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Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2006 > February > 28 > Entry
The plight of private school parents
At a meeting Monday to discuss Ohio’s new voucher program, it was the parents who have already scrimped and saved and pinched every penny to get their kids out of public schools that didn’t meet their standards, and into private schools that do, who were out in force.
That’s because, at least in Dayton, they’re the ones being left out under the new voucher rules.
When lawmakers created the statewide voucher program, they focused on kids who were, in their view, “trapped” in failing schools — kids who are in public schools rated in academic emergency for three straight years. So the rules focus on where the child is attending now — if you’re in one of these qualifying schools, you can receive one of the vouchers for up to $5,000 to attend private school.
But, parents at the meeting last night said, what about those who refused to be trapped? What about those who are under just as much financial pressure as the families in public schools but who stretched and strained to get their kids into private schools because their educations mattered that much to them?
More than one parent last night said they were spending half their monthy take home income on private schools for their kids. And yet, as the rules are now, they are not eligible for vouchers that could make a real difference to their ability to afford the private schools where they said their kids were flourishing. And Dixie Allen, the pro-voucher Democrat from Jefferson Township, indicated changing the rules to include families currently in private schools may be a long shot.
What do you think of rules that prevent current private school families from receiving vouchers?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Charter Schools and School Choice
Comments
By Rita Heider
March 1, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this
I have always discriminated against because my tax dollars did not help us to educate our children who were educated in Catholic schools. It seems only fair that the Dollar should facilitate the child. In other words, it should follow the child in his/her educational process. If the money would help the individual instead of the system it would be used more wisely and the fruits would be evident.By Mary
February 28, 2006 3:43 PM | Link to this
I feel the parents anger and frustration and cheer them on in showing it. Education tax dollars should be focussed foremost and directly on educational needs, including those of students who feel compelled to leave public schools. I think it is an abomination that they do not receive these vouchers while so much money is pumped into education for what is essentially fluff for other students. For example, my district spends over $700,000 on student activity programs. That could finance $5,000 vouchers for 140 students who believe their educational experience to be substandard or offset educational materials and costs for homeschoolers. This situation exists in every school district. And most of these students’parents probably pay property taxes for what - mostly education.