Keep Public Education Public: Why Vouchers are a Bad Idea
This 2003 publication by NSBA examines the most controversial education policy issue of our time. It focuses on the evidence from existing programs, and delves into tuition tax credits as well. You can access the book's chapters and appendices below.
To purchase a hard copy of the entire publication, please visit NSBA's online bookstore and
order.
Resources
- Chapter 1: A Voucher Backgrounder
[PDF 70,446kb]
This chapter describes vouchers, looks at the history of the movement, the key players and recent trends.
- Chapter 2: The Trouble with Vouchers [PDF 63,951kb]
This chapter examines the problems with private school vouchers.
- Chapter 3: Setting the Record Straight [PDF 53,876kb]
This chapter looks at the evidence that undermines 10 common myths used to support vouchers.
- Chapter 4: Special Issues [PDF 68,385kb]
This chapter examines the Milwaukee, Cleveland and Florida voucher programs and reviews the existing research on vouchers. NOTE: Two new voucher programs (Washington, D.C. and Colorado) were created after the publication of this toolkit. The Colorado program currently is on hold following a court ruling that found it unconstitutional. The D.C. program is scheduled to begin in the 2004-05 school year.
- Chapter 5: Vouchers Via the Tax Code [PDF 46,560kb]
This chapter takes a look at the emergence of tuition tax credits as an offshoot of the voucher concept.
- Appendix: NSBA / Zogby International Poll on School Vouchers [PDF 194,863kb]
Executive summary and questions and results of 2001 national poll on the public's views on vouchers.
- Appendix: Talking About Vouchers -- Comments from Surprising Sources [PDF 41,274kb]
- Appendix: Editorial Pages Have Their Say on Vouchers [PDF 30,125kb]
A selection of editorials on the subject.
- Appendix: The Voters' Choice -- History of State Referenda on Vouchers and Tuition Tax Credits [PDF 25,063kb]
Put vouchers to a vote of the people and the answer has always been a resounding "No."
- Appendix: How Vouchers Have Failed Students and Taxpayers [PDF 30,982kb]
The nation's few existing voucher programs have had countless problems. NOTE: These examples predated more recent troubles in Florida's multiple voucher programs. For more on that click here.
- Appendix: Public School Facts -- Dispelling Some Common Myths [PDF 34,064kb]
- Appendix: Constitutional Issues -- Key Court Decisions on Vouchers and Tuition Tax Credits [PDF 24,150kb]