wfn.org | Education bill cause for concern

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

May 30, 2001 News media contact: Thomas S. McAnally·(615)742-5470·Nashville,
Tenn.     10-21-71B{248}

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - Proposed legislation on vouchers and block grants in the
U.S. Congress represent an "unnecessary and dangerous diversion from
creating healthy schools," according to the staff executive for United
Methodism's Board of Church and Society.

In a statement issued May 29, Jim Winkler points to United Methodist policy
adopted by the 2000 General Conference which affirms that public funds
should be used for public purposes. 

"To divert federal funding away from public schools would hinder rather than
help students in the public school system, and that is where 90 percent of
our children attend school," he said.  The Board of Church and Society is an
international social justice and advocacy agency headquartered in
Washington.  The board speaks out on issues that have been identified by the
church's General Conference, the only group that speaks officially for the
whole church.  The most recent conference was held in May 2000 in Cleveland.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is the largest piece of
legislation for helping children in public schools before the U.S. Congress.
The House of Representatives passed their version of the bill that
reauthorizes the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act with all school
voucher provisions stripped out of the final version.  The bill is to come
before the Senate the week of June 4.

Winkler expressed hope that the Senate would also "steer away from issues
that are not relevant to children's school performance.  

"To continue to push for vouchers instead of focusing on pressing needs and
programs that work is not what the American people want from their elected
officials, nor does it enjoy the support of most people of faith in this
country,"  he said. 

#  #  #

The full text of Winkler's statement follows:

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is the largest piece of
legislation for helping children in public schools before the United Sates
Congress.  The House of Representatives passed their version of the bill (HR
1) that reauthorizes the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act with
all school voucher provisions stripped out of the final version. ESEA is
scheduled to come up in the Senate the week of June 4 (Senate Bill 1).

The general secretary of the General Board of Church and Society of the
United Methodist Church, James Winkler, is expressing concern about ESEA.
"We hope that the Senate will have the same wisdom as the House to steer
away from issues that are not relevant to children's school performance," he
said. "To continue to push for vouchers instead of focusing on pressing
needs and programs that work is not what the American people want from their
elected officials, nor does it enjoy the support of most people of faith in
this country."

"In the Senate," Winkler added, "we must make sure that the 21st Century
Community Learning Centers receive the financial support that they need to
continue to produce the great results achieved in the past."

The proposed legislation on vouchers and block grants in Congress represent
an unnecessary and dangerous diversion from creating healthy schools,
Winkler said. "The United Methodist Church affirms that 'public funds should
be used for public purposes' (The Book of Resolutions 2000, page 620).
Public
funds should go to public schools where the need is greater.  To divert
federal funding away from public schools would hinder rather than help
students in the public school system, and that is where 90 percent  of our
children
attend school."

Winkler urged Congress "to continue to reject vouchers and to support
programs that can truly help students succeed. Congress should be focusing
on providing adequate resources to programs that work and to ideas that seek
to strengthen our public education instead of undermining its effectiveness.
Congress should be working to make sure that the children in America who
attend public schools are ready to learn and grow to become the leaders of
our nation."

Only General Conference speaks officially for the whole church.
The General Board of Church and Society is the international social justice
and advocacy agency of the United Methodist Church.
#  #  #

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United Methodist News Service
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