As a member of the General Assembly who supports more education choice for parents, I am responding to my friend Al Cross’ recent editorial opposing the amendment.
It is ironic that Cross uses unsupported claims that advertisements for the amendment are unsupported by evidence. Adding to many other ridiculous speculations, he asserts the General Assembly would subsidize “dune buggies and expensive Lego sets” like he incorrectly claims was done in Arizona.
First, there is strong evidence that education choice improves the performance of all students, including those in traditional public schools. A study released by the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) just this month shows that charter schools improve the performance of students who attend, and that increased competition improves the performance of nearby traditional public schools. PPI is no right-wing institution – as described on its website, “founded in 1989, PPI started as the intellectual birthplace of the New Democrat and ‘Third Way’ movements, earning a reputation as President Bill Clinton’s ‘idea mill.’”

PPI studied charter schools (such schools are public schools run by a private board subject to a “charter,” or contract, with voluntary enrollment and no tuition costs), in ten cities with a high rate of charter school enrollment. It found that “over the last decade, cities that have aggressively expanded high-quality public school choices available to students have seen a true rising tide: Low-income students across these cities – whether they attend a public charter or district-operated school – have started to catch up to statewide student performance levels.”
PPI further found that “in the 10 U.S. cities serving majority low-income students with at least one-third enrolled in charter schools, low-income students citywide have made meaningful progress [25-40% improvement] toward achieving on par with students statewide.” These results are consistent with studies that motivated the General Assembly to place Amendment 2 on the ballot.
Second, Cross states “teacher pay has risen in Kentucky, too, but not enough to keep up with competing states.” He fails to acknowledge that those competing states with higher teacher pay have some form of parental choice in education. Cross’s own assertion is evidence that educational choice raises teacher salaries
Cross wants voters to vote “no” on amendment 2 to tell the General Assembly not to “go too far,” but fails to communicate:
1. All states contiguous to Kentucky have some form of education choice.
2. 44 states have charter schools enrolling a total of 3.7 million students.
3. 21 states have tax credit scholarships.
4. Hundreds of millions of dollars in annual federal funding supporting the development of such schools are being left for others by Kentucky.
For years, choice has been a normal part of the education landscape for families in many of our neighboring states. Cross speculates it is “too far,” but like teacher salaries – education innovation in other states is already leaving Kentucky students behind.
The General Assembly previously passed tax credit scholarships for children of low- and middle-income families trapped in failing schools, as well as charter school legislation, but these efforts have been struck down as unconstitutional (tax credit scholarships) or are currently suspended by litigation (charter schools). Amendment 2 simply enables the General Assembly to use its normal legislative process, including public input and regular elections, to catch up educationally with other states and tap into additional Federal funds.
As Cross knows, the Kentucky General Assembly will never subsidize “dune buggies and expensive Lego sets” and neither did Arizona lawmakers. Stateline reported some “tried” to buy those items – not that they were lawful to purchase. You cannot stop someone from trying, but available technology provides tighter fiscal controls than found in most Kentucky school districts.
Many students in Kentucky are behind. Amendment 2 supporters want to spark educational improvements for children in underperforming schools with school choice measures that are active in other states. Each child is unique and learns differently, and parents deserve educational choices that work for their child.
If you seek the same for Kentucky, please join me in voting “yes” on Amendment #2.
Senator Gex Williams represents Kentucky’s 20th district encompassing parts ofpPart of Boone County, Carroll County, Franklin County, Gallatin County, part of Kenton county and Owen County.