Dole Proposes Education Grants For School Children

MILWAUKEE (AllPolitics, July 18) -- Continuing the education theme of his midwestern campaign swing, Republican presidential candidate Robert Dole unveiled a "G.I. Bill" for school children. Dole's proposal would allow students to choose among public schools and use federal money toward private or religious schools.(192K WAV sound)

The "opportunity scholarships" plan would set aside $2.5 billion in federal money to be distributed as block grants and matched dollar-for-dollar by the states. The funds would provide up to four million low- to middle-income students with $1,000 a year for elementary school and $1,500 for high school.

"The federal government should be giving fewer orders and offering more options," Dole said today. "This is something we can do right now to make the American dream a reality for everyone."

Dole likened his secondary school proposal to federal college aid programs that provide needy students with money to use at any university they choose. Competition has made the American university system the best in the world, he said.

But critics from the Clinton Administration and the powerful teachers' unions said using federal money for religious schools could violate the separation of church and state. And Dole's grants won't fix what's wrong with the elementary schools, said Keith Geiger, president of the National Education Association.

"The answer is not running away from struggling or failing schools, but rolling up our sleeves to work together to create the best possible schools," Geiger said.

Clinton campaign press secretary Joe Lockhart said the "opportunities" Dole's plan would give to some students would reduce money earmarked for the public education.

"Bob Dole wants to tear down public education by pitting teachers against parents and dramatically reducing our investment in public schools," said Lockhart.

Dole Proposes Education Grants For School Children

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