Sidwell Friends and School Choice

Remember the shock announcement that the Obamas won't send their children to D.C. area government schools? Two more items on the story ... (pic via WSJ and AP)

The Sidwell Choice - WSJ.com: "'A number of great schools were considered,' said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Obama. 'In the end, the Obamas selected the school that was the best fit for what their daughters need right now.' Note the word 'selected,' as in made a choice. The Obamas are fortunate to have the means to send their daughters to private school, and no one begrudges them that choice given that Washington's public schools are among the worst in America."

Change Our Public Schools Need - WSJ.com: "Democrats also have to get serious about school choice. The unions oppose it because they don't want one student or one dollar to leave the regular public schools, where their members teach. So the Democrats have been timid and weak in putting choice to productive use -- even though their constituents are the ones trapped in deplorably bad urban schools, whose futures are being ruined, and who are desperate for new educational opportunities. If children were their sole concern, Democrats would be the champions of school choice. They would help parents put their kids into whatever good schools are out there, including private schools. They would vastly increase the number of charter schools. They would see competition as healthy and necessary for the regular public schools, which should never be allowed to take kids and money for granted."

Earlier Post:
School Choice is for the Privileged Class Only