School vouchers - bad idea?

[Professor]

Inspired by another thread. So, why are school vouchers a bad idea?

http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/ ... chers.aspx

I'm not sure that I understand why I should pay for public schools, where my kids DON'T attend, as well as pay for private schools?

And, no, sending my kids to public school is NOT an option. At least, not if I want them to actually learn something. In 2013, the average ACT score for the nation was 20.9. Louisiana was third from last, with an average of 19.5. New Orleans public schools were 5th from last, with an average of 18.2. Quite literally, we are among the worst of the worst of the worst.

[Philly]

Everyone has to pay for public schools. If you don't have kids you still have to pay. It's a public service. Why should you get money back to send your kid to private school but I have to pay taxes for public school even though I have no kids (and if you say I shouldn't have to either I'll cut the brakes in your racecar)

[Ben Huh]

I have no problem paying for local area public school as I'd rather children be given a chance at an education than left to fend for themselves. At the same time, I do support vouchers if used as a way for a taxpayer that has children in a public school to use their tax dollars on a different school if they feel the current one is not up to par.

[John Galt]

[Indy]

Shouldn't we fix the system instead of simply handing people vouchers to send their kids elsewhere? That's an awfully regressive reaction to a problem, f**k it, don't fix it.

[Philly]

[The Comrade]

private schools, in aggregate, don't have a stellar track record.

[Philly]

[John Galt]

[Professor]