Bad Decision for Children like Lexie: AZ Vouchers Struck Down
To realize the impact of yesterday’s Arizona Supreme Court decision watch this video about a little girl named Lexie. Also, read the media release from the Institute for Justice. Lexie has multiple disabilities. Her public school was not able to meet her needs, but the state-funded scholarship program for children with disabilities gave her the opportunity to attend a private school where she received more attention and learned new life-changing skills.
SHAMEFULLY, Lexie and other children served by the voucher program will not receive a voucher next fall. Ironically, other students supported by public dollars will remain in Lexie’s school. The difference is that public school staff made the decision to send the children to the private school, not their parents.
The Arizona Supreme Court struck down both of the state’s voucher programs on the basis that they violate one of the state’s Blaine Amendments. One program serves children with disabilities, and the other serves foster children.
The “usual suspects” filed the SHAMEFUL lawsuit - including the ACLU, People for the American Way, PTA, teachers unions, and the school board and school executives associations.
Parents were required to endorse the checks for tuition aid over to the schools. Arizona’s highest court said this action constituted state aid to the non-public schools.
The battle for a quality education for America’s children continues…
April 24th, 2009 at 6:37 am
[...] also the recent Arizona Supreme Court decision, and continuing attacks against the Milwaukee voucher [...]
June 1st, 2009 at 9:00 am
[...] went awry on March 25, when the Arizona Supreme Court ruled on a shameful lawsuit by shutting down two voucher programs that served special-needs and foster care [...]