(Richland) March 23, 2005 - A group of black
ministers says school choice could close the achievement
gap between black and white students in South Carolina.
They have formed a group called CEO, which stands for
Clergy for Educational Options.
The six Midlands pastors who gathered at the State
House Wednesday afternoon stopped short of publicly
endorsing the Put Parents in Charge Act. That's the
proposal that would allow families to use tax credits to
send their child to the school of their choice.
The group says they haven't made up their minds yet
on the legislation, but do like the idea of school
choice. Pastor Derrick Hutchins of the Family Worship
Center was one of the group, "Parents have a right to
select a school with the best learning environment
possible, not just what's available in their
neighborhoods."
Senator Darrell Jackson of Richland County also
participated, "Well, what about the parent who can't
afford the upfront tuition. They tell you there will be
scholarships. Not for everyone who wants to go, so
here's what I say, take private money for private
schools."
While the ministers won't back Put Parents in
Charge, they do like one particular part of the bill.
All but one of the men has a school at their church and
if the bill passes, those schools could start taking
some money from the state and private scholarship funds,
and they hope new schools will be established as
well.
Pastor Derrick Hutchins of the Family Worship Center
has ideas for the funds, "Let's start a school for those
who have been kicked out. Let's create an environment
that's controlled and will help stimulate them. Let's
put in male teachers, black role models."
Senator Jackson is also pastor of Bibleway Church of
Atlas Road, but does not agree with that group, "There's
nothing that's preventing Bibleway from opening a school
right now for at-risk youth. The difference is that I'm
not asking to take money away from public education to
do it. If Bibleway chooses to do that, then Bibleway
should fund that."
Reported by Craig
Melvin
Posted 5:00pm by Chantelle
Janelle
