Publisher: A brighter future for Louisiana’s children has begun

During a recent community meeting on education featuring state schools Superintendent John White, Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister sat in the back row listening to LeAnn Mason talk about her daughters and her dreams for them. Of the private school two of her three children are able to attend because of the state’s new voucher program, Mason said: “My babies are reading, writing cursive and blossoming. This is going to help my children out of poverty.” “My heart was in my throat,” McCollister recalls in his new column. “Many of us take a good education for granted, but this mom was so excited for her children and her voice had a ring of hope. And I could sense the pride she had in being a good mom, doing what is best for her children.” Mason was among many parents who praised the new voucher program on that occasion. McCollister says their stories cumulatively convey the reason Louisiana needs to continue on the path of school reform despite legal challenges from teachers unions and other critics. “White, as well as Eric Lewis of [Black Alliance for Educational Options], made it clear that the program many of these parents love so much is under attack,” McCollister writes. As Lewis told those in attendance: “There are folks who get up every morning, and their mission is to come into your home and take away your right to choose the best school for your child. We ask you to fight to stop them.” Read the full column—which includes a video clip of Mason’s talk at the recent community meeting—here. Send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.