Replies

I'm a bit amazed by this - why do so few students in failing schools take the voucher?

I think many people shared your surprise when it first happened in FL -- vouchers being offered and the majority not using them.

In addition to the reasons already cited, I will give you a few more reasons, based on my experience as a teacher who has taught in both public and private schools:

(1) Some private schools accepting vouchers DEMAND parental involvement to an extent previously unknown to the parent, and the parent will not buy into it. In every private school, before the child can attend the school, the parent is informed what guidelines exist at the school. Some parents do not like the guidelines. They choose not to send their child to that school. By contrast, in a public school, the parent is usually provided a booklet of rules, and written consequences, but nothing is said about any demands on the parent in terms of involvement. It is a different deal. Some parents may prefer the public school system for this reason alone.

(2) Some children are reluctant to leave their current school. The reasons vary: as Betty Jane mentioned, the child does not want to leave friends; also, some children simply do not want change. It is as if you are telling the child the family is moving, and the child does not want to leave familiar surroundings. Some parents decide not to force the issue on the child.

(3) There is currently a limited number of: (a) private school accepting vouchers; and (b) private schools accepting vouchers with available seats for new students.

As a result, more private schools are now opening in FL in light of the state's three voucher programs. Over time, it may be that more parents send their children to private schools. Eleven new such schools have just opened in Orlando, and most of these are small, religious schools. Black parents are the ones reportedly "snapping up" vouchers for these new schools, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

(4) IMO, another reason parents are reluctant to use vouchers is because the idea is simply too new to them, and still too controversial to them. School choice is an exciting idea to some parents, but it may be a burden to those parents who prefer to be told what to do.

That's my take on the issue. I am sure people here could add to the above list.

PS David, I must thank you for pinging people to this list -- and tell you once more how overjoyed I am to see that although you are a strong proponent of getting all students out of public schools (and, you know I do support homeschooling as well), I am thrilled you also show strong support for all Gov Bush is doing to improve public schools. Thank you again! :)!!

I have a couple of ideas as to why parents don't take advantage of these options.

First is ignorance. These opportunities are not widely advertised. I heard about the charter school during a radio interview on the Mike Rosen show. If I hadn't heard that, I never would have. The school district rarely mentions us.

Next is other people telling horror stories or guilting parents out of something different. People want to feel good about their choices. When I told my neighbors about the school my daughter was going to attend, I asked if they wanted info. Not one wanted it. The neighborhood school is, in my opinion, horrendous. But all the kids in my cul-de-sac attend. The parents like it or so they say.

Another thing is shear laziness in finding out about each school. In Colorado we have open enrollment, meaning any child can attend any school in any district in the state if there is available space. I looked at every school within a ten mile radius of my house. Only about 3% take advantage of this. The parents would have to arrange trransportation.

One more thing is total faith in teachers. I love my daughter's school and her teacher's. I have asked for advice and will take it under advisement. But I have seen parents who expect some 24 year old just out of college to have the answers to their kids every problem. Parents have been dumbed down so much that they need an expert opinion for everything. Now remember this in a school of choice. Imagine what parents of kids in regular school believe. It scares me to see people place their kids' futures so completely in the hands of people they barely know, but they do it everyday.

All I can do is to keep telling people about their options and hope they will make the right choices.

When I told my cousins, who are teachers in N.Y., that my daughter was in a charter, they thought I was nuts. I didn't realize until recently that N.Y. charters are designed to fail so the experiment will just go away.

Anyhow Dennis, keep your options open and investigate every school you may consider for your kids before you send them.