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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It simply transfers all of the issues out of the public schools, placing them in the hands of the private community. Voucher proponents across the nation believe that through this program, which places the burden of improvement upon schools, progress can be made. 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. The voucher system is an escape out the back door. Safety in schools also became an issue; incoming teachers were warned of the “phys!

ical courage” necessary to teach. The tax dollars necessary to fund public school improvements and the voucher system simultaneously do not exist. ” Gannett News Service, 3 February 2000. Yet, the state granted approximately $200,000 to support the voucher system. Teachers felt that they must put on a show in order to keep the attention of their pupils.

Now, at the beginning of a new century, what problems have been fixed? Illiteracy is still high, American standards are still low, and graduates are still unprepared. According to Rothstein:

Schools are not up to the task of readying young people for the challenges of the next century.

Are these complaints not the same ones that appeared a century ago? Improvement is desperately needed, but where should it start? Cleveland, Milwaukee, and the state of Florida have suggested an answer: a school voucher system. Phonics (or the lack thereof) was once again to blame (Rothstein 2).

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

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