School Vouchers: Put the Children First

Re “Bush Proposes $75-Million Voucher Plan,” July 2: It’s always about Democrats versus Republicans, isn’t it? When will the politicians just sit and work together to put the children’s interests first? Vouchers (or there should be an education tax rebate) will definitely give more power to the parents to choose the right thing for their children’s educations so they don’t have to put up with an unacceptable education at the public schools. I would rather see $75 million go to parents who care to better their children’s educations than give more money to bureaucrats to spend. Good schools are always about parental involvement, not more money for the bureaucrats.

Vicky Fong

Los Angeles

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Now that President Bush has proposed giving taxpayers’ money to private schools, I wonder if he will place on them the same demands he has laid on public schools. Will he insist that private schools accept all students who show up at their doors (holding a voucher, of course), or will he allow them to continue with pre-admission interviews and entrance exams? Will he insist that private schools accept difficult-to-educate students who are failing in the public schools or will he allow them to take the easiest to educate?

Will Bush demand accountability in the form of annual testing and punishment for schools that do not improve, exactly as he has done for public schools? Will he insist that every child have “highly qualified” teachers, meaning all teachers must have a college degree or pass a competency exam in the subject matter they teach? I hope the answer is yes, but my gut tells me he is going to give private schools a pass on every single item.

Marlin Sobbota

Arcadia

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July 2 headlines: “Bush Proposes $75-Million Voucher Plan” and “Bush Raises $34.2 Million for His Presidential Campaign.” Why doesn’t he put his money where his mouth is?

Mimi Kaufman

Los Angeles