Gold Dome Live

By Clay

February 2, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this

Most metro schools are at or past capacity. Let alone the good schools where families have already moved into the area to attend. This plan will not work.

By dl

February 2, 2009 12:57 PM | Link to this

Vouchers are a really bad idea. Instead of making room for a handful of students to go to a private school, why not use those funds to improve the entire school? Besides, the travel time for most of the kids who qualify for vouchers makes for a really long day for a kid, not to mention the parent’s having to figure out special transportation.

By frank

February 2, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this

Finally. It is time to end the monopoly that is not educating our children.

By MTH

February 2, 2009 1:01 PM | Link to this

Thats fine but give it to everyone and not just the people who can’t afford private school. That is why they are called private schools. I can barely afford my daughters tuition but we go without some things so she can go and get a better education than in the public school system in Georgia.

By love it

February 2, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this

great idea!!!

By M

February 2, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this

Because only the unionized teachers and administrators would get the money. Less than half of it would go to the school!!!!

By HB

February 2, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this

This would be great. My son is slated to go to a school that is failing and we would welcome a voucher to put him a in better public school or private school.

By JDW

February 2, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this

Where do I sign up! In spite of the taxes I pay each year my home school is a joke. With a child that will enter kindergarten next year I have two choices move or pay for private school. It would be great to use a voucher to in effect apply my taxes to my child’s education.

By haveChoice

February 2, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this

This bill is long overdue. If I want to send my child to a private school, a bill such as this gives me the opportunity. I would like more choices. If I were an administrator of a public school, this type of choice would motivate me to make my school better (or else).

By Bring Me the Head of Deforest Kelley

February 2, 2009 1:10 PM | Link to this

One thing Republicans can be counted on with 100% certainty: if we’re in a hole, you can bet they’ll dig it even deeper.

The budget is in its worst shape in decades. The state is talking about furloughing even more workers on top of what has already been a disastrous year in the state for layoffs.

And the Republicans’ response to all this: a $5000 rebate for families who can afford to send their kids to private school.

Nice job fellas. How about a rebate for country club dues while you’re at it.

The Repbulicans’ new slogan should be “A 10% Unemployment Rate: YES WE CAN!”

By JT

February 2, 2009 1:12 PM | Link to this

From what I read a student does not have to “qualify” for the voucher. Vouchers will allow parents that wish to move their children into the private school system the power to do so. It will encourage the public school system to improve so that parents will not be inclined to use the vouchers. I am all for it. Competition is good for all of us.

By tjack

February 2, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this

There are always strings attached to government money. What restrictions would private schools be placed under should they accept the state money?

By Matt

February 2, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this

Should we seriously believe that the state is covered with good private schools that cost $5,000 a year and have plenty of open spots?

By Bring Me the Head of Deforest Kelley

February 2, 2009 1:16 PM | Link to this

One thing Republicans can be counted on with 100% certainty: if we’re in a hole, you can bet they’ll dig it even deeper.

The budget is in its worst shape in decades. The state is talking about furloughing even more workers on top of what has already been a disastrous year in the state for layoffs.

And the Republicans’ response to all this: a $5000 rebate for families who can afford to send their kids to private school.

Nice job fellas. How about a rebate for country club dues while you’re at it.

The Repbulicans’ new slogan should be “A 10% Unemployment Rate: YES WE CAN!”

By bobbylee

February 2, 2009 1:24 PM | Link to this

Private schools only, no school taxes… sounds aristicratic, let the poor do those jobs the illegals want. Now that’s a picture of Georgia.

By Bad Public Schools

February 2, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this

I would be glad with just getting my school tax back to pay for a private school.

By Unbeliever

February 2, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this

Won’t work… Laws of Economics will only push the price of tuition up to make up for the voucher… i.e., the increased demands will only puch up the price….

By BringItOn

February 2, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this

I want to see the stipulations & restrictions on this voucher but I think we have to move to some kind of competition for public school if we ever want to see improvement.

Honestly I would just be happy with a voucher equal to the amount of money I pay for public schools on my property taxes. I think it would be unfair to give someone a $5,000 voucher if they don’t even pay that much in school taxes, especially if they have multiple children. I’m willing to pay the difference between the amount I pay in school taxes and private-school tuition but it frustrates me that I pay so much in school taxes and don’t get any benefit from it. I’m paying for [lousy] schools, teachers, administrators, extra-curricular activities and transportation for public school and get no benefit from it.

