NCPA To Release Book Exposing Myths About School Choice

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Rep. Boehner, Gov. du Pont and Others to Discuss Increasing Educational Freedom

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 14, 2001) – As Congress prepares to vote on HR 1, recently approved by the Education Conference Committee, the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) will release its new book, "Ten Myths About School Choice: Answering the Campaign Against School Vouchers" at an December 18 news conference in HC6 at the U.S. Capitol.

The news conference will feature presentations from Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), Chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, NCPA Policy Chairman Pete du Pont, former Governor of Delaware, and Kaleem Caire, president of the Washington-based Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) and co-author of the book, as well as other speakers to be determined. The book's other co-author is Howard Fuller, distinguished professor of education and founder/director of the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University.

The book charges opponents of school choice with using arguments based on "myths, inaccuracies, half-truths, distortions and, in some instances, outright lies" to refute the proven success of tax-funded school voucher programs in Milwaukee, Cleveland and Florida. The news conference will address and refute, among others, such inaccuracies as:

  • Tax-funded voucher programs allow private schools to "cream" the best students.
  • That voucher programs weaken or destroy public schools.
  • That selection for voucher programs is preferential and may even be racist.

In addition, speakers will discuss the advancements of choice contained in H.R.1.

Who:

Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)
Gov. Pete du Pont, NCPA Policy Chairman
Dr. Kaleem Caire, president & CEO,
Black Alliance for Educational Options

What:

News Conference to Release:
"Ten Myths About School Choice:
Answering the Campaign Against School Vouchers"

When:

9:30 a.m., Dec. 18.

Where:

HC-6, U.S. Capitol.

Two new reports on school choice, "Cleveland, School Choice and the Constitution," by David J. Owsiany, president of Ohio's Buckeye Institute for Public Policy, and "Tuition Tax Credits: A Model for School Choice," by Lisa Graham Keegan, CEO of the Education Leaders Council, will be released at the conference as well. Please contact either of the media numbers listed below to receive a copy of this important book.