The Busine$$ of Voucher$ vs. Choices that Work For Kids
Years ago, I was talking with a lovely director of a lovely and elite private school about private school vouchers. She was touting what her school had to offer in terms of class sizes of 12, and science laboratories and technology rooms, and truly, it was lovely.
Actual Conversation 15 years ago:
She: Why would you be against allowing poor children the ability to receive a scholarship voucher to attend this lovely school? Don’t poor children deserve the same right as rich children to come to a school like this?
Me: So, I want to understand what you just said. Rich children have a right to come to your school?
She, confused: Excuse me?
Me: Rich children have a right to walk into your office, plunk down their money and demand to be enrolled in your school?
She: Well, of course, there’s a process. There’s an application. There’s a test. There’s a committee. Our standards are very high. It protects the students to make sure they’re a good fit for our program.
Me: So, they have a right to apply. They have a right to show they have high