RULING BY NATION'S HIGHEST COURT IS AFFIRMING FOR PARENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2002
Contact:  Larry Keough
(850) 222-3803
E-mail:  lkeough@flacathconf.org

Tallahassee, FL (June 27, 2002) – The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in which the Cleveland school-choice program was declared constitutional is a victory for parents and children, especially those who are poor, said Larry Keough, associate for education of the Florida Catholic Conference.

  “We anticipate that the ruling will lay a foundation for parents to have greater flexibility to choose a public or private school for their children,” Keough said.  “It is our great hope that the constitutionality of the Cleveland program will expand parental choice so parents are not burdened financially for exercising this fundamental right on behalf of their children.”

  The ruling, Keough said, provides a confidence boost as Catholic and other nonpublic schools expand their participation in Florida’s three statewide school choice programs -- the Opportunity Scholarship Program, McKay Scholarship Program for Students with Disabilities and the Corporate Tax Scholarship Program.

  School choice proponents are optimistic that the ruling by the nation’s high court will serve as a precedent in the Opportunity Scholarship case, which is pending in Leon Circuit Court. Regardless of the decision in that circuit court, proponents and opponents agree that the Florida case will be appealed to the state’s highest court for review.

  The Florida Catholic Conference has steadfastly advocated for school choice, primarily on the basis of social justice so all children, regardless of their family’s income, have the opportunity to attend the schools that their parents deem are best suited for them.  Another key precept for the Catholic Conference’s support of schools choice is the belief that parents, as the first and foremost educators of their children, know best which schools are suited for their children.