Here are a few things wrong with the school voucher proposal that has passed the Pennsylvania Senate and is to be considered in the House.

• This legislation is described as “promoting school choice options”, but it would be the private schools that would get to choose, not the parents. The private schools would be able to choose the best students and leave the hard-to-educate students behind. The public schools would have fewer resources because of the revenue lost to the voucher program. 65% 0f voucher money would flow to families already sending their children to private schools. Low income families would not be able to afford private schools with the amount received as vouchers.

• Vouchers don’t work. Studies of student achievement in cities where vouchers have been tried have not shown improved academic achievement. Private schools do not need to hire credentialed teachers or even college graduates.

• Religious liberties would be damaged. In cities where vouchers have been tried the majority of public money was funneled to religious schools where religious indoctrination is compulsory. Three sections of

Article III of the Pennsylvania Constitution prohibit the use of tax revenue to support religious schools.

In all 23 states where vouchers were put on the ballot the referenda were resoundingly defeated. Don’t let this run-a-way state legislature impose vouchers on us.

Jim Wise, President, Northwest Pa

Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

814-796-3115