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(AP) -- COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Black leaders across South Carolina are speaking out against a renewed effort to help parents send their children to private school.

They voiced their opposition Thursday, two days after prominent black Sen. Robert Ford joined the Republican effort and unveiled the latest plan. The Charleston Democrat said too many minority children attend schools shown as failing.

But black leaders said in a teleconference that tax credits and vouchers won't solve anything and will further drain public schools.

The idea has died repeatedly in the Legislature since 2004.

Those on the call included former Chief Justice Ernest Finney of Columbia; Charleston NAACP leader, the Rev. Joe Darby; Sen. John Scott of Columbia; Rep. Anton Gunn of Columbia; and Rep. Terry Alexander of Florence.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APNP 03-26-09 1628EDT

(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)