School Choice

The legislature passed a one-year moratorium on charter school approval as part of its Fiscal Year 2005 budget. In June 2004, Governor Mitt Romney vetoed the legislation.27 In his veto message, Governor Romney wrote, “I am vetoing this section because charter schools provide meaningful educational choices and should not be limited…. It is fundamentally unfair to penalize hundreds of students already enrolled in the schools named in this section while these issues are being resolved.”28 The House of Representatives failed to override the veto on a 77-78 vote.29

Governor Mitt Romney, a Republican, has stated no position on vouchers but supports charter schools.32 Democrats control both houses of the legislature.

Charter schools

Governor Mitt Romney "Charter School" Quotes

• “Charter schools are important centers for innovation, achievement and accountability in education. It is especially important for parents with children in low-performing districts to have an alternative, and I will continue to fight any measure that would restrict this choice or the addition of new charters.”
  • Governor Mitt Romney, 05-03-2006 Press Release

• “Charter schools embrace innovative educational practices that encourage competition and hold teachers and administrators accountable for the academic achievement of their students. Choice within the Massachusetts public school system should be available to all parents, particularly those with children in our low-performing districts.”
  • Governor Mitt Romney, 05-05-2005 Press Release

Governor Mitt Romney "Charter School" Press Release

05-03-2006, ROMNEY GRANTS CHARTERS TO THREE NEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS

05-05-2005, ROMNEY CELEBRATES DECADE OF CHARTER SCHOOL SUCCESS

01-23-2004, ROMNEY, HEALEY PROPOSE LIFTING CHARTER SCHOOL CAP

Links

1. http://www.heritage.org/research/education/schoolchoice/Massachusetts.cfm

• Reform underperforming schools or replace with charters. (Sep 2002)
• Supported abolishing the federal Department of Education. (Mar 2002)
• Schools can teach family values, not religion or prayer. (Aug 1994)
• Supported means-tested vouchers for public & private schools. (Mar 2002)