All Children Matter Information

As the South Carolina and national chairmen, respectively, of All Children Matter, we are committed to fighting for a solution to this staggering problem in South Carolina and throughout the nation. All Children Matter is a political action committee committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of race or income, have access to a quality education. This means school choice in the form of charter schools and tuition tax credits - relevant issues already before the Legislature - to give parents greater control of their children's education. Critics either refuse to admit that some schools are failing our disadvantaged students, or they propose tired, old solutions such as increasing taxes and throwing more money at the problem. For example, Allendale County, home to one of South Carolina's worst-performing school districts, spent $10,746 per student in 2002, $2,422 more than the state average. Yet, approximately half of its students failed both the math and reading sections on the 2003 Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test, and its 2003 SAT scores were among the lowest in the state. All Children Matter's role is to represent the interests of those parents and children, in places such as Allendale County, who do not have the opportunity to speak for themselves. Most middle- and upper-income families already have school choice. They have the means to move to the neighborhood with the best school system. It is the underserved and underprivileged who are forced to remain in failing schools because they do not have the economic means to move to a better school district or send their children to a private school. During South Carolina's June primary and runoff, All Children Matter spoke on behalf of these South Carolinians by conducting independent ad campaigns in five state legislative campaigns, supporting winning candidates in four of them. As was the case in these races, we often discuss issues other than education in our ads. That is because we want to talk to voters about a variety of issues that are important to them. That isn't hiding what we stand for; that's just using common sense when it comes to winning elections. We are very proud of All Children Matter's mission, and we encourage people to visit our Web site (www.AllChildrenMatter.org) to learn more about school choice and our organization. Despite the objections of critics, school choice is expanding, and children throughout the nation are reaping the benefits, because parents are demanding more choices. Milwaukee is home to the nation's longest-running school choice program. About 80 percent of students in the Milwaukee program are racial or ethnic minorities, and the schools in the program are more racially diverse than Milwaukee's public schools. School choice reforms have not only given low-income children greater access to a quality education, by allowing them to transfer to successful schools; they also have driven the public school system to improve. >From 1997 to 2003, Milwaukee Public Schools improved in 13 of 15 grade and subject categories. Former opponents of the program now give it their unwavering support, and even critics are begrudgingly forced to admit its impact. One of its leading promoters, Howard Fuller, is a former superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools. It is not our intent to advocate for a Milwaukee-style program, but merely to showcase the strides of other school choice programs and our belief that South Carolina can experience the same success. Led by a South Carolinian, and with input from many South Carolinians, All Children Matter will help to elect legislative leaders who share this concern for quality education. Together, we can shape a school reform plan that specifically meets the needs of South Carolina's children. Fortunately, many children are in public schools that serve them well. These schools will continue to thrive because of their excellence and would not be negatively impacted by school choice. We expect those who oppose giving low-income parents the power to choose the best school for their children to continue to be critical. However, even they should agree with us on this: A vigorous debate over how to improve education is in the best interest of the children of South Carolina, and All Children Matter's involvement in South Carolina is helping to further that discussion. All Children Matter represents a positive, innovative vision for the future of education in South Carolina, and we will continue to speak on behalf of the less fortunate until that time when all South Carolina children are set free from failing schools. Mr. Brown is the co-owner of Colite International, a West Columbia sign manufacturer. Mr. DeVos is former president of Alticor Corp., based in Grand Rapids, Mich., and a former member of the Michigan Board of Education.