Monday, February 23, 2004
Limits and Lessons of Vouchers
Fred Hiatt, in today's Washington Post, correctly frames the issues surrounding private school vouchers in his article The Limits and Lessons of Vouchers. Yes, we would have preferred that in the district when a child transfers from a public school to a private school the funding travels with the student. (This supposedly happens today when a kid enrolled in a traditional public school moves to a charter, although I have yet to find anyone who can provide me with evidence that this occurs.) And yes, we would have loved for the program to include more students and a larger dollar amount per voucher so that competitive pressures on the public school system could be maximized. But the reality is that wherever a voucher program is introduced the teachers unions and politicians who count on their support begin to scream about the destruction of public education. In Washington, thanks to the support of some bold elected representatives, we did the best that we could. Perhaps when it comes to improve the legislation, Mr. Hiatt will lend his backing to strengthening the program since he was silent during the debate on its passage.
But it is simply wrong to say that the Milwaukee program did not result in important changes due to competition. The public schools now guarantee parents that their child will read at grade-level by the third grade and free tutoring in math and reading is provided for any child who needs it as long as they agree to stay in the system. The administration in Milwaukee has admitted that these changes are a direct result of students leaving the public school system for private institutions.
PermaLink | 6:01 AM |
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But it is simply wrong to say that the Milwaukee program did not result in important changes due to competition. The public schools now guarantee parents that their child will read at grade-level by the third grade and free tutoring in math and reading is provided for any child who needs it as long as they agree to stay in the system. The administration in Milwaukee has admitted that these changes are a direct result of students leaving the public school system for private institutions.
PermaLink | 6:01 AM |
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