Tooele Transcript Bulletin

Like to make your own choices?  Vote for vouchers

October 24, 2007

by Ann Herron
GUEST COLUMNIST

http://www.transcriptbulletin.com/Opinion/Like_to_make_your_own_choices__Vote_for_vouchers

We are a country that thrives on being able to choose. We want to choose the tile color in our new homes; a single, double or triple burger; or the school our kid attends.

I think the opposition to Referendum 1 is a big ploy. What are they scared of?

"It's bad for public schools," they say. Why? Supposedly, because it will bankrupt them. But I say if the financial part of this bill could make it past the Utah Legislature, then I figure I don't need a degree in accounting to realize the money part will work out.

Utah has a lot of kids. In fact, about one fourth of our population is school-aged children. And we all know we don't spend a lot of money per pupil. Generally, that's bad. So if a private school thinks they can do better, with even less money, then go for it. Isn't this a free-market economy?

If someone can do a job for less money and more efficiently, then we generally think it's a good idea. It's the basis of our economic system. Private schools and charter schools work on the idea of providing a sound general education with perks -- maybe religious, maybe a focus on science or language, generally smaller class sizes. If you want to choose that for your child, I am willing to pay some tax dollars so it can happen.

"Your child could be taught by a teacher without certification, or even a college degree," they warn. Guess what? A good estimate in Utah is that your child will spend an entire educational year being taught by substitute teachers before they graduate from high school. Most substitutes do not have a certification, and technically they do not even need a college degree.

"Average Utahns can't afford the difference in tuition," the ads intone. So what if tuition was $4,000 and you, according to the income guidelines, got $2,000 toward a private school you liked for your child. Is $2,000 a year too much to pay for your peace of mind? That comes down to $222 extra a month -- less than a car payment for many people.

We also need to realize this has, quietly, becomes a national battle. It is sort of pitting the teachers' associations (anti-voucher) against the pro-voucher people. Many other states are looking to Utah to see what will happen. Does the teacher's union have enough power to dictate your choices to you? I hope not. Besides, if the unhappy parents decided to take their children and leave the public schools, the teachers should be even happier.

I am obviously pro-voucher. I think you should be too, because you probably like to make your own choices. But your choice won't matter at all if you don't go vote in two weeks. That too, is your choice.

Ann Herron is a journalist and former associate professor at Utah State University who lives in Tooele. She can be reached at annherron@comcast.net.