Opinion Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Here are reasons why school vouchers could actually harm your child’s education

We want to emphasize to our communities that vouchers will jeopardize the quality of education throughout our state.

A common misconception is that parents may use them to leave the public school system to enroll their children in a private or home school. In fact, these families would face many obstacles. Many private schools have selective enrollment, potentially leaving those with behavior problems or learning disabilities in public schools.

Under most proposed plans, school vouchers would not fund the entire cost of tuition. Therefore, only families who could afford to supplement additional tuition would be able to attend.

Most private schools do not provide free transportation, so only students whose families could transport them to school would benefit from the voucher. Many private schools are parochial, where religious orientation may not be appropriate for some families.

Texas public schools are at a major crossroads. We must work together to ensure that the almost 5 million students attending the state’s 1,041 public school districts and its 200-plus charter schools are prepared for the future. This is the 21st century; it’s time to provide the excellence in education, along with the equity and innovation, needed for student success.

Jamie Wilson, superintendent of schools, Denton ISD

Steven Waddell, superintendent, Lewisville ISD

Jerry R. Thomas, dean and professor, College of Education, University of North Texas

Top Picks