Indiana’s success in passing a voucher program may have started a domino effect throughout the country.
Last week, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said he wants a voucher program for students who attend a state-managed school district.
This week, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie used his State of the State address to promote the Opportunity Scholarship Act, a voucher program that would apply only to students trapped in the Garden State’s worst-performing school districts. “Opportunity should not be offered to only those in an excellent school district, or with parents who have the money to release their children from the prison that is a failing school,” Christie said.
The voucher plan was presented during last year’s legislative session. Though it had strong bipartisan support, it never received an up or down vote.
It’s unclear if the scholarship act will fare any better in 2012, as the New Jersey Education Association remains a powerful political player that’s determined to kill the bill.
“Voucher” is still considered a dirty word by some, but at least three governors agree that it’s an idea whose time has come.
2 Trackbacks
[...] Capitol Report,” he and the host were discussing Governor Chris Christie’s plan to install a voucher system in New Jersey. Such a plan would enable students in the state’s worst performing schools to [...]
[...] Capitol Report,” he and the host were discussing Governor Chris Christie’s plan to install a voucher system in New Jersey. Such a plan would enable students in the state’s worst performing schools to [...]