To help private schools maintain their level excellence, forcing parents to pay the difference ensures that the family has some obligation to the school and for their student’s education. I think we’d be amazed at how much more parents are involved in their child’s education when they have to come out of pocket for it. And there are plenty of private schools in Georgia with tuition less than $5,000/year (not a lot inside 285 but there plenty OTP) so I don’t htink it would exclude ‘only the richest’ from utilizing this voucher option.

What parents who are used to public school will have to get used to is that not everything is included at a private school; no free lunches, transportation and some require extra money for extra-curricular activities, sports, field trips and certain classes. Probably why private schools can educate a child for a whole lot less than public schools; they can cut out the fluff and just focus on the education. I’m sorry if you think playing basketball (feel free to replace with anything that is not, reading, writing, math, science or history) is required for your child’s education but I don’t think it is and I don’t think I should have to pay for it.

By JoKay

February 2, 2009 1:33 PM | Link to this

M- Do your research before you open your mouth and show the world your ignorance. There are no teachers’ unions in GA. They are illegal.

Vouchers are another band-aide over e gushing bullet hole of GA education. They won’t fix the problem, they’ll just divert funds from places that could actually use it.

Bottom line: the kids that need the most help won’t get it from vouchers because A) the parents of those kids are too poor to drive them out of their poor district, B) they have learned through a culture of poverty that education is not essential to success, so there is no point in trying to succeed in school, C) they do not have the support they need at home to make an environment which supports academic growth.

Vouchers will benefit richer families and will end up subsidizing private schools.

Your tax dollars at work, Georgia!

By Chip loves it

February 2, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this

Private Tuition $10,000+

No one from an impoverished or low middle class will benefit.

However those already with the $$$ to send kids to private schools will. AKA CHIP ROGERS.

This bill is a $5000 tax free pay raise for him for each child he has. I think it is 2. Chip gets $10,000. I bet HE likes that idea. But the $5,000 I would get would sill not allow private schools.

By Kudzu

February 2, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this

I will make concessions in my lifestyle, (save money, get a 2nd job), in order to send my children to private school if that is what my desire is. I don’t need the governments help in this, vouchers, laws, etc. All politicians, please LESS GOVERNMENT IS BETTER GOVERNMENT.

By The Anti-Wooten

February 2, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this

A few thoughts on this, first of all the vouchers should never, ever, under any circumstances be delivered to any school with a religious affiliation. For those of you that object to you tax dollars paying for substandard schools keep in mind that with private schools you now have no or little input for curriculum, methodology and mission. I object so strongly to religious schools being paid by the state when they have no oversight that I might be the first to sue over this proposed law.

The state giving the vouchers would have no regulatory method to ensure that teachers were educated, certified or competent much less that they’re not sex offenders or worse.

Let us not forget, this is brought to you by the Repiglicans that preached and practiced deregulation and free marketeering to all of our great detriment.

If you think schools are bad now bear in mind that if you allow private companies to be the education system for our nation, you’re handing the car keys to a drunk.

By Marklar

February 2, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this

School Vouchers are a tool of christian fudamentalists to get the open minds of this country’s future to believe in mythical dogma so they will “OBEY”

By Beretta

February 2, 2009 2:06 PM | Link to this

Vouchers are a great start, but not the solution. If you want true competition and the resulting improvements that go with it, then let the money follow the child.

We have public schools spending 12k per student and failing miserably, while many private schools spend half that and supply a quality education. Cut the beaurocracy and unnecessary administrative jobs, give teachers control of the classroom and let them teach.

When schools compete for the money and are held accountable by the consumers, then you’ll see improvement.

By d

February 2, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this

When Sen. Johnson placed his editorial in the paper a few days ago, I wrote him to ask him to reconsider his point. I received no response. In a nut shell, I pointed out two things that the public needs to understand. Public schools are not a business that benefit from competition. They are dependant solely on public funds and when the government takes away funding, as has been done year after year under Gov. Perdue’s watch, is it any surprise they are hurting and now Sen. Johnson wants to take more for a program that will do little but raise the cost of a private education that makes the vouchers moot anyway? Obviously, Sen. Johnson missed the day where basic supply and demand was taught in economics. Yes schools need help, but taking away money doesn’t help. Let’s fix public education and realize that, as the Constitution of the State of Georgia that the provision of an adequate public education shall be the top priority of this state. The constitution was adopted by the people of this state. Let’s listen to the will of the people and really fix our public schools.

