The question of the validity of the school voucher program is a question of choice, not for all parents, but specifically for poor, urban families, that do not have the money to move out of a failing public school system into a suburban school district with exceptional schools. Parents have choice currently in our public school system when they select the city and district in which to live. As stated in Paul Petersons article there are various internet sites that state a city's school report card and all real estate agents provide school data to potential home buyers. Everyday American home buyers are exercising a choice in public education by selecting which suburb to live in and which school district to have their children attend. However, the mobility that makes these choices possible requires money and "it is no accident that children lucky enough to be born into privilege also attend the nations best schools." Therefore, the issue of the school voucher program is to allow all children and families the access to quality education regardless of their address.
I personally believe that until all of our public schools, regardless of their city of location are equal, then a voucher or school choice program that allows families in failing districts to attend schools that are superior to their local schools is fair and goes a long way in equalizing the socio economic gap that exists within our public school system. Justice Clarence Thomas stated "The failure to provide education to poor urban children perpetuates a vicious cycle of poverty, dependence, criminality, and alienation that continues for the remainder of their lives. If society cannot end racial discrimination at least it can arm minorities with the education to defend themselves from some of the discrimination's effects."
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As Brian pointed out, many of his students are third generation welfare recipients. They haven't been given a choice in life. Perhaps if they were given a choice, they could be 'armed' to "defend themselves from some of the discrimination's effects". Education may be the only way to break the cycle.
ReplyDeleteI agree that failing to educate students in poverty and not providing them with options to break the cycle will simply cause the cycle to continue. By giving parents these choices they are giving their children a chance to achieve more than they did and to rise above their situation.
ReplyDeleteJustice Clarence Thomas put it nicely. I think it would be a vicious cycle of poverty and dependence, if we fail to educate our students. I think everyone deserves a fair chance to receive an education in a safe environment irregardless.
ReplyDeleteIn the following posts it was mentioned how students deserve the chance to get a good education while being in a safe environment. I agree that all students do deserve this chance. I often wonder though why schools that are outside the public system but still in the same community are often much safer. Often the schools that vouchers send students to be in the same community as the public schools are in. So why is the public school so dangerous and the private schools so safe? Should we have maybe two public schools so there is s smaller population size in the building so it's easier to control the violence? Maybe there should be a separate public school for students who have been in trouble (like suspended) many times in school? These kids going to the private schools were the same ones who were in the unsafe public schools. So what is causing the change in the environment and behaviors? This is something that needs to be looked into.
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