U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today issued the following statement on the Zelman v. Simmons-Harris school voucher case, which is being argued before the U.S. Supreme Court today:

Throughout America, far too many children are trapped in failing schools. These children need and deserve access to a quality education, and their parents should be empowered to help them achieve their dreams. That's precisely the focus of this case.

Those who oppose empowering parents to select the best school for their children argue that school-choice programs would somehow hurt the system of public education. I reject this argument.

As a nation, we must focus squarely on the needs of children and parents, not on perpetuating the status quo, especially in those areas where the system has failed to adequately serve its students. If I have to choose between protecting the system and educating the children, I'll choose the children every time. We must help those children who need it most, especially in our competitive global economy.

The outcome of this case will lift the constitutional cloud hanging over school-choice programs and may well determine the educational destiny of millions of American children. I will continue to be a steadfast advocate for improving all our schools and for empowering parents to select the best possible education for their children.

Top

Back to February 2002