School Choice and Vouchers

The Debate over “School Choice” and “Vouchers”

Education has recently been a hotbed of reform. Since the “No Child Left Behind Act” of 2001, many parents, communities, politicians and educators have been seeking ways to improve our nation’s education system. Within its provisions, NCLB brought to the forefront of educational debate the ideas of school choice and school vouchers.

Choice

The school choice program, first introduced in the ESEA of 1965, and amended in NCLB 2001, gave parents the means to have an impact on their child’s education. The process, in as simple terms as I can describe, works like this:

1. Every school is evaluated at the state level.

2. The school receives a grade based on a predetermined rating system that looks at items such as: dropout rate, attendance, suspensions, and performance on state standardized tests

3. If a school receives a failing grade or is not meeting the standards (usually on standardized tests) then corrective measures may take place which include restructuring. The school will sometimes be labeled as a Title I school.

4. Parents that have students who attend a Title I school will have the options of receiving supplemental education services for their child. (Sometimes this includes free tutoring or enrichment)

5. Parents also have the option of requesting a child be enrolled in a school that is identified as not being at risk and meeting targeted state goals such as AYP. Usually this is done through a local education agency and requires documentation and good reasoning on why a school transfer is requested.

More information: Click here

Although this is a federal initiative, the process described above is more of a guideline rather than an actual set of instructions regarding school choice. Many states are interpreting the process differently. New Jersey has outlined their plan through what they call, The Interdistrict School Choice Program , that was signed into law by Governor Christie on September 10, 2010. (letter here)

Governor Christies plan follows the guidelines and gives some additional steps and regulations to clarify how this process will work. Here are some important aspects of the NJ plan:

1. School districts have the option currently to participate in the program

2. Transportation cost up to 20 miles are covered by the school

3. Students can only be accepted to schools that have openings for students that are a part of the choice program.

4. Schools will choose the student by lottery.

More comprehensive details: >here<

Vouchers

A voucher system is when parents are given the money from city, state, or the federal government to pay for their child’s education. The money, certificate or scholarship they are receiving is equivalent to their local districts per pupil expenditure. The money is generally put into an educational savings account that the parents can withdraw from to pay for the tuition for the child’s school. Sometimes this is done through the school directly.

Some possible drawbacks to school choice and vouchers are:

1. Schools that are considered at risk may lose students who generally score higher on standardized tests. This may ultimately hinder the schools ability to reach AYP furthering the perceived failure of the school.

2. This is an expensive endeavor. Sending students out of district usually is paid for by the sending school. Transportation cost can add up depending on how far the student is traveling. Who pays for all of this? (Taxpayers) interesting article: >here<

3. School population changes could lead to instability as far as teachers, programs, and budgets are concerned. Schools losing students will need to compensate for the loss of money.

Some positives:

1. Parents can actively be involved in their child's educational choices as far as programs, curriculum, and teachers.

2. Schools that are successful establish themselves as "magnet" schools. They can set a possible example for other districts. Attracting more students to these schools can lead to an increase student success rate.

3. Reduces economic segregation as students from lower income areas have the choice to go to higher achieving schools.

I believe that the overall positives, on paper, outweigh the negatives to school choice and school vouchers. I also believe that healthy competition leads to innovation. The current school structure is in need of an overhaul. However, how will we implement this change? Currently public schools are only evaluated on a standardized testing system that many believe is flawed. How will charter, public and private schools be held accountable for their academic programs? Shifting school populations will only cloud our overall perception of how a local school is performing. Do we measure the success of a program based on each moving student’s individual performance? Who will track that information? There are so many questions that are still unanswered.