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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2003

News Release

Statement of NEA President Reg Weaver on President Bush's Call for Federal Tuition Vouchers 

The baseline for any education reform proposal ought to be whether or not it improves student achievement.  After numerous experiments and millions of dollars, there is no consistent evidence that private school tuition vouchers improve educational opportunities for students in private or public schools. 

Members of the National Education Association support high standards for students, teachers, and schools, and we support accountability systems that help address needs and spur improvements.  Research confirms what parents and teachers know:  reducing class size and enhancing teacher quality make a real difference in the quality of education and the lives of children.

NEA hopes that the President and other elected officials will turn their attention away from vouchers and join us in helping make public schools great for every child. 

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.