Totally. Vouchers would benefit not only the children who left the state-run schools, but those who remain, as public schools would be improved via competition.
1)The biggest problem in schools today is children who are out of control. A smart, curious, focused, well-behaved kid will flourish even with a mediocre teacher. But if they are in a room full of chaotic little savages who act out relentlessly and make sure no learning takes place, the good kids trapped in there with them are screwed. Not to mention the little thugs waiting for your child in the bathrooms and stairwells.
The public schools are FULL of these children. After all, butts in seats = money and that is all that matters. So you'd think that a charter school would be different: they can kick out these little flies-in-the-ointment, right? Well apparently, so far, many of them are not. Know why? Same problem. They are new schools trying to establish themselves, and butts in seats = money.
2) Guess who the charter schools usually hire to teach the kids? Public school teachers.
I mean, we'll see how it shakes out as time goes on, but I predict that in 10 years, the charter fad will pass because the same problems that plague public schools also affect charters.