Kinder: Debate is over; parents want school choice

Moments ago, during an interview on KMOX, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder bragged on accomplishments the GOP made in education "reform" during the 2009 legislative session, and thanked Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, and other Democrats for their help.

""We got merit pay in there. The teachers' unions have fought that for years."

Kinder added, "The debate is over about whether parents want more choices. They want them."

Though Kinder has been heavily connected with those who want to pour public money into private schools, he only mentioned charter schools, noting that charter schools are public schools.

With the merit pay, which is only in the St. Louis area (for now) and will likely be tied to standardized test scores, the legislature is opening a Pandora's box.