Opportunity Scholarships Do Not Harm Public School Finances. Voucher opponents contend the legislation is the beginning of the dismantling of public education. Nonsense. In 2013, the state is requesting $10 million for Opportunity Scholarships. When compared with the $7.5 billion the state spends for K-12 public education, the scholarship funds comprise 13 hundredths of 1 percent of the entire education budget. On average private schools can educate a student for less than public schools. It is true these savings will also be offset by some students receiving vouchers who will not be leaving the public schools, but are already enrolled in private schools. This effect will be minimized, however, as it is likely that a small percentage of the low-income students eligible for the vouchers will have the means to already be enrolled in private school. In essence, certain schools will receive a little less money but will have fewer students requiring fewer resources. Overall the difference in per pupil funding is not that significant. In 2006, a study by Susan Aud reported that from 1990 to 2006 school choice programs across the nation had saved state taxpayers $22 million and local taxpayers approximately $421 million.[2] These savings can free up resources for other educational expenses and can actually result in higher per pupil expenditures.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 11:42:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015