Acting on a method that works

President Bush has proposed a Pell Grant for Kids program to offer over $300 million in scholarships to low-income students to attend the school of their choice. This program would apply only to children in schools that have not met the No Child Left Behind standards for the past five years or have a graduation rate of less than 60 percent. The money could pay for part of or all of the tuition for a child to attend another public school out of the child's home district or a private or faith-based school.

Pell Grants are currently used at the college level. College-bound students may apply for the federal grants and then use them at any participating college or university of their choosing. Here's an official definition of Federal Pell Grants:

"Federal Pell Grants are direct grants awarded through participating institutions to students with financial need who have not received their first bachelor's degree or who are enrolled in certain post baccalaureate programs that lead to teacher certification or licensure. Participating institutions either credit the Federal Pell Grant funds to the student's school account, pay the student directly (usually by check) or combine these methods. Students must be paid at least once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter); schools that do not use formally defined terms must pay the student at least twice per academic year." Visit the U.S. Department of Education to learn more.

Unlike a student loan, Pell Grants do not have to be repaid.

Higher education is a wonderful model of school choice for K-12 to emulate. Choice abounds in the college selection process. Parents and students are free to choose the best college or university suited for their interests, goals, and needs. It seems only logical to look at the higher education process, one that works, and apply its methods to K-12 education.

There is a lot of opposition to Bush's plan. Most speak about the need to provide more money to public education. There is usually no mention of the children or their needs. I've heard several times that the US spends more money per student in education than other countries yet when it comes to international assessments we rank pretty low. It would seem that more funding is not the answer.