Condoleezza Rice Argues for School Choice as a Civil Rights Issue

Condoleezza Rice argues for school choice as a civil rights issue, highlighting its impact on low-income and minority students' education.

On June 6, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice highlighted the importance of school choice during a discussion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institution in California. Rice, who is currently the director of the Hoover Institute at Stanford University, emphasized that the lack of school freedom disproportionately affects low-income minority students.

Rice argued that the absence of school choice places low-income families in underfunded school districts, thus negatively impacting the education of their children. She emphasized that allowing children to remain in failing neighborhood schools condemns them to academic difficulties, including the inability to read by the third grade.

According to the U.S. Department of Education's National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), approximately one-third of American fourth graders read at or below the basic level, with even lower rates among low-income and minority students.

Rising Popularity of School Choice

School choice has gained traction in recent years, with 11 states passing universal school choice laws. Additionally, many states have implemented Education Savings Accounts, allowing parents to utilize public funds to cover various educational expenses, including private school tuition, instructional materials, and homeschooling costs.

Proponents of school choice, such as The Heritage Foundation, argue that it provides equitable opportunities for all students, irrespective of income levels and race, ultimately elevating the overall education level. On the other hand, critics, including the National Education Association, contend that voucher programs often fail to cover the entire cost of private school education and divert essential funding away from public schools.

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