He reports the D.C. public schools as graduating "just over half the children." The actual D.C. graduation rate for 2009 was 72.3%. Compare that with the Bartow County School Systems, which reported a graduation rate of 76.4% the same year. Fortunately, both school systems are improving, and I'm proud of how all of our teachers and students have weathered these very difficult times.
Students in D.C. who attended private schools with vouchers did graduate at a higher rate, but one exhaustive study found they did not improve academically by any statistical measure. Does this mean the standards at some private schools were not as rigorous?
I don't know. I do know most of these students spent more time studying doctrine associated with various religious groups. With a limited budget, 80 percent of voucher-receiving students ended up attending more affordable, faith-based schools. In fact, 53 percent of all voucher-receiving students went to Catholic schools.
I am not a Catholic, but some of the smartest people I know were educated at Catholic schools. I'm not questioning the quality. I do question whether any faith-based schools should receive money via government vouchers.
Mr. DeBroux, who studies the Constitution, may think I'm making too much of separation of church and state. If so, I suggest that his concern for minority school students be tested in Detroit, where a significant number of voucher-receiving students would choose to attend Muslim private schools. How would the Republican Party and Speaker Boehner feel about that?
Ray Robertson
Cartersville