Washington, DC. - The school choice movement received a critical victory Thursday, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, five to four, that vouchers are a Constitutional means by which students can be educated in Cleveland.
For BAEO, a Washington-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to support parental choice and increase educational options for black children, the ruling can have far-reaching effects, clearing the way for individual states to implement new school choice programs.

"By empowering parents and their children, the Supreme Court has helped level the playing field," says Dr. Howard Fuller, Chairman of the Board for BAEO. "The Black Alliance for Educational Options is particularly pleased the majority opinion buttresses many arguments we presented in our amicus curiae filing."

Fuller also warned that any celebration by BAEO and its supporters would be brief. "BAEO is under no illusions that the struggle is over," he added. "Those who oppose school choice programs are tenacious."

The voucher debate has also been tenacious at times, with opponents arguing the program violates the U.S. Constitution's "Establishment Clause," which separates church and state.

"We simply want to provide a variety of educational options for low-income Black families," says BAEO President Lawrence C. Patrick III. "In short, we want to provide freedom of choice."

In Cleveland, where Thursday's ruling really hit home, the Supreme Court's ruling will enable new schools to open and participate in the voucher program.

"This victory is bigger than Cleveland," said BAEO Board Member Taunya Young, who represents Cleveland. This is a victory, and a gigantic step, toward giving parents and children a choice--and a chance."

BAEO, which announced its formation Aug. 24, 2000, has chapters under development in 33 cities in 25 states.