By Dempsey Werthman

February 2, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this

To all those that think vouchers are a good idea: Try to remember that good public schools benefit everyone, even those that choose private school. Diverting funds away from public schools will only add to our increasing drop out rate which coincidentally corresponds to our increased prison rate in GA. More kids in supported schools equals less crime. Let’s take care of all the kids that can’t or don’t want to attend private school. It’s the morally right thing to do.

By Private school myth

February 2, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this

First, there are few private schools in Georgia that are as good as the average public school. There may be 5 in metro Atlanta that would be on par with the best public schools. This is a fact.

Secondly, private schools exist, in part, due to parent’s fears of diversity. Do you honestly think the snooty private schools would open their doors to the downtrodden or those with special needs??

Finally, this bill is only a rebate idea for parents who currently send their kids to private schools.

PS. I am an administrator at a local public school. I am weary of enrolling kids from private schools who struggle once they have to face our expectations. Inevitably, their parents tell me, “Well, I know my child can’t be behind because we’ve had him in private school.”

ARGGGHHHH!!!!

By ANN KINLOCH

February 2, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this

I love the Idea. I am tried of Paying School Taxes for nothing. I lived in Clayton County School District and I am tried of the School Board & Georgia School Systems period. I would love to put my child in Private School. Because, I know my child would get a Better Education because I am paying for it.

By Chris Johnson

February 2, 2009 2:30 PM | Link to this

YES.

Use the funds to better government schools? What a joke. Currently the State of Georgia spend between $8000-9000 per student on government schooling. Throwing more money at the schools is not the solution.

People need to realize that a school voucher program would be most beneficial to the lower income and disadvantaged segment of the population. Those groups of people have no other option than to send their children to government schools. Government schools are in a continual decline because parents that can afford an educational alternative are doing so, leaving the schools generally with a greater portion of underperforming students. It has been proven in study after study that economic environment plays a role in an individuals success. The same goes for a student’s educational environment.

That is the bottom line.

The teachers union/lobby needs to stop playing scare tactics with the economically disadvantaged.

Vote YES for school options (vouchers).

By Plezie

February 2, 2009 2:37 PM | Link to this

Can we just fix the school system. Our teacher are now made to push paper and teach less. We need to really take time to reevaluate our needs in this state. We are giving furloughs to POLICE, FIRE and cut the wages of teachers. These are the things we need.
PYS

By BringItOn

February 2, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this

d, are you saying that the public schools in georgia were good BEFORE the budget cuts under “Perue’s watch” (aka the state representatives that we each elected because nothing gets approved or denied by the governor until it’s been through the state legislature)? Last I checked, Georgia has been ranked near the bottom for years, regardless of funding.

By Tony Geasley

February 2, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

Got bad news for you it is not really the school building or the teachers in 99% of “falling schools” It is students and parents that are not doing their job. Seldom does a falling student leave one school and sudddenly make passing grades forget “a’s”at a new school. Someone needs to have the guts to stand up and say it is not really the teacher that is the problem it is the student and or their parent. Until we are honest about the problem we will just find someone ealse to blame

By Vince

February 2, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this

Chris… It is easy to think vouchers would benefit the underprivileged. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The decent private schools in the state charge much more than $5000 a year. Giving most parents $5000 a year would be a drop in the bucket and would not allow them to enroll their children in a good private school.

The decent private schools are not going to open their doors to underprivileged youth. A big part of their existence is due to parents wanting to keep their kids with kids like their own. Do you really think the “exclusive” private schools are chomping at the bit to get a huge influx of underprivileged kids???

There are hundreds of very substandard private schools in the state that would welcome the students and their vouchers. However, since many people believe in the absurd myth that “any private school is better than any public school” these students would end up getting a horrific education, courtesy of the state.

Vouchers are just rebates for the upper middle class and upper class parents who want to send their children to private schools. As I said earlier, I grow weary of former private school parents telling me, “My child made Honor Roll at their private school so I know the problem can’t be with them.”

Oh boy…..

By d

February 2, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this

Bringiton — if you are looking at SAT scores, don’t. The “A” stands for aptitude — meaning ability to learn, not what is known. If you look at ACT scores, which is a better measure of what is taught, Georgia fares much better. Frankly, we test too many students and of course when we test nearly everyone, scores will be lower than say in North Dakota (who frequently ranks near the top in SAT scores) where only the best and brightest are tested. Do we really need to waste the future electrician or auto mechanic’s time on SAT? Several that I know make more than I do and I have a master’s degree. We have incomplete information that makes Georgia look worse than it really is. Also, one other issue I forgot to bring up in my original post, private schools do not have to accept all students. They may reject anyone for almost any reason. Public schools do not have that (for lack of a better word) luxery. The public schools are the Hufflepuff (to use a metaphore) of the educational system. They take them all and teach them just the same.

