News Release

NEA Successfully Challenges Colorado Voucher Law

Decision protects local control of public schools

Washington, D.C. -- The National Education Association (NEA) and the Colorado Education Association (CEA) today won a victory in blocking Gov. Bill Owens' attempt to impose vouchers on the state's public schools.

The Denver District Court said the voucher program violated the guaranteed right of public school districts to control education under the state's constitution.
 
"This decision is a victory for the children of Colorado, the state of Colorado and all of public education," NEA President Reg Weaver said.

"The children of Colorado need highly-qualified and certified teachers and smaller class sizes, better discipline and programs that get more parents involved," Weaver said.  "Anything that diverts resources from providing these tools is wrong.  And that is what vouchers do."

NEA and CEA sponsored the suit Colorado PTA v. Owens on behalf of Colorado parents, educators and taxpayers in the 11 school districts forced to participate in the voucher program. 

State budget officials estimated that public schools could have lost more than $190 million over four years to the voucher program.

December 3, 2003

For More Information:
NEA Communications: 202-822-7200

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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.