Senator Ford speaks the truth

Here's our own Senator Robert Ford in The State paper on Sunday stating vouchers are the way to go. "...Ford is making the case that the students who would benefit most from a voucher-style program in South Carolina are African-Americans who attend poorly performing schools."

"He dismisses those who say his program would hurt already struggling public schools, framing the argument as a choice between protecting schools or giving children the lifeline they need to succeed."

“You’re damn right I’m hurting public education, because public education is hurting our kids,” Ford said."

I couldn't agree with that quote more.

Fraser parents aren't going away quietly, despite our downtown representative on the school board insisting that CCSD will now begin to better education our inner-city youth. In Monday's paper it states Ms. Toya Green believes "the only way to offer a better education to students is to try something different."

My hat is off to Fraser parents, especially Latonya Gamble. According to today's Post and Courier, Fraser parents are seeking an opinion from the Office for Civil Rights as to whether their children are being racially discriminated against with regards to school closings. "Fewer than 75 white students attend the five schools that will be closed."

While CCSD claims they set up criteria and the targeted schools (excluding Charlestowne Academy) fit it, it makes you wonder. In a budget crisis, everyone should be making sacrifices. Yet who else is?

Ms. Gamble "questioned how the district planned to improve education for students by sending them to other failing schools." Sounds like a damn good question to me.