Statement by Edward J. McElroy
Secretary-Treasurer, American Federation of Teachers
on Colorado Supreme Court Decision Blocking Vouchers

(The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that the state’s school voucher program is unconstitutional under the state constitution because it would have required school districts to turn over public funds to private schools, over which local school boards have no control.)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—It is heartening that the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that public dollars should be spent on public education with public oversight. The public demands academic and fiscal accountability, dual goals that never would have been met if Colorado had been able to turn over money to private schools without any local control.

The U.S. Supreme Court may have opened the door for states to implement voucher programs, but they’re still running into a constitutional cement wall. Colorado and other states should turn their attention to programs to raise student achievement that are proven and work for all our children.

AFT joined with other organizations to support the challenge to Colorado’s voucher program.

# # # #