Update in education reform battles

The washington post reports:

"The Florida Supreme Court yesterday struck down a statewide education voucher system that uses taxpayer money to fund children attending private schools, energizing the national debate once more."

A few years ago, Florida created a scholarship type program that allowed students at "failing" schools to attend either a higher performing public school or a private school of their choice. I am a huge fan of any voucher program, and as much school choice as possible. More choice equals more innovation in education; and more importantly more accountability for the schools. Yesterday the Florida Supreme Court deemed this program unconstitutional. I read the ruling, and it is!

The problem is this language residing in the Florida constitution:
"The Legislature recognizes that the
voters of the State of Florida, in the November 1998 general election,
amended s. 1, Art. IX of the Florida Constitution so as to make
education a paramount duty of the state."

Almost anything that becomes a paramount duty of the state will almost suredly be un-paramount in performance!

Well, back to the drawing board for us proponents of school choice...aka freedom.