We respectfully urge Gov. Sanford and members of the South Carolina General Assembly not to support the proposal to give tax credits to parents for tuition to private schools and home schooling (the so-called "Put Parents in Charge" legislation).

As a remedy for underperforming public schools, we believe that this proposal is misleading and ill- conceived.

In meeting its stated goals, we give it a failing grade.

We invite our governor and legislators to seriously consider the following:

There is very little "parental choice" enabled by this proposal. Sixty-five percent of four-person households in South Carolina have incomes at or below $50,000; 33 percent have incomes at or below $25,000.

How many of these parents will be able to front the cost for private school tuition, to say nothing of added fees and transportation?

It is unrealistic to assume that non-profit "scholarship granting organizations" will be able to fill the gap.

This bill will put money into the pockets of those parents who already are sending their children to private schools and into the hands of entrepreneurs who see an opportunity to profit by creating "private schools."

And where is the accountability?

How does it serve the public welfare to forego tax money without determining how the funds will be spent and evaluating the results?

We test public school students to

TUITION TAX CREDIT BILL

REPORT CARD

Increases parental control of education -- Unsatisfactory.

Improves public school performance -- Unsatisfactory.

Expands education opportunities for poor children -- Unsatisfactory.

Assures equity for all children -- Unsatisfactory.

Contributes to the general welfare -- Unsatisfactory.

determine how well they are meeting South Carolina's high standards.

How do we know that private schools will educate children up to these same standards?

Private schools have neither the mandate nor the resources to admit students with disabilities or discipline problems, or who are failing academically.

These are among the many children who will be left behind. Public schools will serve an increased proportion of students who require the greatest resources while, at the same time, they lose financial support. Just how does this make them "more competitive?"

Please understand. We do not believe that the public schools are performing well or progressing as fast as they should be. But we know that all children can learn with excellent teachers and a reinforcing environment.

There are schools in the Charleston area and throughout the state in which the majority of overwhelmingly poor and minority students reach and even surpass South Carolina's stringent requirements.

Why abandon them, turn our backs on their efforts and withdraw support?

This is, instead, the time to stimulate a quantum leap to excellence in all schools.

We urge our elected state officials to support early childhood education, promote community schools, reward innovative approaches, eliminate red tape, reform the governance systems, encourage professional development and restructure the funding formulas to expand opportunities in high-poverty schools.

Rather than tax credits for a few, let's invest in fostering high-performing schools for all children, regardless of their background, race and social status, their I.Q., handicaps, or family income.

Our democracy depends on universal public education to produce citizens who can govern themselves and fulfill their obligations as citizens.

Competition may produce better cars and computers; but competition should not be the foundation of our approach to education.

Our elected state officials have a constitutional and moral obligation to provide an adequate and equitable education for the children of South Carolina.

We urge them to focus their attention on improving public education. It's the right thing to do. It's the only thing to do.