Here's my favorite scenario. Let's give vouchers to parents to use for supplies for home-schooling. There have been enough stories of welfare mothers having extra kids for the extra cash. How long would the lines of welfare mothers be holding out their hands for $$ claiming that they are homeschooling? It would probably outnumber the crack addicts, but not by much. ( Thoeting)
Thoeting,
I agree with you completely.
Ideally, parents would pay for their own children's education. Are you aware that private schooling is really very inexpensive on average. In many cases the cost of K-12 education is less than the cost of babysitting.
Private vouchers to private schools should be available to the poor. How about a yearly "Education United Fund" drive for the poor?
I'm going to respectfully disagree with you. Private schools are outrageously expensive. Typically schools that are connected with a church are the least expensive as the churches pick up the price. As an example, my in-laws belong to a Lutheran church that has a K-8 school that is free to anyone who wishes to come.
Some examples from the DC area
Bishop Ireton High School - $7,300–$11,10
Blue Ridge School- boys 9th–12th grade; $26,500
Calvary Road Christian School and Pre-school - $6,270
Hill School $9,500–$13,600
Paul VI Catholic High School, 9th–12th grade; $6,690 (diocesan Catholics), $8,750 (others)
Sydenstricker School $250–$675 a month
Public schools typically spend around 8K per student and that looks about the market average, give or take.