Former New Hampshire State Senator Mark Fermald writes a special op-e3d for Seacoastonline explaining the dangers of school vouchers.
John Adams and the founders of New Hampshire understood that in order for us to be self-governing people—a radical proposition in 1784—the entire population has to be educated, so that we can be informed about the issues of the day, question candidates, and make choices about our future.
Our public schools live up to this ideal. All school-aged children are welcome, and all receive the same services, regardless of race, creed or economic status. School buses ensure that all children are able to get to school.
The voucher system advocated by New Hampshire Republicans is a dagger aimed at the heart of public education—and therefore, at the heart of our democracy—by creating a system that disfavors our public schools.
The public schools are subject to minimum standards set by the state; they must provide special education services; they must accept all comers; they are free; and they administer standardized tests each year in grades 3 through 8.
Schools taking the voucher money have no such requirements. There are no rules, no accountability, and they are free to reject students who are difficult or expensive to educate.
Vouchers are touted as a way for non-wealthy children to attend private school, but the lion’s share of voucher money is going to families who were already sending their children to private school.
With new money being offered for private school education, you can be sure the market will respond. New private schools will open, and existing private schools will expand, to take advantage of the free state money.
And therein lies the danger.