In other news, Wisconsin Catholic Conference supports school voucher program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2013
CATHOLIC CONFERENCE ON STATE BUDGET:
EXPAND SCHOOL CHOICE, PROTECT HEALTH CARE FOR POOR

As the public policy voice of Wisconsin’s Roman Catholic bishops, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference(WCC) supports and affirms many of the measures included in Governor Scott Walker’s 2013-15 state biennial budget proposal. However, the WCC has some concerns that may require further review and revision.

The WCC supports the promotion of innovative and quality education in the budget, including the expansion of parental choice programs and the creation of the Special Needs Scholarship Program. Both proposals area step forward in empowering all parents with the ability to choose a school that best meets their child’s needs.

John Huebscher, Executive Director of the WCC, said that by giving more parents around the state a greater say in the education of their children,the initiatives further a basic tenet of Catholic social teaching.“We support parental choice as a matter of principle,” he noted. “This isn’t about whether a Catholic school exists in a particular community and could participate in the program.  It is about affirming measures that support parents as the primary educators of their children. These programs recognize that those of limited means often have limited options.”

Nor, he added, should support for school choice initiatives be seen as a threat to, or an indictment of, public education. “Catholic schools are not competitors with their public counterparts, but partners,” Huebscher explained. “Indeed, we continue to respect the excellence evident in many public schools. But we maintain that taxpayer support for both public and private institutions is a hallmark of our democracy. For example, Catholic hospitals and Catholic universities have long existed side-by-side with public hospitals and universities. All receive federal and state funds in order to assist low-income individuals. So too, should it be with primary and secondary schools.”

continue at Wisconsin Family Conference

Bravo!

Some other coverage at GBPG