By MrLiberty

February 2, 2009 3:34 PM | Link to this

Yes, students and parents deserve a choice. Everyone should be able to choose. The best way to do that is to shut down the government run system and let everyone pay for their own children’s education.

Vouchers will only have a negative effect on the current private system. Every school that wishes to remain exclusive will raise its tuition the equivalent of the voucher amount. Politicians being what politicians are, especially those opposed to vouchers, will demand untold regulations on any school receiving the funds. This will not only destroy the existing schools, but will undermine the efforts of new schools attempting to open and flourish to fill what will no doubt be an enormous demand. Any school not taking the vouchers will be unable to compete financially.

The proponents of the government schools will have achieved their real goal of destroying the private and successful alternative market. Those who oppose government schooling will have simply fallen into their trap and will have delivered the private sector alternatives to the destructive micromanaging legislators on a silver platter.

The best way to achieve choice is to end the socialist system of education and educational funding. Only through that mechanism can we ever hope to restore quality and freedom to our schools and real choice to parents and their children.

By Cheryl

February 2, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this

Would private schools have to be accredited in order to receive tax dollars? Would the parents of students already enrolled in private schools be eligible for the funding?

If parents opt for another public school, what standard of acceptance would be required? If even the public schools only accept the well behaved, capable students, then what will be left in a schools already struggling to meet accountability standards?

This looks like another way for the disenfranchised middle class to separate themselves from their communities, all at the expense of taxpayers.

By hmmmm

February 2, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this

I am a Democrat but this is one Republican ideal I agree with. You Democrats talk a good game but when you can afford to send your child to a private school - all of you do. Low income and middle class families are suppose to “support” the local school system while you guys take advantage of better schools. It’s time for a little competition. I almost feel like I have gotten a better education than my daughter. That is a shame. I support vouchers and free enrollment. If I can transport her to the school and eat beans/rice to do so- that’s my business —because we’ll see the great reward in the end. Mr. Johnson you have my support- public school was not good enough for Pres. Obama, Jesse, or any of our leaders who want us to buy into failing schools. I wouldn’t buy a damaged car or moldy food, so what makes you think I want to pay for a failing school system. Get real……

By MrLiberty

February 2, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this

The level of understanding of even BASIC economics among AJC readers is rather quite amazing - no, that is not a compliment.

First, tax dollars currently go to religious schools all over this country. Its called the GI Bill and a good example would be Notre Dame.

Second, why does everyone who opposes this idea on the basis of “functionality” only limit themselves to what is in existence TODAY? You know there was once a time when television was thought to be a fad that would pass. Even the head of the government patent office around the turn of the 20th century said that he thought that everything that could be was already invented! Why do you limit yourself to your current understanding?

If every parent was given $5000 to spend on their kid’s education, why do you think that the current crop of private, religious or otherwise schools would be the only ones in existence? They could never handle the load and hundreds if not thousands of schools would spring up to handle the demand. One of you suggested that this was just another way to drive the middle class out of their neighborhoods. Why couldn’t there be a school right down the street from your house? There is a Publix, Kroger, or some other equivalent isn’t there? How about a place to get gas, or get your clothes cleaned, or your car washed, or your hair cut. Don’t you think that there are enough kids in the general area to fill a school or two or three?They didn’t show up because you did anything to request them. They showed up because you needed the service and you had the money to support them.

If you don’t have any clue how the market works or how it manages to fulfill the needs of everyone given time, then please stop suggesting that you do with inane comments about locations, availability, access, and the like. Of all the businesses I mentioned and the whole host of others that fill our great city and state, many cater to specific needs. Diffent types of hair, different style of clothes, different kinds of food, different styles of shoes, etc. Some provide their services at a discount price and that is their specialty. Some provide services to those with special needs.

