| Vouchers
and School Choice in Rural Communities
The National Grange Presents
this Issue at Its National Convention Burlington,
VT, November 12, 2003 - The National Grange continues its mission of grassroots
education by presenting a point/counterpoint discussion regarding "Vouchers and
School Choice in Rural Communities." Since 1869, rural communities in Vermont
have operated on a voucher system. Each year, the state pays the tuition for more
than 6,500 students in kindergarten through 12th grade to attend private schools,
according to the Cato Institute. The
"Vouchers and School Choice in Rural Communities" point/counterpoint will take
place at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel on 870 Williston Road at 8 p.m. on Thursday,
November 13, 2003. While
critics argue that vouchers lead to the establishment of fringe schools by skimming
the most talented, academically advanced students from public schools, supporters
argue that it is a parent's prerogative to select a child's school. In
Vermont, the voucher program has been a welcome part of the state's educational
landscape, but recent legal challenges and political discussions have challenged
this mindset as questions arise about the state's discrimination against parents
wanting to send their children to religious schools and whether or not voucher
programs are draining revenue from Vermont's public schools. Moderated
by Former Vermont Grange Master Darryl Lowery this event will feature experts
in the field of education who are both currently active in the state of Vermont's
fight for and against voucher programs. The experts include Sid Glassner, Executive
Director of the Vermont Society of the Study of Education, and Libby Sternberg,
Executive Director of the Vermonters for Better Education.
Founded
in 1867, the National Grange is the nation's oldest general agricultural and rural
advocacy organization. It has grassroots units in 3,600 local communities in 37
states, with over 200,000 members. It serves farm, non-farm, rural families
and communities on a wide variety of economic, educational, legislative and family
issues. For special media passes, please contact Shaletta
Espie at 443-418-8225 or nationalgrange@hotmail.com.
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