NAACP speaks out against new school choice bill

It’s a long standing debate, that’s once again stirring controversy and strong criticism against a South Carolina Senator. Charleston democratic senator Robert Ford is pushing the 2009 Education Opportunity Act.  It’s a bill that will give parents 24-hundred dollars in tax credits for taking their kids out of failing public schools, and sending them to private schools, or home school. 

Similar bills have been pushed before in the state, but by republicans.  The NAACP and other groups are speaking out about the legislation.  The coalition in opposition to the bill is called CUPS, Community United for Public Schools.  It’s comprised of ten different groups, including the NAACP, ACLU, League of Women Voters, Ministerial Alliance, and members of the Legislative Black Caucus. Former Charleston County school board chair Hillery Douglas says, “If we are not successful in convincing Robert Ford to withdraw this bill, then all of us here, need to raise enough money to buy Robert back.“  Dot Scott, president of Charleston Branch NAACP says if the legislation passes, it would be devastating to public schools.  The group has started a petition against the bill.  Scott says, “My biggest opposition is not against private schools, it’s about the resources that’s available.  We understand should this legislation pass, it would be devastating to public schools.  What disturbs us most, here is the senator that’s speaking for the people in his district, and not to talking to them.  If he can have a forum to speak about the gaming issue, surely education would be one that he would want to speak out to the parents.“

News 2 took the groups’ concerns to Senator Robert Ford.  He says, “This is about failing schools.  What we going to do about it, nothing? The top worst 100 schools in America, 38 are right here in South Carolina.  Why would you continue to pour money after money, billions and billions of dollars into a failing school program.  That’s what we have here in South Carolina.  People get a life.“  Ford says he has a lot of support for the bill, but even if he did not, he says he would continue to push the bill.  Ford says, “Lets say not one person in my district was supporting this. I’ll be supporting it.  Why? Because this is the right thing to do. I’m not going to let any more kids graduate from failing schools if i can help it.“  As to the allegations that he was bought, Ford says, “Yeah I’ve been bought.  I was bought when I was 14 years old. The Lord provided me with one ability, to be an organizer.  Dr. Martin Luther King took me to be a staff member, ever since that day my whole life has gone to help liberate under privileged Americans.  That’s why I went to jail 73 times.  I have not taken a penny from nobody in my life, for no kind of personal reason, none.“

For now the controversial debate continues, Dot Scott says, “I want him to withdraw it.  If he doesn’t withdraw it, he needs to understand it starts here,  but it will not end here.“  Ford says he will do a poll on the issue, but has no plans to have a public meeting at this time.  He says nineteen states have already passed similar bills.  Right now, the 2009 Education Opportunity Act is in senate and house education committees.