Why would you assume that hundreds or even thousands of schools competing for your voucher money would only provide educational services at super high prices and only to the most well-behaved and best performing kids in the city? Do you really think that there are THAT many of those kids? Don’t you think that there would be a niche market for parents with kids the schools have labelled “disruptive” have drugged with Ritalin, etc. and have branded as troublemakers for the rest of their lives? A school that focusses on getting those kids off drugs, giving them the space for recess, giving them interresting things to learn and the like might be just the ticket for the parent that is fed up with the current system’s approach. I bet that is a big and growing market. So you don’t want your kid around those disruptive kids any more. Fine. They will likely be better off getting the special focus they need.

As for money, some will likely charge more than the $5000. Most probably won’t. Every 20 kids is $100,000. The government schools are wasting way more than that, mostly on administration. There is no reason why an efficiently run school couldn’t still turn a profit on that funding. And by the way, schools don’t have to be 1000+ strong. That is just the most efficient way for the central planners to control the process today. Just look at Montessori schools and others and you can see that a few classrooms with multiple grades in each can easily be managed and can produce outstanding results. Every strip mall in this city could support a school. Why not? Hey, how about every subdivision?

But please don’t confuse my explanation of economics as an endorcement of vouchers. The long strings that will come with the money will likely destroy every positive that the private sector will hope to achieve. I am just tired of reading ignorant comments from folks who clearly have no understanding of how the market works to fulfill needs.

By d

February 2, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this

Hmmmm…. schools fail when all stakeholders are not involved, and perhaps the most important of these are the parents. Parents who treat school as daycare get what they put into it. Parents who treat schools as partners in their children’s education get the quality product they deserve.

By Chris Johnson

February 2, 2009 4:25 PM | Link to this

Vince,

I love the way you attack the voucher program with your divisiveness and scare tactics. You attempt to use both economic class warfare (“rebates for upper class”) as well as the tried and true racial warfare(“not going to open their doors to under-privileged youth”).

The public school system is in trouble because the higher performing students and/or those with parents who are involved in their child’s education are already flooding to private schools or home schooling. This alternative may give some parents, who would not otherwise have, the option of sending their children to a better learning environment.

In most cases, especially political, when the argument has fundemental flaws the best resort is to try and turn it into a economic or racial good v. bad.

By d

February 2, 2009 4:32 PM | Link to this

Mr. Liberty brings up a good point that new schools would come into existence, but what concerns me is the possibility of a school coming into existence simply for voucher money with extremely low standards and no accountabilty until it is too late and students are the ones who suffer.

By Jim

February 2, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this

I’m really curious as to the motivation behind anyone opposed to vouchers. If we pay taxes and the Government provides each school with a specific amount per student, what’s the issue with them giving parents an option of deciding where those dollars go? Competition is a good thing. This would cause all schools to work harder to educate our children to the best of their ability. I’m all for vouchers and will support any politician willing to stand up and do the same.

By MrLiberty

February 2, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this

d

Please describe in detail the accountability that government schools now have. Can you leave them and take you money with you? Are they independantly certified by some agency other than the one they are all in bed with?

No doubt this situation would occur. Parents need to pay attention to what is being taught and whether or not their kids are learning anything, not just what grades are being passed out.

No, the free market is not utopia. Again, please tell me how the current system is closer to that ideal.

At least the market has accountability in that you can take your money and walk.

By d

February 2, 2009 5:10 PM | Link to this

Mr. Liberty, I would hardly considere SACS an agency in bed with any public or private school. Look at Morris Brown and Clayton County Schools for example. This is the accountability I am talking about. I will never tell any parent he or she cannot send his or her child to the school that he or she feels is best for the child, just don’t expect me to pay for it. The public schools work when parents are involved. They fail when parents stay away. I would also argue under the state constitution, adopted by the people of this state, that vouchers for private school are illegal. Artivle VIII says public education money can only be used for public education. That is the way it should be anyway.

By George

February 3, 2009 4:34 PM | Link to this

It’s extremely tough to deny the fact that this proposal would increase the overall, that’s the OVERALL, quality of the state’s education, both public and private. Those schools that underperform will see more and more funds leave… they’ll either have to innovate, or be taken over by new management, boards, etc.

I myself like the idea of being able to spend my tax dollars where I choose to send my child for education. Moreover, I’d love to be able to send him where I can be more comfortable with the moral environment, even if that only means sending him to a school where I know most of the parents are onboard with education.

Many of the respondents here fit that description - for others, I would rather not have my child be brought down by your disinterested future-guest of the state.

According to schooldatadirect.org the per pupil spending in GA was $10,400 in 2006. If some districts (and private schools) can get the job done for $5,000/pupil, then more power to them. If public schools loose half of that $5,000 they still have the remaining half in funding to teach students who aren’t there anymore.

