David Price: “our Republican friends would have us believe that school vouchers would level the playing field by providing low-income…”

“our Republican friends would have us believe that school vouchers would level the playing field by providing low-income parents the same choice as wealthy parents to send their children to private and religious schools. Unfortunately, that is an illusory promise. For one thing, the Republican proposals would provide vouchers to only a small proportion of low and moderate income families. Second, the Republican plans would cover only a fraction of the fees that most private schools charge. Most working families would be unable to make up the difference, making the vouchers useless to them, providing the greatest benefit for the wealthy families who can already afford the cost of tuition. Mr. Speaker, when we consider what these funds could do if applied to the improvement of public education for all of our children, raising standards, developing magnet schools, putting computers in every classroom, our choice is clear. The Republican voucher plan promises what it cannot deliver, and it would divert us from the challenge of making public education all that it can and must be.”