A judge flunks Cleveland's use of vouchers for parochial schools. But will that stall the movement?
Walter Milancuk's public-school horror story began early, when his son Derrick spent kindergarten in an overcrowded roomful of students who regularly fought in class and cursed the teacher. Milancuk wanted to transfer Derrick, but his salary as a forklift driver couldn't cover private-school tuition. Yet Milancuk found a way out, thanks to Cleveland's pioneering school-voucher program, which granted him close to $1,500 in state funds to help enroll Derrick at St. Stanislaus, a nearby Catholic school. Now Derrick wears a crisp uniform. His reading has improved. And the weekly Mass and Bible study have moved Derrick to say his daily prayers without prompting. Says his dad, "The school is really building his faith."
That may prove to be more of a curse than a
blessing. Last week a federal judge struck down Cleveland's voucher program, ruling that it violates the constitutional separation of church and state. Citing Jefferson and Madison, Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. wrote that because four-fifths of the private schools participating in the voucher program are religious, the program robs parents of "genuine choice" between sectarian and secular schools, thus "advancing religion through government-supported religious indoctrination." The decision is the fourth in recent months to bar the use of vouchers in parochial schools, and voucher opponents--mainly teachers' unions and liberal interest groups--see it as a major victory.
Voucher backers--an unusual coalition of inner-city parents and conservative groups--retort that the judge misread both the Cleveland program and the First Amendment. They point out that Cleveland parents who don't like parochial schools can send their kids to the city's regular public schools, or to public charter schools and magnet schools. Clint Bolick, a lawyer for the Institute for Justice, which defended the voucher program, says, "No one can compel a child into the program or into a religious school."
Despite its recent setbacks, the voucher movement is gaining ground in state legislatures and some state courts. This fall Florida started the first statewide voucher program. And the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the use of vouchers in parochial schools in Milwaukee. In the presidential campaign, G.O.P. candidates John McCain and George W. Bush are trumpeting voucher proposals. While Vice President Al Gore launched an ad that calls vouchers a "big mistake," his Democratic opponent Bill Bradley supports them, at least as "experiments."
Though the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear several school-choice cases, legal experts suspect the more clear-cut Cleveland case might prod it into action. In the meantime, Judge Oliver is allowing Derrick Milancuk and nearly 4,000 other students in the Cleveland voucher program to remain in their schools while his ruling is on appeal.
By Jodie Morse Time; 12/31/99, Vol. 154 Issue 27, p220, 2/3p, 1c
注（1）：本文選自By Jodie Morse Time; 12/31/99, Vol. 154 Issue 27, p220, 2/3p, 1c
注（2）：本文習(xí)題命題模仿對(duì)象2004年真題text 2
1.What does the author intend to illustrate with Derrick’s change of performance in different schools?
[A] the role voucher program plays in helping children get better education
[B] the change a parochial school can bring to a child
[C] the poor education quality of public schools
[D] the importance of enrolling kids of poor performance in private schools
2.What can we infer from the second paragraph?
[A] Parents do not have a choice when they send their children to religious schools.
[B]. The judge’s ruling is helpful in building better public schools.
[C] Teaching religious stuff in schools is a violation of the Constitution.
[D] Teachers of public schools do not welcome the idea of voucher program.
3.What does “advance religion through government-supported religious indoctrination” (Line 5, Paragraph 2) mean?
[A] promote religious ideas in public schools with government support
[B] collect government resources to support religious activities
[C] help religious schools use public fund to spread religious ideas
[D] allow religion to interfere with government work
4. The 4th paragraph suggests that _________________.
[A] Judge Oliver’s ruling has caused political debate between the Republicans and the Democrats.
[B] George W. Bush is in favor of voucher program.
[C] Voucher program does more good than harm.
[D] Democrats have a low opinion of voucher program.
5. Which of the following is true according to the text?
[A] The author thinks that voucher program is more of a curse than a blessing.
[B] The U.S Supreme Court will not support voucher program.
[C] Parents will have no choice but send their children to religious schools if they join in the voucher program.
[D] Voucher program is still a controversial issue in legal and political areas.
答案：A D C B D
