THEY'LL VOUCH FOR THAT

INNER-CITY BLACKS ARE BEGINNING TO JOIN THE REPUBLICAN CRY FOR VOUCHERS TO PAY PRIVATE-SCHOOL TUITION. FOR THE POOR, VOUCHERS ARE A LIFEBOAT. FOR THE G.O.P., THEY ARE A WEDGE ISSUE

Jim Lester is crazy about his granddaughter La-Kia, 10. "She's such a little lady," he crows. That's why he was so upset last year when she started attending Vare Middle School in South Philadelphia. It was bad enough that Vare is known for dismal test-score performance. What was worse was how the culture of the streets had seeped inside. La-Kia had been there only a few days when four girls tried to pick a fight with her. When he heard that, says Lester, "I nearly had 10 bypasses."

At his insistence, La-Kia was rushed to the more peaceable hallways of St....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!