School Voucher Law Unconstitutional, Colorado Judge Decides
NewsMax.com Wires
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003
DENVER – A judge declared Colorado's fledgling school voucher law unconstitutional Wednesday, saying it illegally stripped local school boards of control over education.
Denver District Judge Joseph Meyer issued an injunction barring implementation of the voucher plan, the first in the nation since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the issue last year.
"I see no way to interpret the voucher program statute in a way that does not run afoul of the principle of local control," he wrote. "The goals of the voucher program are laudable. However, even great ideas must be implemented within the framework of the Colorado Constitution."
The court challenge, filed by a coalition of teachers, religious and education groups, made Colorado the latest battleground in a nationwide fight over vouchers. Supporters say vouchers give poor parents a choice to take their children out of failing public schools and motivate those schools to get better.
Opponents object to giving state support to religious schools and contend the plan will undermine public education by siphoning off students and the tax dollars they bring.
© 2003 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Editor's note:
Get FREE traffic to your Web site INSTANTLY! Click here now!
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
School Choice
