by Rebecca Bibbs

Created on: May 29, 2007

The issue of vouchers assumes that private or parochial schools serve the interests of our communities when, in fact, they actually serve their own more limited interests. Public schools, however, were designed from the outset to serve the overall good of society as a whole, not just those who subscribe to certain beliefs.

The larger problem with government money being paid to private or parochial schools - beyond the obvious issue of separation of church and state - is that these schools do not and cannot serve all students. Private and parochial schools have limited seats to offer. Therefore, they can put in place requirements that ultimately siphon off the best students from public schools, leaving the impression that they are inherently superior and lowering the overall benchmarks used by public schools. There are no guarantees that parents seeking seats in these schools for their children will get them. Unlike public schools, the bar for expulsion also is much lower.

The bottom line is that there is a place for all types of choice in our society. Certainly, parents who have the ability to pay for the kinds of education they prefer should be allowed to do so - on their own dime. Though they may complain that their children don't benefit from the taxes they pay, that is the choice they make. Many of us choose to buy books rather than visit the public library, pay enormous fees to country clubs rather than picnic in public parks and tap our insurance to visit emergency rooms at private hospitals rather than the county facility. Still, we are collectively responsible for providing these services in the same way we must make available a free education.

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