School Vouchers: The Wrong Choice

Susie is a young girl who lives in Florida. Since kindergarten, she has attended a nearby private school. Her parents willingly pay her tuition, even though doing so forces them to cut other corners. They do not mind these sacrifices, since they know that their daughter is getting the best education they can give her.

Jesse lives downtown, in the inner city. She attends the local public school and struggles through her classes. Her mother would like to send her to a private school, where there is less violence and a calmer atmosphere, but cannot afford it.

Then, Jesse's mother learns that a voucher system has put into place for the entire state of Florida. Jesse's inner city, spray-painted elementary school received a failing status, so she can receive a voucher to attend the school of her choice. With the money she receives from the voucher, Jesse's mother is able to send her daughter to the same private school that Susie attends.

Is it fair that Susie's parents pinch pennies while Jesse's mother send her on the bus for free? While meaning well, does the voucher system inadvertently discriminate against children like Susie whose parents must work extra hours to put their children throu

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While seeming to neutralize problems in American education, it simply creates more by denying failing schools the chance to improve. “Judge Throws Out Florida Voucher Law. The Way We Were?: The Myths and Realities of America’s Student Achievement.

There are definite problems with the American education system; problems the nation has battled for more than a century. What then? It is very likely that private schools would spring up overnight in response to the sudden number of children seeking to use government money at private schools. Safety in schools also became an issue; incoming teachers were warned of the "phys!

ical courage" necessary to teach. While 52 children may be having a better school year, what about the hundreds of others across the state suffering from a poor education? Certainly, those 52 students are not the only ones in the state of Florida who were receiving a less than adequate education. A main controversy was bilingual education for newly naturalized immigrants. The tax dollars necessary to fund public school improvements and the voucher system simultaneously do not exist. Teachers felt that they must put on a show in order to keep the attention of their pupils. Who can guarantee that these schools will be of a better quality than the public schools which came before them (Roberts, Glenn 22)?

If the voucher system were implemented, public school, as they are currently known, would cease to exist.

Approximate Word count = 1473
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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