Vouchers

I was quite disappointed to see the April 21 Michael Ramirez cartoon ridiculing the National Education Assn. for opposing vouchers.

It is unfair to characterize this organization and its members as illiterate simply because we don’t support taxpayer-funded vouchers. NEA opposes voucher schemes because they masquerade as “choice” while actually leaving the true choice in the hands of private school admission officials. In addition, the latest research--an independent study of the Cleveland voucher program--found that “there are no significant differences in third-grade achievement between [voucher] students and their Cleveland City School District peers.” The report also revealed that more than $1 million in taxpayer-subsidized voucher money was used to pay for cab fare to transport students to and from the private schools.

I was pleased, however, that The Times--in the very same edition--took a strong position against vouchers, saying, “Washington should help address the yawning education deficits in the nation’s public schools, but shifting even a small amount of tax money to private schools is not the answer.” NEA couldn’t agree more.

BOB CHASE, President

NEA, Washington