McCain and Obama on school choice

"Mr. McCain would pursue education reforms that institute equality of choice in the K-12 system," Joseph Rago writes in today's Wall Street Journal.

He would allow parents whose kids are locked into failing public schools to opt out, whether in favor of another public school, a charter school or through voucher or scholarship programs for private options. Parents, he believes, ought to have more control over their education dollars. ...

Mr. Obama prefers that students stay within the current system, though he acknowledges its many problems. ... During a recent speech to the American Federation of Teachers, Mr. Obama disparaged "tired rhetoric about vouchers and school choice."