

"It gives them more flexibility, and more entrepreneurialism."