I don't think that any educational issue since integration has stirred up as much controversy as the school choice and voucher issue. Most of the debate seems centered on emotional reactions and speculation about possible outcomes. You and I deserve hard facts from which we can draw our own conclusions.
Here's some of the evidence which credentialed researchers have assembled in their attempts to determine the effect these programs have had on their participants.
The Brookings Institution: A New Era in Urban Education?
"The rescue of urban schools entails dismantling entrenched and patronage-driven school board bureaucracies, holding schools accountable for their performance, and encouraging well-planned experimentation with charter and contract schools, and vouchers."
Professor Diane Ravitch's professional research supports her arguments. Very readable. Brookings offers several other books and papers on the topic.
School Choices.org
"The merits of parental choice and competition between schools are usually debated on theoretical grounds, making it difficult to reach firm conclusions. But unbeknownst to most pundits and education reformers, there is a great wealth of hard evidence available on these subjects, if you know where to look. In particular, the history of schooling reveals a great deal about which approaches to school governance work, and which do not." A complete collection of links follows this cogent introduction.
Conclusion
Our children deserve the best educational opportunities available. They deserve small schools and the latest amenities, as well as a safe, nurturing environment.
Our creative, talented teachers can then do what they were trained to do: teach.
Our parents deserve options when it comes to educating their children. Why should they have to keep them in a failing public school?
Voucher programs have been judged constitutional in several states. Over 130,000 students in 12 states are enjoying the educational benefits of school choice according to the Alliance for School Choice. That's .003% of the K-12 student population. Are we really talking about significant financial resources being diverted from public schools as the opponents of school choice programs insist? I don't think so.
Competition is healthy in most areas of the economy except where it concerns public education. Put another way, the education establishment abhors change and competition. It remains to be seen how long it can resist both.
Join the Discussion
How do you feel about this issue? Please agree or disagree with me, but most importantly share your thoughts and suggestions on how you and I can improve our nation's schools. THE place for debate and discussion is the Forum!
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