Would vouchers create a “competitive marketplace” that would stimulate improvements in Texas public schools?
Competition among schools and adults won’t lead to excellence. There is no established relationship between competition and effective teaching. Indeed, men and women who become educators don’t do so to compete with each other. Paradoxically, vouchers would weaken the competitive edge of public schools by taking away financial resources, the best students, and involved parents. In addition, there is no fair competition when “competitors” play by different rules. Public schools have to accept all applicants; private schools don’t. Private schools are not required to provide transportation, special education, bilingual education, free and reduced price lunches, and many other programs that public schools must provide. Public schools are extensively regulated and private schools are not.
