It’s
time: Reconsider school-choice vouchers
A recent study pointed out that public schools in Pennsylvania are underfunded.
They need $1 billion more in Philadelphia alone, and $4.8 billion across
the state. Meanwhile, parents who send their children to Catholic schools
continue to make Herculean sacrifices to provide them with a top-notch
education. Such parents struggle to come up with tuition while still managing
to pay their public school taxes, like everyone else.
It seems unlikely that the state legislature will soon approve higher
taxes to raise almost $5 billion in new funding, on top of the $9 billion
already spent each year on public education. Yet the need for high achievement
by students remains. What to do?
The Church offers an answer: Let us help. Let Catholic schools in Philadelphia
and districts throughout the state educate more children, Catholic and
non-Catholic. Our proven high quality and cost efficiency represent a
win-win solution. Parents should be able to apply education vouchers to
a menu of options, including traditional parochial and private Catholic
schools, private non-Catholic schools and nonpublic charter schools. They
could also choose the local public school district if they believe its
options are best for their children.
All taxpayers would benefit by a more efficient use of their investments
in education, i.e. tax dollars. If parents are going to pay more in taxes,
shouldn’t they get greater choice for their trouble?
School choice in the form of tax credits has already proved very successful.
Each year, the commonwealth increases the amount of credits available,
and each year they are exhausted within weeks. Businesses find them attractive,
parents benefit by the donated tuition funds, and nonpublic schools of
all types continue to provide high-quality education.
Parents should be able to choose from an array of good options, including
Catholic schools, to best educate their children. School vouchers represent
a powerful tool in that regard.
The need for better education is great. Catholic schools can meet that
need by teaching children – Catholic and non-Catholic – effectively
and efficiently. The time is now to renew the debate over school choice
vouchers in Pennsylvania. Vouchers can help all God’s children earn
an education that fulfills their potential and benefits society with their
unique gifts. It is a debate the legislature, and everyone, cannot afford
to ignore.