Government Involvement and Use of Public Funds
One of the biggest issues with school vouchers is that it is a government program that is supporting private schools. Many people think that the voucher program will increase government control over non-governmental education. The government funds this program through taxes, so taxpayers are paying for a small number of children (not even their own) to go to a private school. Taxpayers have some say in how their tax money is used in public schools since they get to elect school board members, vote on budgetary issues, and attend board meetings. But private schools do not give these same rights.
There are three big differences between private and public school systems that cause problems, as they are not held accountable in the same way nor have the same requirements. First, the state implements curriculum and requires the state testing of students in public schools. Private schools are not all required to do this. Voucher schools now have to participate in state testing, but they still do not have to follow state curriculum. Second, Wisconsin implements a school report card system to determine if they are a succeeding or a failing school. Private schools, including voucher schools, are not rated on the report card system . Third, there are no teacher requirements from the state in private schools. This means that teachers at voucher schools do not even necessarily have to be licensed by the state. (see the graph below).
There are three big differences between private and public school systems that cause problems, as they are not held accountable in the same way nor have the same requirements. First, the state implements curriculum and requires the state testing of students in public schools. Private schools are not all required to do this. Voucher schools now have to participate in state testing, but they still do not have to follow state curriculum. Second, Wisconsin implements a school report card system to determine if they are a succeeding or a failing school. Private schools, including voucher schools, are not rated on the report card system . Third, there are no teacher requirements from the state in private schools. This means that teachers at voucher schools do not even necessarily have to be licensed by the state. (see the graph below).
Even though the voucher money is coming from public taxes, taxpayers have no say in how private schools spend the money nor do private schools have to follow the same guidelines as public schools. Thus, there is a lack of accountability to the taxpayer.
Another major problem some of the public has with voucher systems is that most of the participating private schools have a religious affiliation (see graph below). In the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, 86% of participating schools identified themselves as religious. As a result, the government and all the taxpayers are effectively supporting religious institutions. Many people stand by the principle that there should be a separation of religion and state, but in many instances the voucher programs go against this.
Another major problem some of the public has with voucher systems is that most of the participating private schools have a religious affiliation (see graph below). In the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, 86% of participating schools identified themselves as religious. As a result, the government and all the taxpayers are effectively supporting religious institutions. Many people stand by the principle that there should be a separation of religion and state, but in many instances the voucher programs go against this.
Sources:
- Ladd, Helen. "School Vouchers: A Critical View." The Journal of Economic Perspectives 16.4 (2002): 3-24. Web. 7 May 2013.
- McShane, Michael Q., Brian Kisida, Laura Jensen, and Patrick Wolf. Milwaukee Parental Choice Program: Descriptive Report on Participating Schools 2010–11. Rep. University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform School Choice Demonstration Project, Feb. 2012. Web. 4 May 2013.