Updated FRIDAY June 16, 2000

Program helps finance school vouchers for children

By Nicole Hughes
The Wichita Eagle

More than two dozen business leaders, politicians and education activists gathered Thursday to learn about CEO Kansas -- a new, privately funded voucher program making its way into Wichita.

Over grilled chicken, steamed vegetables and wild rice at downtown's Petroleum Club, longtime education activist Cindy Duckett urged people to financially support the program, which would give poor families money to help send their children to schools of their choice.

The program is modeled after similar ones across the country -- in Indianapolis, New York City, Milwaukee, Miami, San Antonio and several other cities. They all fall under the umbrella of Children First CEO America, based in Bentonville, Ark.

The president of the foundation, Fritz Steiger, was in Wichita on Thursday to explain how the program works and to answer questions.

Since the national foundation began in 1992, roughly $300 million in private funds has helped more than 100,000 students attend private schools. There are more than 80 CEO organizations like CEO Kansas in 32 states.

This fall, more than 50,000 students who had been enrolled in public schools will start the school year in private ones.

"It's about empowering parents to choose a school they think is best," Steiger said.

And Duckett agrees: "Choice is choice. What I think is right for my kids is what I should decide."

In many inner-city schools, such as those in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City, Steiger said, the quality of public education is not good.

"Education is the only way out of poverty and a low economic lifestyle," Steiger said. "Parents are willing to make sacrifices to send their kids to get a good education."

But Steiger stresses the program is not meant to attack public schools. It's meant to offer a choice to parents and improve public schools through competition.

After surveying Wichita private schools, Duckett said, she learned the average tuition is between $2,000 and $2,900 a year. Following federal income guidelines for the free and reduced lunch program, CEO Kansas will pay a portion of tuition, with a $1,500 cap.

Although Duckett's program has not yet been granted federal tax-exempt, nonprofit status, Duckett hopes to raise enough money to begin giving out scholarships this fall. Families would be chosen by lottery, and there would be no academic requirements to qualify for the funds.

For more information about CEO Kansas, contact Duckett by phone, 942-4545, or e-mail, CEO-Kansas@prodigy.net. Or click on www2.southwind.net/ ~educate/CEOKansas.html.