Accountability, as well a financial resources, for education would be deminished if the S.C. General Assembly concurs with the governor's school choice plan.

In recent years, the legislature has mandated more accountability for the state's public schools and teachers. While demanding accountability, the Legislature also was mandating across-the-board budget reductions that cut the State Department of Education's finances by about $400 million.

Gov. Mark Sanford's school choice plan, "Put Parents in Charge Act," has been dubbed a backdoor voucher plan. It would strip away state tax dollars that could be used for education, while allowing parents to send their children to schools that aren't accountable under the same standards the state has established for public schools.

Questioned about choices for students in counties with poor-performing education systems, the governor said in January that educational entrepreneurs would fill the void. Last week he detailed how that could happen. Sanford said that his plan "brings a real market pressure to bear on the current system -- something that's been proven to help improve performance at public schools where similar choice measures have been implemented."

Critics say the education tax credit on propety or income taxes to send students to private schools would undermine the public school system, which already isn't funded to requirements of state law.

The proposal would allow families earning less than $75,000 a year an education tax credit on property or income taxes to use toward private education, home schooling or the cost of transferring a child to another school district. Families would be eligible for credits of 80 percent of school tuition, with caps of $3,200 for a kindergarten student, $4,000 for a student in first through eighth grades, and $4,600 for students in ninth through 12th grades.

In recent years, even with budget cuts, South Carolina students have made progress. Some districts have much work yet to accomplish, but over five years S.C. students had the highest percentage of increase in SAT scores nationwide. State standars used to judge school on annual report cards are among the most stringent in the nation, and national educators applauded the state for its standards and honesty. This progress shouldn't be underminded.

South Carolina has many fine private schools with well-qualified teachers. Examples can be found in Beaufort, on Hilton Head and in Jasper County. While those schools adher to strong standards, they don't have the state Department of Education and the legislature looking over their shoulders. They aren't judged by the same measurements.

Taking money from the public school system will only erode the system.

The governor and his legislative supporters must do more convincing on this issue. Just as all South Carolinians pay for the other important work of government, they should pay for this vital government service.