The parents who care will have access to better-quality education… those who don’t care will have…wait, they don’t care so what does it matter?

By George

February 3, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this

I see lots of posts asking why we can’t just “fix” the current system. The answer is very simple…Gov’t doesn’t know how to fix them! What’s wrong with us? Are we insane? Gov’t has been “fixing” the problem for the last 30-years, and quality has steadily deteriorated under the social-engineering dogmas of the education-establishment. (a.k.a, unions, advocacy groups, et al.).

The Gov’t should be entrusted to those things that there would be no market for. Education doesn’t come close to that category. A market-based approach can do it better. Don’t believe me?, find out how many elected leaders send their kids to public schools.

By dm

February 3, 2009 5:12 PM | Link to this

In a good school choice program, the money is not “rebated” to parents, but rather the money follows the child, meaning that wherever the child is enrolled, the state student per diem applies to that school. This allows public and private schools to receive the per diem according to enrollment. Just as our public schools have to be accredited, private schools receiving this money would need to be held to the same standard. The school administrator above is right. There are many private schools which do not deserve state money, because their education is substandard even to many of our public schools. I was on the original Non-Public, Charter, and Special Purpose Schools Commission with SACS and can tell you that more and more private schools are feeling the squeeze to bring their schools up to par in order to meet accreditation standards. I have been principal in a private school and was asked often by parents seeking information for admission if my school was accredited. Parents are more aware of accreditation now and are concerned that their children be educated in a school held by that accountability. Charter Schools is an example of the state’s attempt to create choice within the public school system. These schools operate under the state dept of ed, but not the local board. They have their own bd of directors. “Start-up charters” are created by an independent group of parents and community people who write a charter setting specific goals for themselves. If they do not meet these goals, they lose their charters. The other type is called a conversion charter which means it was an already existing public school that was converted by the local board to a school with a particular focus or emphasis. An interesting trend takes place in start-up charters, particularly. The original founders of the charter are usually more educated and education-minded people who have their own children and children like theirs in mind. In the beginning, the charters tend to serve more middle- to upper-middle class students and have high parent involvement, and their scores reflect that. As time goes on, and other parents begin to hear about this school with smaller classrooms, more teacher support, and higher success rates, the population begins to change. Parents with children whose needs are not being met in other schools begin to seek out the charter schools. Some of these children have learning difficulties and some behavior problems. Some of these parents who have tried everything finding no successful place for their child, bring them to the charter school. Some charter schools require testing and the meeting of certain grade and behavior standards for acceptance, but others accept students solely by lottery with no admission requirements at all. Many charters begin to fail to meet their goals as this change in population takes place, but the good ones buckle down and find ways to meet the needs of that changing population. I was hired by one such charter school to coordinate the program for the at-risk students. The beauty of the charter school was that, since we were not under the control of the local board, if something didn’t work, we could choose not to continue it and try something new until we found something that worked better. We had more flexibility in how we spent our money, and we didn’t have to do the same thing for every student whether it worked or not. We could differentiate to meet individual needs. That charter school continues strong and is in fact one of the top 8 charter schools in the country. Another important observation about charter schools is that parents from neighborhoods with failing schools sought out schools that could give their children the chance they needed for a good education. It was not only the middle class and highly educated parent who brought their children to this school. One single mother with little education living at poverty level in a high-crime, low-income neighborhood with six children enrolled her children in 3-4 different schools using the charter and magnet schools to her benefit. Her involvement was limited because of her struggle to make a living as a single-parent of 6, but she would take a bus to attend a conference. Since her son, who was a very bright but under-achieving student was in my program, I worked closely with this mother and came to greatly admire her.

Believe me, there are many mothers like this one who would take advantage of the voucher program. And, just like the charter schools, the good schools, private or public, will rise to the occasion and meet the needs of changing populations. Any school who accepts state money should be held to certain standards and expected to show annual proof that they are meeting or making progress toward their goals. Those who don’t should be denied public money. If the proper checks and balances are in place, and accountability is demanded, a voucher program could definitely help improve our education system.

There is one more positive in favor of the voucher program. I have worked with at-risk children for years, and they are not all from low-income, under-educated families. Many of the parents of these children are frustrated because their children can’t or don’t get the services they need from public or private education. A voucher program would be just the incentive needed for schools designed to meet the needs of such students. I, for one, would gladly open a school for these students if I could get support from the state dept of ed.