Lawyers and politicians can argue all they want about the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program, but before they reach any conclusions, they should know what the program has meant to my second-grade daughter, Kia, and me.

Kia is just one of the 4,8OO scholarship recipients from low-income Cleveland families that can now choose the school that is best for their children.

During our first visit to Kia's new private school, I knew that I had made the right choice. Kia was so excited when she saw that there was toilet paper in the restrooms. I had to explain to the principal, Sister Jennifer, that I had to send toilet paper in her book bag since there never was any at the public school.

That was just the beginning of our excitement. The Holy Redeemer teachers and principals knew all of the children. At Kia's public school, the principal knew only the children who, were always causing trouble. The familiarity is real, too. I can call Sister Jennifer about anything dealing with Kia, and she knows what I'm talking about.

At her old school, Kia was lost in the crowd. No one knew who she was because she wasn't a troublemaker. The school was so crowded. People were always coming and going. No one knew anyone or where anyone was going or where people were supposed to be located.

There was no structure. You could walk in and take your child out and no one would notice.

When I drop Kia off at Holy Redeemer, I am confident she is safe. The office always knows where your child is and no one can take a child out of school without a parent's permission.

Kia is doing well academically, too. She's really improved. The school really tries to motivate the children. At a recent assembly, she received an award for completing all of her homework. She's reading at her grade level, unlike many children at her old public school.

When I was finally given a chance to pick the best school for my child, I knew I could not continue sending Kia to a school where she was a stranger, where there was no toilet paper and where the management allowed the "hot breakfast" to consist of cold peanut-butter-and-jelly sticks.

I'm hoping to get a scholarship this fall to send my son Maurice to kindergarten at Holy Redeemer. This program is the best opportunity for my children to get a good, safe education. Please don't take it away.

Goodgame lives in Cleveland.

(Editor's note: Last year a federal judge ruled that Ohio's school voucher program violates the U.S. Constitution. Today the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati is scheduled to hear an appeal of that ruling.)