Article on Vouchers in Reason

Lisa Snell wrote a fascinating article about school choice and vouchers. Lisa is the director of the education program for the Reason Foundation. Lisa blogs at Education Weak.

The article had several insights into school choice and vouchers. Much of the article focused on how San Francisco has developed a school choice program. It seems to be working well. Many schools have a special focus, for example "Chinese, Spanish, and Tagalog language immersion schools, college preparatory schools, performing arts schools that collaborate with an urban ballet and symphony, schools specializing in math and technology, traditional neighborhood schools, and a year-round school based on multiple-intelligence theory."

One of the things I found interesting was that in one school before school choice the principal had control over about $25,000. Most of the school's budget was controlled at the district level. After school choice the principal had control over about two million dollars.

Another interesting thing was even with school choice the school district often charges a school a flat amount for each teacher. So the schools are motivated to get the best teachers, since they cost as much as a less productive teacher. The Oakland school district added a wrinkle, each school is charged the salary of the teacher. This motivates the principal to consider hiring two inexperienced teachers, which may cost as much as a senior teacher.

Lisa writes that with school choice, all the surviving schools in San Francisco have gotten better. (So far five schools have been closed due to under enrollment. Nineteen more are being considered for closing.) As each school has to compete for students, they all have worked harder, and test results show a significant improvement.

I am afraid the school choice program may suffer some set backs in San Francisco. They have a system for figuring out how much money goes with each child. Some children are worth more money. The thought is much harder to teach some children. And this is true. But most government programs grow more complex every year. Just look at the IRS. Right now the process is relative straightforward, but I expect down the road people will good intensions will continue tweaking the process. At some point, maybe five years, maybe twenty years, the power of allowing parents to choose their schools will be diminished.

It is an interesting article. If you are curious about vouchers, it is worth reading.


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