I'm not an attorney so I'm not qualified to comment on the case. My inclination would be to avoid voucher systems in any case because of a fundamental truism of government funding: there are ALWAYS strings attached. I'd also note that I haven't seen a voucher program yet that proposed funding for homeschooling (perhaps you're aware of one?). Nor do I think we will, if for no other reason than the homeschoolers themselves would oppose it.
The difference between tax credits and a voucher are, as you suggest, a matter of form versus substance. But I think it's an important matter of form.
Lastly, I do think that parents should have to scratch the check. People often don't value something that they receive for "free."
My inclination would be to avoid voucher systems in any case because of a fundamental truism of government funding: there are ALWAYS strings attached. "
So, to suggest that Govt 'strings' are a problem, well, er, THAT'S THE POINT of vouchers. To remove the level of Govt monopolistic instrusion in how education is delivered to children and replace the educrat monopolies with educational marketplaces.
The WHOLE POINT of vouchers is to come up with the BEST plan that minimizes Government intrusion and red tape while maintaining the essential need to provide an education for those that need it and cannot afford it.
It's simple reality that Govt will pay for education for most kids, because many parents cannot afford it, and many of those that *can* afford (eg me) are paying for public school already via taxes. So give us (the parents) our money back so we can control school spending by choosing where to place our children. Who care more about the children than parents?
the minimalist, least 'govt-strings' way to provide needed education funding while maintaining the essential societal goal - one that voters demand take place - is a direct grant to parents. Direct funding to the parents.
Call it what you will - vouchers, educational grant program, tax credit - what is *means* is more important:
A Real Marketplace for education and REAL SCHOOL CHOICE for millions of kids in underserving schools.
Yes, you could have the Government set up a school board that dictates the schooling for all children in a district, and if they screw up, you get the state to dictate curriculum, etc. It all is done badly in many places and even in the best schools, it is done inefficiently with the inevitable overhead that any monopoly system introduces.
The result has been expensive schools that under-teach.
We often here of local control as a solution. The ultimate local control is parental control.
As for the complaint, very mistaken, that vouchers might harm private schools: Dont let the good be the enemy of the best here. It's a myth that voucher mean more regulation of any schools heretofore less-regulated. That is another concoction of school unions, NEA, etc. who *wish* it to be so, and cast around for any way they can regulate charter schools, home schools, private schools etc. in the crib.
Don't fall for it. Yet any school not comfortable with educational grants can reject those grants.
The same forces that want vouchers want less regulated schools and more choice, so they will *free* schools from red tape.
Study after study has shown that vouchers and school choice WORKS. Parents are more satisfied, children have more opportunities, learning achievement increases, and efficiencies improve.
"I'd also note that I haven't seen a voucher program yet that proposed funding for homeschooling (perhaps you're aware of one?). Nor do I think we will, if for no other reason than the homeschoolers themselves would oppose it."
No homeschooler is *required* to take funding, and no private school is either. But liberating some people from excessive financial burdens if they are responsibly taking on educational burdens themselves is a fair deal for all.
"The difference between tax credits and a voucher are, as you suggest, a matter of form versus substance. But I think it's an important matter of form."
The SUBSTANCE of school choice and the creation of marketplaces in education instead of monopolies is the esential substantive change required. Form is secondary, however, it is clear that most funding comes at the state and local level, and therefore a 'tax rebate' is not a convenient vehicle for comprehensive educational grants or vouchers. That is why most school choice programs take the 'voucher' form that they do. It simply make most practical sense.