Vouchers
School choice is an increasingly hot topic in education, with the Trump administration vowing to expand it and states moving aggressively to create more and more options for parents. Today, 44 states and the District of Columbia have public charter schools serving more than 3 million students. Meanwhile, about half a million students in 31 states attend private schools using public dollars in the form of vouchers, tax credits or education savings accounts.
Views about vouchers differ in the education reform community with some favoring and others opposing. Even here at Education Post, we all support high-quality public charter schools but we have differing views around private school choice.
- Our Executive Director Peter Cunningham is against spending public dollars on private schools.
- Blogger and teacher Marilyn Rhames says that as a mother of three in a community with few quality educational options, a voucher would be a big help.
- Our Communications Director Mike Vaughn outlines a middle ground on the issue.
More on Vouchers
Now That Trump Is Abandoning Charter Schools, Democrats Are Free to Champion a Truly Progressive Education Platform
I could be Bernie Sanders’ daughter. After all, my parents were much like him, children of Eastern European Jewish immigrants who settled in New York…
There Are So Many Things Wrong With This Piece in ‘The Nation.’ Here Are My Top 4.
On New Year’s Eve “The Nation” published an analysis by Jennifer Berkshire called “The Democrats’ School Choice Problem.” Her piece is instructive because it illustrates a strategy…
Mayor Pete, If You Want to Be the Millennial Candidate, Support School Choice
Over the last 10 months or so, Democratic South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg has gone from affable unknown to the top of the polling…
School Choice Is Progressive
“Progressive” is a slippery word. The very term denotes improvement, progress, and thus is by nature a desirable term with which to self-apply. But “progress”…
She Has a Plan for Everything, So Where Is Elizabeth Warren’s Plan for K-12 Education?
I love a woman with a plan! And, Senator Warren, it seems like you have a plan for just about everything. There are currently 50…
Time for Democrats to Recognize the Progressive Roots of Charter Schools
Listening to the rhetoric of Democratic presidential candidates, one would think charter schools were a Republican initiative opposed by all progressives. Bernie Sanders calls for a…
If You’re Not Talking About Actively Disrupting Racism and Inequity in Education, You Can Kick Rocks
I watched the second round of the 2020 democratic presidential debates and I wasn’t as disappointed in the talking points as I was during the…
Education Is a Necessity and We Should Fund It Like It’s One
Letting parents choose the school or schooling that best fits their child shouldn’t be so controversial. We don’t question the right of people to choose…
The Push for Better Schools Is Paying Off in Florida
If you live in Florida, and especially if you have children here, there’s good news for you (well, for us): Florida schools are getting better.…
Here’s How We’re Giving Rich, White Families a Stealth School Voucher
Rich, mostly White homeowners are officially on welfare. I know. I was as surprised as you are. But millions of affluent homeowners filed their taxes…
