On the recordMarch 30, 2011
If the elected officials and people of Washington, D.C., wanted a system of school vouchers, they would have created it and not relied on the Federal Government. The important moral imperative of education reform can occur with or without vouchers, and at this point in time, I think it's critical to give education reformers that are hard at work in the District of Columbia a chance to succeed on a route that they have laid out, which apparently does not include vouchers at this time. I will continue to push for D.C. statehood and for a Federal role that encourages transparency and accountability, improves and builds upon our successes in public education, and makes sure that we change what doesn't work, with the tools and discretion at the local level to make those tough decisions.





