Vouchers By Another Name?
None by KCPW
Governor Floats Idea of "Mobility Scholarships"
(KCPW News) Voters rejected vouchers and Governor Jon Huntsman says he'll respect that. But now he's floating an idea that some say is basically a voucher by another name. KCPW's Julie Rose reports:
Voters rejected vouchers and Governor Jon Huntsman says he'll respect that. But Huntsman also says there's a place for public tax dollars in the private school system. He would like to see tax-paid scholarships for low-income students who struggle in public schools so they could attend private school.
That kind of scholarship program would be much more limited than the universal voucher system voters rejected. And Huntsman calls them "mobility scholarships" rather than vouchers. But to Lisa Johnson of Utahn's for Public Schools, they're one and the same.
And Johnson says Utah voters clearly want the state to focus on improving public schools, rather than finding ways to spend tax money on private schools.
The Governor's idea for "mobility scholarships" is similar to scholarships already being offered to low-income families through the privately-funded Children First Utah. Last week lawmakers requested a briefing on that program and expressed some interest in helping to fund it.
Click here for a longer conversation wtih Governor Jon Huntsman on KCPW's Midday Metro.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Legislative Coverage, Election Coverage, 2007 Legislative Coverage, and Election 2007. Copyright 2009 KCPW
1. Tom Nedreberg said:
I can't believe our Governor. He won't fund dental care for low income children and gets private sources to do that and then wants to take public money to give to private schools. Calling a voucher a Mobility Scholarship means he hasn't heard the people. They don't want public money going to private education. He should get private money to pay for private education like he did with dental care. He needs to push to fund public schools and if he's concerned about low income kids, then he needs to push for additional funding in low income schools.
3. Dorothy Pappas Owen said:
I agree with Tom. Private schools are not going to make any money by taking children who struggle in school. Why do we think private schools can help these children for less money?
2. D Hitchcock said:
Tom Nedreberg's comment shows a lack of understanding of school funding. The governor is not proposing to "take away" public money for the schools. Each student going to public school represents an "expense" that will not have to be paid. It's a net wash whether that expense is paid to the public school or a private school. (Actually it's a net gain if the scholarship is less than the cost of educating at a private school). There is no extra expenditure of funds, unless you believe that students are educated at public schools for free.