Seagate Convention Centre
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
On March 26, 1999, the Federalist Society co-sponsored the Stranahan National Issues Forum with the University of Toledo College of Law. The title of the conference was "Education Reform at the Crossroads: Politics, the Constitution, and the Battle over School Choice."
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9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Panel One: The History and Politics of School Choice [Archive Collection]
1999 Stranahan National Issues Forum
Seagate Convention Centre
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
Event Video
Description
On March 26, 1999, the Federalist Society co-sponsored the Stranahan National Issues Forum with the University of Toledo College of Law. The title of the conference was "Education Reform at the Crossroads: Politics, the Constitution, and the Battle over School Choice." The first panel discussed "The History and Politics of School Choice."
School choice is a "hot" political topic, one that cuts across current party lines and ideological boundaries. School choice efforts have succeeded in some States, yet failed in others. What are the "politics of school choice?" How can and do voucher proponents and opponents frame their case to appeal to the public? What arguments "work?" Is there room for consensus and compromise? Speakers at this panel will be experienced observers of the political scene and students of public opinion who will place the rhetorical and political struggles over school choice in perspective.
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speakers.
Featuring:
- Mr. Andrew Coulson, Senior Research Associate, Social Philosophy Policy Center
- Mr. Dal Lawrence, Former President, Toledo Federation of Teachers
- Mr. Richard Leonardi, President, Buckeye Institute
- Councilwoman Fannie Lewis, Cleveland City Council
- Moderator Mr. Douglas Haynes, Vice President of Education Policy, John Locke Foundation
Speakers
11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Panel Two: School Choice in the Courts [Archive Collection]
1999 Stranahan National Issues Forum
Seagate Convention Centre
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
Event Video
Description
On March 26, 1999, the Federalist Society co-sponsored the Stranahan National Issues Forum with the University of Toledo College of Law. The title of the conference was "Education Reform at the Crossroads: Politics, the Constitution, and the Battle over School Choice." The second panel covered "School Choice in the Courts."
The United States Supreme Court recently declined to review the Wisconsin Supreme Court's holding that Milwaukee's school-voucher program does not violate the First Amendment's Religion Clause, and the Arizona Supreme Court upheld tax credits. Other recent federal-court decisions have embraced many of the constitutional arguments advanced by school choice proponents. In the months to come, other courts in Ohio, Maine, and Vermont, are likely to address this same issue. However, given the twists and turns of the Supreme Courts's Religion Clause jurisprudence, only the Supreme Court will be able to resolve the constitutional questions surrounding vouchers. At this panel, leading constitutional scholars and litigators will discuss various aspects of the problem of school choice programs' constitutionality.
Featuring:
- Leonard Leo, The Federalist Society
- Richard W. Garnett, Attorney, Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin
- Jeffrey Sutton, Of Counsel, Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
- Steven R. Shapiro, National Legal DIrector, American Civil Liberties Union
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speakers.
Speakers
12:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Luncheon: Address by Linda Chavez, Center for Equal Opportunity [Archive Collection]
1999 Stranahan National Issues Forum
Seagate Convention Centre
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
Event Video
Description
On March 26, 1999, the Federalist Society co-sponsored the Stranahan National Issues Forum with the University of Toledo College of Law. The title of the conference was "Education Reform at the Crossroads: Politics, the Constitution, and the Battle over School Choice," and featured a keynote address by Linda Chavez.
Featuring:
- Introductory Remarks: Ted Cruz, Attorney, Cooper, Carvin & Rosenthal
- Award: Corey Swanson, Cofounder, Stranahan National Issues Forum
- Introduction: Dean Albert Quick, The University of Toledo College of Law
- Linda Chavez, President, Center for Equal Opportunity
Speakers
2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Panel Three: School Choice: The Next Civil Rights Crusade? [Archive Collection]
1999 Stranahan National Issues Forum
Seagate Convention Centre
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
Event Video
Description
On March 26, 1999, the Federalist Society co-sponsored the Stranahan National Issues Forum with the University of Toledo College of Law. The title of the conference was "Education Reform at the Crossroads: Politics, the Constitution, and the Battle over School Choice." The penultimate panel covered "School Choice: The Next Civil Rights Crusade?"
School choice is more than an education-reform porposal. To many supporters of vouchers and charter schools, these policy innovations are crucial elements in the effort to vindicate the civil and political ights of low-income parents and members of racial minorities. At the same time, many school choice critics suggest that vouchers will constitute a set-back for public-school integration. Speakers at this panel— civil-rights leaders, school-choice activists, and academics— will discuss these problems, and also explore the connection between school choice and parents' First Amendment freedoms, as well as the historical and consitutional tradition of viewing a well-educated citizenry as the key to democratic and republican government and education as the key to meaningful exercise of civil rights.
Featuring:
- Introduction Ted Cruz, Attorney, Cooper, Carvin & Rosenthal
- Prof. Joseph Vitteritti, New York University
- Jennifer Grossman, Director of Education, Cato
- Michael Meyers, President, New York Civil Rights Coalition
- Clint Bolick, Cofounder, Institute for Justice
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speakers.
Speakers
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Panel Four: School Choice in Action [Archive Collection]
1999 Stranahan National Issues Forum
Seagate Convention Centre
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
401 Jefferson Avenue
Toldeo, OH 43604
Event Video
Description
On March 26, 1999, the Federalist Society co-sponsored the Stranahan National Issues Forum with the University of Toledo College of Law. The title of the conference was "Education Reform at the Crossroads: Politics, the Constitution, and the Battle over School Choice." The final panel explored "School Choice in Action."
In recent years, school choice has to moved beyond an abstract topic for free-market theorists and constitutional scholars. Today, school-choice programs — public and private — and similar education-reform policies aimed at increasing choice and competition are up and running the country. Speakers at this panel — leading students, critics, and evaluators of school-coice programs — will discuss candidly the available data and empirical evidence relating to the choice programs, and will also survey and evaluate the different and local programs.
Featuring:
- Roberta Holt, Director, Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program
- Ann Payne, Founder, Aurora Academy
- Prof. John Witte, University of Wisconsin
- Brother Bob Smith, President, Messemer High School
- Dr. Myron Lieberman, Education Policy Institute
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speakers.
