Vouchers are back in discussion again. Vouchers is the name for the idea that the government should give big checks to people to send their kids to private schools. It seems to me similar to arguing that if you don't like the bus system in your town the government should buy you a new car.
Here's the latest: Vouching for vouchers (Education).
This was of interest to me:
5) Vouchers destroy the public school system So? Having a public school system seems like a dumb goal to me, but even assuming that the very existence of such a system is somehow a worthy thing to aim for, surely it's achievement should be a second-order priority.
OK, I'll tell you what. Instead of refuting the nonsense that the privatization proponents use to bamboozle people I'mm make this deal: I'll vote for vouchers as long as the private school has to accept ANY kid, of ANY race or religion, with ANY disability or emotional problem -- just like public schools do. And they have to provide the services public schools provide those kids. AND the school must accept the voucher to cover the full tuition at that school, no matter what the school normally charges. Under those circumstances I think vouchers would be just fine. But we all know that educating our children -- regardless of their race or income or intelligence or problems, in other words, democracy -- isn't what vouchers are about at all, is it?