Philly.com reports....
TRENTON - A pilot program for school vouchers moved one step closer to reality Thursday, after a New Jersey Senate committee released the bill following hours of heated debate.
The legislation, which is supported by Gov. Christie, would create "opportunity scholarships" that would allow children from low-income families who live in areas with "chronically failing" public schools to attend private schools, including those with religious affiliations.
Supporters, including Christie, contend that children of all income levels should be allowed to opt out of failing public schools.
Critics argue that the scholarship program would hurt the failing public schools, by taking away students and funding.
The legislation, which is modeled on a similar program in Pennsylvania, has the support of an unusual coalition of Republicans and Democrats. In addition to Christie, supporters include Excellent Education for Everyone (E3), a school-choice advocacy group cofounded by Newark Mayor Cory Booker, and the Rev. Reginald Jackson, executive director of the influential Black Ministers' Council of New Jersey.
"The intent is to give children from low-income families who are forced to attend a chronically failing school simply because of their zip code the opportunity to receive a quality education," Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D., Union), a sponsor of the bill, told the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
He also said the program would save taxpayers money by helping to support private schools, because when private schools close, students often return to the public school system, increasing costs for taxpayers.
Similar legislation has been discussed for years in Trenton, but advocates hope that with a supporter in the governor's office, the bill will soon be signed into law.
The bill faces a tough road, though, with opponents that include the state's largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association; many Democratic lawmakers; and the New Jersey NAACP. Read more...
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