PLATFORM : Beggaring Schools

The establishment of a voucher system in California would devastate public education at a time the system needs reinvigoration. The state’s parent-teacher associations are concerned that under a voucher system, public money would be funneled to parochial and private schools at a time the public schools could least afford such a drain.

A voucher system is also unfair to poor people. A voucher wouldn’t cover the full cost of tuition and the poor can’t afford to pay the uncovered portion. If we shift funding into so-called schools of choice, students from poorer families will inherit an underfunded system featuring larger class sizes and poorer quality.

Public schools bring together people of all races, religions and cultures, something private schools can’t do very well. Without strong public schools, society will become divided and Balkanized.