NEA President Chase Criticizes Court Decision in Cleveland Voucher Case

National Education Association (NEA) President Bob Chase Monday (November 8, 1999) deplored the 5-4 decision of the Supreme Court that allows the Cleveland voucher program to continue while the constitutionality of the program is being litigated in the lower federal court.

"Legal and political wrangling simply divert Americans from addressing the urgent needs of America's public schools," said Chase. "Public school critics know that as long as they can keep fire fights on private school vouchers going, the less time can be devoted to the difficult work of helping schools and students that need help most."

"When American families sit around the kitchen table talking about aspirations for their children, they aren't talking about vouchers," Chase said. "Parents don't want a voucher. They want good schools in their neighborhood, schools with small classes, qualified teachers, and the latest equipment and materials."

"Vouchers simply take us farther away from those goals - and away from getting serious about the hard work of sustaining and improving public schools, with all they have accomplished for our nation."

NEA and the Ohio Education Association are among a number of organizations that are supporting a lawsuit charging that the Cleveland voucher program is unconstitutional. NEA General Counsel Robert Chanin is the lead attorney in the case.