Amid Coronavirus, Democratic Party Takes Aim at School Choice

Push to eliminate vouchers unsettles parents, especially low-income minorities

Chrissy Clark
August 24, 2020 4:59 AM

The Democratic Party's 2020 education platform includes the elimination of private school vouchers, which are popular with many parents—especially blacks and Latinos—amid the coronavirus pandemic.

DeVos: Families Could Use Federal Funds Elsewhere If Pandemic Closes Schools

Reuters
July 9, 2020 11:24 AM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration will not cut federal education spending but could allow families to use funds elsewhere if their school does not open amid the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. education secretary said on Thursday, a day after Trump threatened to cut funding.

Steyer Slams Private Education, Sent Kids to Pricey Prep School

Tom Steyer Campaigns In Iowa Ahead Of Caucus

Charles Fain Lehman
January 28, 2020 2:20 PM

2020 contender Tom Steyer has sung the praises of public schools and opposes spending tax dollars on private ones, even though records show he paid for a $50,000-a-year education for his children.

Dem Voters Don’t Want to Defund Charter Schools

Poll finds majority opposition to Sanders, Warren proposal

Charles Fain Lehman
January 28, 2020 5:00 AM

A majority of Democratic primary voters, as well as of black and Latino voters, say they would be less likely to vote for a 2020 contender who would stop funding charter schools.

Warren to Parents: You Fix the Public Schools

'You don't like the building? You think it's old and decaying? Then get out there and push for a new one'

Collin Anderson
December 6, 2019 5:00 PM

Presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) says the burden should be on parents to fix public education, urging parents who want options beyond failing schools to pay for improvements and services themselves.

Black and Latino Voters Blast Dem ‘Establishment’ for Opposing Charter Schools

Paul Crookston
November 26, 2019 2:10 PM

As top Democratic 2020 candidates unveil plans to curb or reverse the spread of charter schools, many Black and Latino voters are asking why their voices aren't being heard.

Warren Flummoxed by School Choice Protesters

Graham Piro
November 22, 2019 2:45 PM

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) didn't know how to handle protesters during a Thursday rally and was heard asking Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D., Mass.), "What do we do with this?"

WaPo Editorial Board Blasts Warren for Caving to Unions on Charter Schools

'The losers in these political calculations are the children whom charters help' (Updated)

David Rutz
October 29, 2019 1:15 PM

The Washington Post editorial board blasted 2020 hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) Monday for her opposition to charter schools, accusing her of folding to teachers' unions and saying that children come out "losers" in her plan.

Study Links School Choice to Crime Reduction

Students who participated in voucher program less likely than peers to be arrested

Patrick Hauf
July 11, 2019 5:00 AM

The study, authored by Prof. Patrick J. Wolf of the University of Arkansas and Corey A. DeAngelis, Director of School Choice for the Reason Foundation, found that participation in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) lowered the chances of a student being convicted of a crime in adulthood.

Washington Post Editorial Board Slams Sanders, Teachers Unions for Charter School Opposition

Sen. Bernie Sanders Participates In A Fox News Town Hall In Pennsylvania

David Rutz
May 28, 2019 10:50 AM

The Washington Post slammed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and teachers unions in an editorial Monday for their stark stance against charter schools, saying the schools help rather than hurt minority students.