Our children deserve the best from our public school system. I have had reservations about school vouchers in the past. It is important to protect both public schools from losing money and private schools from federal interference. How a school choice system would work and concerns about government intrusion are two issues we need to consider. Also, in some cases "vouchers" have run into constitutional problems.

I am committed to bring excellence to all public schools across Tennessee. Education must be improved so all of the options deserve our consideration. I have supported legislation that created a pilot scholarship program. This pilot program was specifically targeted to give low-income parents a choice in their children's education. We should watch this pilot to see the effects of this narrowly targeted program, both positive and negative.

President Bush has sent Congress an ambitious education plan. I look forward to working with the President and other Members of Congress on the specifics of his school choice proposal so we may serve the needs of Tennessee's youth. Education is a top priority for me, and I'm pleased it's a priority for the President too.