As a child, one of my favorite stories was Robin Hood
because he took from the rich and gave to the poor. As a child of parents who
struggled financially, I admired how Robin Hood was able to help those most in
need. I often dreamt of someone helping my family like that.
Fast-forward to 2017, where I have a chance in Colorado to
see the Robin Hood story play out, except in reverse. Vouchers. Yes, vouchers.
A program that takes from the taxpayer and gives to the rich to send their
children to expensive private schools. Who’s left out of vouchers? If you
listen to voucher-supporters, no one. If you look at the realities of voucher programs,
it’s those living in poverty.
The newest argument for vouchers is the belief the Blaine
Amendment needs to be overturned within Colorado’s Constitution. The Blaine
Amendment, passed in 1922, was anti-Catholic in origin. True. In Colorado
today, it prevents the formation of a voucher program. Also true.
Education reformers and voucher supporters contend vouchers
will give greater choice to parents, especially parents who wish to send their
children to private school, like a Catholic school. The isn’t completely true.
First, in the Denver-Metro area, parents already have school
choice—they can open enroll their children in any school that has room. I have
open-enrolled my child in a different district, and it was our decision to
make. But what if we have a $5000 voucher to put him in a Catholic high school?
Let’s say a local Catholic high school costs $13,000 a year in tuition. Simply tuition, not books, sports fees, school fees, etc. I take my
voucher to the school, and miraculously, my child is admitted! Wait. Where will
I find the extra $8000 or more it will take to keep my child there? Will the high
school give my child a full scholarship to attend? My child doesn’t have
extraordinary athletic gifts nor brilliant academic potential. How will I
afford books and other fees?
Instead, vouchers take from public schools. Public schools
are inadequately funded as it is, and vouchers will remove even more money from
our students. Moreover, public schools work with all students, including
students will learning, emotional, and physical disabilities. Taking money from
public schools takes money from these students as well. The Blaine Amendment
protects public schools from losing funds to private schools so public schools
can still work with ALL students.
Another voucher concern is this: vouchers are supposed to go
to ANY school. This means my homeschooling neighbor, who only graduated from
high school, will get voucher money for a personal choice to keep her child
home and educate him. How will our public money be used? Will private schools,
homeschools, cooperative schools, and any other type of private school be held
to the same standards as public schools? Will private schools be required to
provide special services for students with special education needs? There seems
to be no viable answers to these questions.
Vouchers are like Robin Hood, but in reverse. They take from
the middle class and poor, and give to the rich. Realistically, only those who
can afford private schools will be able to use vouchers. A student in the Five
Points neighborhood who wants to attend a private Catholic high school and
isn’t academically or athletically gifted or who has special needs will not be
able to use voucher money.
Those who advocate for overturning the Blaine Amendment or
for vouchers are disingenuous. They leave out the other aspects of this issue to
promote their own agenda. The Blaine Amendment should NOT be overturned. It is
the only way public school students are protected and provided a guaranteed and
viable education.
