Could Vouchers Work?

Author's Note: This post is an excerpt of a college paper that I wrote in 2006 to support the idea of school vouchers. It is important to remember that I was still a public school teacher at the time of writing this paper. This opinion is not based on what would benefit me personally, rather it is a reflection of my philosophical belief that all children deserve to be educated in the least restrictive environment of their choice. I believe for there to be any true growth in our educational system, systemic changes must be adopted in order to bring competition into the educational landscape. With that in mind please enjoy my proposal for educational vouchers in Kansas.

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Reflective Thinking Report (Week 3)
Foundations of Educational Administration- Summer 1
Jason Soule
Wednesday, June 21, 2006

In 1983, President Reagan commissioned an examination of America’s public schools. The report that was produced was called “a Nation At Risk” and opened many people’s eyes to the ineffectiveness of our public education system. In the twenty years hence, the issue of education has been an anvil of idealism for local, state and federal politicians nationwide. But in spite of the posturing and promises and in spite of applying the Band-Aid of budgetary increases, the system has made little upward movement. The truth is that true reform in education is weighed down by the lack of priority. Educators understand the need for changes but resist them at the same time.
If you were to take the time to ask one hundred people on the street what is necessary to fix public education, it is likely that you would get one hundred different answers. So with this diversity in mind, I would like to offer my suggestion for reforming local education.
I believe that the God given responsibility for raising and educating a child is placed on the family of that child. In many cases, however, education is delegated to public schools. In and of itself, that is not a bad thing, but unfortunately many parents have the idea that their accountability for the education of that child ends when they drop him or her off at the flagpole. Others that take an interest or an active roll in the education of their child are deemed within the education profession as intrusive or meddlesome.
It is my opinion that we as a society need to give the power of education back to the family. Allowing parents to choose the ideal educational atmosphere for their children can do this. In our current system, educational choice is reserved for the upper middle class and wealthy members of society. Many low to middle class parents do not have educational options available to them because of economic reasons. This circumstance leaves no options for families that do not feel the local public school is adequately meeting the needs of their child. I believe that there is a way to offer school choice through vouchers without endangering public education. At the same time, the increase of competition will give public educators a personal reason to adopt true educational reform.
For the 2005-2006 school year, the state allocated $4257 as the base state aid per pupil. Enrollment in public schools in 2004-2005 was 466,037 students. The number of students enrolled in non-public (private and home) schools in the same time period was 30,742 students. These students amount to 6.6% of the enrolled students in Kansas. It is my proposition that each family should be offered a $2000 voucher that can be used toward payment of the school of their choice. This would allow families from all socioeconomic backgrounds to choose the education that best meets their own needs.
Many would argue that a system like this would severely endanger the funding of public education, but I disagree. My plan also includes raising the base state aid per pupil to $4600 in public schools. This increase would help to offset the loss of pupils. One scenario would look like this assuming that the number of non public school students would immediately double.

Public Schools (Pre Voucher)
Base State Aid Per Pupil (pre voucher)
$4257

Number of Pupils (pre voucher)
466,000

Total
$1.98 billion

Public Schools (Post Voucher)
Base State Aid Per Pupil (post voucher)
$4600 (9.25% increase)

Number of Pupils (post voucher)
404,000 (13% decrease)

Total
$1.86 billion (6% decrease)

Non-Public Schools
Base State Aid Per Pupil (post voucher)
$2000

Number of Pupils (post voucher)
62,000

Total
$124 million

Another aspect to consider is that in Wichita, only 55% of public education monies come from state sources. When averaged out, this would amount in 3.3% budget drop while serving 13% fewer students state wide. The monies per student would increase by just under 10%.
I understand that change can be hard to accept for many people. But true reform has been put off long enough. It is time to take significant action to reform education and give equitable opportunities to everyone regardless of social status. This is a system that will offer choices to the ones that are truly accountable for children and strengthen education for the benefit of all students.