Vouchers in Schools

[lonejedi]

So a while back, I made a thread about vouchers, and it dwindled somehow into a religious debate -_-. So I thought about re-starting it with all the new members we have. I realize that there are certian areas of seperation of church in the actual debate and that's fine, but please, don't let this become a discussion on evolution in schools PLEASE.

Anyway here's the old thread, which has been locked. ( I just locked it)http://www.smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=107444

I'm gong to make the same post that I had made in the old one.

What is a Voucher

A Voucher is basically money given to a parent that is used in education options for their children. Vouchers give parents the option of instead paying monies that exceed over 10,000 dollars in tax money for public schools, an option to send their kids to a private school, a school that has a higher % of children passing, doing well in school, compared to most public schools.

Vouchers vs Public Schools

Costs
Public Schools : Cost per Student, as of 01-02 -$10,000

Private School: Cost Per Student- $3,116

Education

Public Schools Average SAT Scores as of 2003- Math 516 Verbal 504

Private Schools AVERAGE SAT Scores Math -550 Verbal 573


Private schools have been known to be more succesful than public schools, it's a comman fact. And giving the parent a choice on where they choose to send their children, will improve our education system. Competition in our education system is a good thing. This will make Public schools work harder to improve their terrible system as of now, and will also give students who don't have as much money, a chance to earn a decent education. At the same time, it will help tax payers who are paying 10,000 dollars per studenton a MEDICORE education, not have to pay as much.



http://www.capenet.org/Outlook/Out9-03.html#Story5
http://www.cato.org/pubs/briefs/bp-025.html
http://www.reformk12.com/archives/000174.nclk

 

[manhunter098]

I like it, a voucher system is the first step in reform to an entirely privatized education system.

 

[Overload]

I don't see anything bad about it really, but what if the voucher money was instead used to improve public schools? Wouldn't this lead to more kids getting higher education?

 

[manhunter098]

I dont think you are looking at the math and money of it. Private schools give a better education for less, even when the state is paying for someones free tuition there. Its one less kid to need to take care of in the public school system too.

 

[illinialex24]

I just hope the voucher system is not there for everyone being able to go to other public schools. Because that causes major issues.

One kid I know who came from California went to a supposedly good school there. However, it instituted a law that anyone whose went to the school, their uncle's and aunt's children could go their as well even if they didn't live in the district. This really screwed over the school bad and made it so it was a much worse area. Locker rooms would be habitually sprayed with feces and there were many fights after the new rule, as well as the fact that a school meant for a certain number of people was supporting twice as many as it could.

 

[lonejedi]

I just hope the voucher system is not there for everyone being able to go to other public schools. Because that causes major issues.

One kid I know who came from California went to a supposedly good school there. However, it instituted a law that anyone whose went to the school, their uncle's and aunt's children could go their as well even if they didn't live in the district. This really screwed over the school bad and made it so it was a much worse area. Locker rooms would be habitually sprayed with feces and there were many fights after the new rule, as well as the fact that a school meant for a certain number of people was supporting twice as many as it could.

With vouchers, that wouldn't be a problem. There would be a capoff for schools like that. Plus, if you made vouchers legal, more private schools would pop up. It would create a huge competative market. The best schools would get the best teachers, thus forcing the public and private schools to find creative ways to teach.

 

[Overload]

thus forcing the public and private schools to find creative ways to teach.

Alrighty kids! Every time you get an answer wrong you get shocked. We will gradually increase the voltage. Now you BETTER make this school look good with your test scores!

 

[Jam Stunna]

You'd be hard-pressed to find parents that live in districts with failing schools that are opposed to vouchers. The most ardent opponents of vouchers are teacher's unions, because as lonejedi said, it creates competition that threatens teacher's jobs (and thus, union membership and dues).

 

[SwordmasterXXXI]

Honestly, It doesn't seem like a bad idea. It adds a more unique way of teaching to schools.

 

[LordoftheMorning]

Yes. School is something that the Government should not control. Competition breeds excellence. That's what a free market is all about. It's what made our country so great.

In the status quo, schools have little incentive to improve, and teachers have little incentives to teach well. However, if school are COMPETING for customers (students), they will be forced to improve. My guess is that teachers will likely be pain more as a result. Being a talented teacher could actually become a job that gets worthy pay. Capitalism doncha know?

What boggles my mind is that now they want to publicize health care. Heaven help us. We have enough problems with an uncompetitive school system.

 

[Pluvia's other account]

I don't know if I missed this or something but, how is it cheaper to send someone to a private school rather than a public one? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

What boggles my mind is that now they want to publicize health care. Heaven help us. We have enough problems with an uncompetitive school system.

Our health service is fine, and it's public.