My mother always used to say, "Open the jar, and the worms will come out." This seemed to apply to almost any controversial situation. Bloggers are having a field day with a "jar opening" decision about school vouchers. On cnn.com we learn that Utah lawmakers have okayed vouchers for all students currently in public school. They are allotting up to $3,000 for any public school student to put towards private school. The amount will depend on family income, but even the most affluent families will be eligible for $500 per child.
I am sure that parents of children already in private school are not happy campers, because they aren't eligible to receive any money for their kids. Ouch! That has to hurt!
Nearly every education organization in the state, especially the teachers union, opposes the program, saying tax dollars should not be spent at private schools.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Stephen Urquhart, tried to alleviate concerns that public schools would be shortchanged. In Utah, income taxes must pay for public education. The money for vouchers would come from the state's general fund, which pays for all other state programs.
How far can one go on $3,000 towards private school? Maybe magic beans would be more helpful. Just another note. Would vouchers be of interest to anyone if public schools could set the same standards for enrollment as private schools?