I agree with your concerns regarding the future of the voucher system and what that may/may not do to both the public and private schools.
The students who do not come to school at age six with the proper tools to be successful have been a concern in this country for years. Because of the lack of prenatal counseling, the lack of education of the parent, the lack of money for extra curricula activities, the lack of proper hygiene and diet many of these kids come to school sorely behind their classmates.
We have provided free pregnancy clinics, free preschool programs, free breakfast and lunch programs, free before/after school programs...and have not made a dent in the needs of these kids. Clinton's 1990 education reform bill stated that all children would enter school with the tools to learn. The Bush/Kennedy states that all children will be reading by the third grade. How can this happen when parents have the right to choose these programs or not? If a parent chooses to take drugs/drink/smoke during pregnancy, to create an atmosphere of violence and drug use in the home, to refuse to assist their children in going to after school help programs, doing homework or even getting to school on a regular basis, we as a society cannot force them to do so. And we should not be held responsible, after initiating all these programs, for their lack of education.
Many parents in these neighborhoods are kind, loving people who want to see their children do well. These are the folks who would benefit from a voucher. A few years ago, I was working on a grant with Boston College, and we visited many single Moms, in the city, asking what they felt they needed most in their neighborhood schools. The overwhelming answer was safety! It was not unusual to hear a Mom say that her child was sent to school in the plainest clothes that they had because any jacket, jewelry, etc. that looked valuable would cause them their death! These women wanted a way out for their kids but could not afford even an inexpensive parochial school.And they at least wanted to have uniforms required for all students to eliminate this threat.
These women would welcome a choice for their kids and would like a chance to see if it works. While we all debate the long term issues, their children are being poorly educated and are in fear of their lives. |
