St. George Spectrum

Voucher system can help the education of Utah children

November 3, 2007

http://www.thespectrum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071103/OPINION/711030341

Let's look at the pros and cons of vouchers. On the anti-voucher side we have those who say that vouchers will take much needed money from public schools. They are typically teachers, education unions and administrators. Then there are those who say giving money to religious schools violates separation of church and state. Vouchers would only benefit upper class students, they believe.

Voucher proponents say that public schools would improve if there was competition. By allowing students to take a portion of the money the district receives to a different school, the remaining students would benefit by having smaller class sizes and more per-pupil spending. Minority children would have the ability to get out of poor-performing schools, they say. Voucher supporters include parents, who feel they have lost control in how their children are being educated.

Competition for the educational dollar will force under-performing schools to improve. There will not be much change for schools that are doing a good job. Just as colleges compete for high-achieving students by providing excellent education, lower division schools should do the same.
Parents should have a choice in how and where their children are educated. Having some students go into private school will relieve the burden of over-crowding on public schools. Most students will stay where they are. There will not be a mass exodus from the public school system.

Utahns have an opportunity to step into the 21st century by charting a new path down the road of education. According to the Utah Voter Information Pamphlet, voucher schools must administer annual academic achievement tests and hire teachers with at least a college degree or with special expertise. This could mean someone who can meet the needs of students with disabilities. They have to comply with federal, state and local laws.

Funding for vouchers will come out of the already bulging pocket book of the general fund. School districts are estimated to save - yes, that's right, save - $2.2 million to $11.5 million during the program's first year, and up to $28 million during the 13th year. This is in black and white in your Voter Information Pamphlet.

There are only a couple of options available outside of public education in Washington County. But if we had a conscientious scholarship program, it would feasible for educational providers to establish options for those students who are not benefiting from public school. There is a need for improvement. There is room for alternatives.

These educational scholarships will especially help under achieving and under privileged students to get a second chance. Parents whose incomes are less than $30,000, and who have two children, will receive $3,000 to help with educational costs. Vouchers will help kids who can't cut it in the oversized, under-staffed public school.

If we listen to the rhetoric and don't take a serious look at how educational vouchers can help our children, we are doing them a great disservice. Do the math. It would be crazy not to vote yes on Referendum 1.

Rhonda Tommer is a resident of Santa Clara. She is a member of The Spectrum & Daily News Writers Group.