By Ben Velderman
EAGnews.org

WASHINGTON – Education reformers should have plenty of reasons to like Paul Ryan’s selection as Mitt Romney’s running mate.

According to Washington Times writer Deborah Simmons, Ryan “supports the three-tiered approach to public education, meaning traditional public schools, public charter schools and public vouchers.”

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Ryan also “wants the federal government to cut the red tape when it comes to schooling, favoring instead greater state, local and civic control,” Simmons writes in a recent column.

She gives Ryan “an A+ for school choice,” noting the seven-term congressman has been a staunch supporter of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Ryan’s views on education seem to mirror the views of many Americans: Forty-one states now allow charter schools, and Americans are warming up to the idea of school vouchers.

Simmons explains that a Romney-Ryan victory would signal a great win for school choice advocates.

“A Romney administration, with Mr. Ryan in seat No. 2, could mean rescuing still more low-income kids caught in the crossfire of school-reform efforts – a welcoming prospect when you consider the fact that Mr. Romney wants to expand the already popular voucher progam,” Simmons writes.

The nation’s top two teacher union bosses understand this, which is why they wasted little time in attacking Ryan. President Obama has implemented some reforms the unions don’t like, but he has also ensured a steady flow of dues revenue to union coffers through repeated education funding bailouts.

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The economy remains the key issue of the coming presidential election, but it could also have huge ramifications for how we deliver public education to families.