That isn't fair to the kids, nor to the taxpayers.

I don't believe that vouchers are the answer to our urban education problems.

That is a disgrace, that in the capital city of our great Nation we are so failing the students who live here.

I think it's important to the economy, to business, and to the politics of every city, that there are choices for the families when they come to those cities.

It's time for an honest appraisal. Have those resources made a difference? How do we know that?

100 percent versus 79 percent.

It seems to me that if a school is heavily voucher school, it would merit more investigation and oversight.

the DC voucher program has proven to be the most effective education policy evaluated by the Federal Government's official education research arm so far.

But, there is a quadrant, or--I shouldn't say 'quadrant'--a cadre of these voucher schools really are going unaccounted for.

We have to think--we're all working now, across the United States--Notre Dame, everyone--to come up with better ways of doing this.

There's going to have to be more accountability from your agency too, when this is all over.

How do you ensure the fiscal solvency of the schools?

Each dollar appropriated to the OSP program is a dollar well spent.

Teachers are paid better in the charter school system and in the public school system than they're paid in many Catholic schools.

I won't second-guess what you're about, because I know you have an important mission and some hard decisions that have to be made.

We can't take that choice away from families.

When we talk about the voucher schools, D.C. Opportunity Scholarships, chances are 50 percent we're talking about Catholic schools.

Even though the amendment was defeated when the program was created, we now generally agree it's a good idea.

And, Mr. Cork, can you say that all of the voucher schools, the 59 voucher schools, are either accredited or in the process of being accredited?

Do you get together? Do the principals and teachers of charter schools come together to discuss results and best practices?

I believe that Federal funding has helped improve education in the District of Columbia and leverage important reforms.

It's a little different situation, in terms of accreditation. And I don't understand why--if this is a common standard, why it wouldn't apply to the voucher schools, as well.

What are we to make of the schools, which are receiving voucher scholarship money, that are not accredited?

When I look at my State, particularly at the city of Chicago, whether it's in the public school area or the charter school area, there are a lot of flowers blooming.

The problem with education is, everybody's an expert.