DETROIT -- National, statewide and local leaders and education experts held strategy sessions and workshops with Detroit residents today alerting them to the problems with vouchers and helping mobilize citizens in support of real reforms that benefit all children. The Partners for Public Education's 'Every Child Counts' event was organized as part of a national campaign in support of public schools by People For the American Way Foundation and the NAACP.

"Our children's future lies not in the false promises of voucher experiments, but in the commitment to provide a quality education for every child," said president of People For the American Way Foundation Carole Shields. "To ensure 'Every Child Counts' we need resources to update old school buildings, reduce class size and provide qualified teachers - this takes political will from our communities and policy makers, not vouchers."

Throughout the day, residents and presenters discussed genuine reforms that actually improve public schools, such as reducing class size, training teachers and building new schools. The workshops also helped shed light on the troubled voucher programs in Cleveland and Milwaukee and the many right wing supporters behind vouchers.

Speakers cited recent investigations into voucher programs in Cleveland and Milwaukee that have revealed a lack of safeguards for taxpayers, parents, and students; dangerous and unhealthy conditions in some voucher schools; and violations of state voucher laws that are meant to protect students' and parents' rights.

In their latest investigation into the operations of Milwaukee's voucher program, PFAWF and the Milwaukee NAACP uncovered evidence that some private and religious voucher schools were violating the Wisconsin law by failing to select students at random, charging unlawful fees, and discouraging parents from opting their children out of religious activities. Most of the voucher schools named in a PFAW/NAACP complaint filed with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) have contended that DPI can not make them comply with the law.

Referring to the investigations Shields said, "Michigan would be wise to learn from the mistakes of its neighbors in Cleveland and Milwaukee and support simple proven education reforms, not this voucher gimmick that's leaving children, parents and taxpayers high and dry."

Supporters of the 'Every Child Counts' event also exposed the hypocrisy of some voucher proponents, who claim they support vouchers to help our poorest kids, yet historically have supported initiatives or candidates who have actually hurt inner-city schools and communities. Dick DeVos and the DeVos Family's support of right-leaning, anti-affirmative action organizations was laid bare for participants. DeVos is a major financial supporter behind the proposed Michigan ballot initiative that would allow the use of taxpayer money to fund vouchers for private and religious schools.

The day's events culminated in a large evening rally at the Fellowship Chapel United Church of Christ where the Detroit community expressed their support for strengthening public schools.

"School vouchers have been put before us as a distraction from real school reform," said Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of the Detroit NAACP. "Simply put, public education reform cannot be accomplished by taking monies out of the Detroit public schools and placing them into private schools."

Speakers at the workshops and rally also included:

• Kweisi Mfume, president of the NAACP;
• Ralph G. Neas, in-coming president of People For the American Way Foundation and former director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights;
• Deputy Mayor Freman Hendrix;
• Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church;
• Hilary Shelton, director of the Washington, D.C. NAACP;
• Reginald Weaver, vice president of the NEA;
• Ann Mitchell, national field director for American Federation of Teachers;
• Rev. Julius C. Hope, director NAACP National Department of Religious Affairs;
• Rev. Timothy McDonald, First Iconium Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia;
• Iris Salters, vice president of Michigan Education Association;
• Hon. Irma Clark, Michigan Representative; and
• John Elliot, president, Detroit Federation of Teachers