Romney: American kids get ‘third-world education’

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Charging that American students are getting a “third-world education” under President Barack Obama, Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney on Wednesday proposed a voucher-style system that could significantly alter the public school system and revive the debate over school choice.

Romney, who has been reluctant to stray far from the economic issues at the core of the presidential campaign, outlined the proposal during a speech Wednesday at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“Millions of kids are getting a third-world education. And America’s minority children suffer the most,” Romney declared. “This is the civil-rights issue of our era. And it’s the great challenge of our time.”

He continued: “President Obama has made his choice, and I have made mine. As president, I will be a champion of real education reform in America.”

Romney said he would let low-income and disabled students use federal money to attend public schools, public charter schools and, in some cases, private schools. Federal funds could also be used for tutoring or digital courses.

The plan is line with GOP reforms aimed at giving students more educational choices. But it’s unclear how schools in areas that depend on the federal funding would fare.

The proposal was not expected to include any new federal money for education.

Romney so far has offered few details for his plans on several key policy areas, including foreign policy, health care and education.