Why We Oppose Private School Vouchers

I am Nate Hennagin, Legislative assistant here at Americans United for Separation of Church and State along with the national coalition for public education we oppose vouchers for many different reasons First: vouchers don't actually improve education. Studies of voucher programs in Cleveland, Milwaukee, and the District of Columbia have shown that vouchers lead to no significant improvement in academic achievement compared to public school students. The final study of the DC voucher program showed that voucher students do not feel more satisfied with their education and do not have higher aspirations for the future. They also have less access to important services for children with special needs or for english language learners as well as tutors, nurses' offices and cafeterias second schools that receive at your money do not have the same accountability as public schools such as teacher standards, curriculum, and testing requirements for example in 2007, the government accountability office reported then some schools of the DC voucher program less than half of the teachers had a bachelor's degree third and most important, vouchers harm religious liberty. the vast majority of outer students attend faith-based schools (about eighty percent of the d_c_ voucher program) religion is integrated into the curriculum in these schools and students are often required to attend religious services. Also, private schools are not subject to the same anti-discrimination restrictions as public schools and can discriminate in hiring based on religion. Because the voucher programs receive public funds, this comes into conflict with the values of the establishment clause of the First Amendment School vouchers are a bad idea. But today, is particularly important to stop them There is a push to renew and expand the D.C. voucher program in Congress and create voucher programs in the state legislatures across America. Speaker Boehner and Senator Lieberman have introduced bills in the US House and Senate to reauthorize the DC voucher program, increase its funding and open it up to new students. We are also closely following voucher legislation in nearly half the states, including Florida, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. The situation is becoming urgent But you can help prevent more tax dollars from paying for private school vouchers. Tell your legislators you oppose school vouchers. They'll listen. Go to our website at au.org to learn more!