Education spending has increased at a breakneck pace in Georgia over the past decade, outpacing inflation substantially. Since 1994 per-student spending has more than doubled, representing an increase in spending each year of nearly 10 percent. In 2007 per-student spending exceeded $10,000 for the first time in Georgia's history.

But despite the high level of spending, Georgia was ranked 48th among the states in high school graduation rates in 2007. That is exactly where the state ranked in 2000. In some of the intervening years, Georgia dropped to 50th, managing to beat out only the District of Columbia and avoid the dishonorable title of "worst in the nation." State SAT scores have remained stagnant for years in Georgia, with rankings hovering painfully close to 50th. While that trend seems to have changed in 2007, a positive thing no doubt, time will tell whether the improvement is based in real academic achievement or a redesigned exam.

These facts point to a sobering reality that demands our attention: Every four years a generation of students in failing schools graduates unprepared for higher education or the work force, if they graduate at all. To these students, the lack of a quality education can and likely will have devastating results. And requiring students to be subjects in a protracted experiment in education reform seems inhumane at the very least.

Fortunately, Gov. Sonny Perdue and the General Assembly have recognized the plight of these students and have championed legislation to give them hope through education choice.

House Bill 1133, specifically, would provide tax credits to businesses and individuals who contribute to scholarships for public school students wanting to attend private school. Contrary to the rhetoric of opponents of this legislation, a recent study by the Friedman Foundation shows that these scholarships could actually save local school systems $94 million and the state $6 million, thus increasing the amount of resources available to those students remaining in public school. This is the opposite of "gutting."

Additionally, it's important to note that these scholarships are available only to students currently in public schools — so the claim that they will benefit only students already in private school is simply wrong. These scholarships are intended to benefit the 95 percent of students who do not now attend a private school. Again, the reality is the opposite of what is presented by those opposing choice.

While politically charged and ready fodder for those attempting to make political hay, the issue of education choice has life-changing implications for students in failing schools.

Fixing public education is a good, noble and worthy cause. We must, as a state, redouble our efforts to make our public schools the envy of the nation.

But in our efforts to reform our public schools, we cannot afford to ignore the plight of those students who are, at this moment, watching their very futures slip away. We must act now and act decisively to ensure that students in failing schools do not become failures themselves because of a system that gives them no way out.

Gov. Perdue and the General Assembly are making modest but important steps to help these students, and we must applaud and support their efforts.

• Eric Cochling is vice president of public policy for the Georgia Family Council.