Vouchers are not the solution for Iowa’s schools

School vouchers allow Iowa’s per pupil funds to follow students to private programs. Gov. Kim Reynolds supports vouchers.

Why should Iowans oppose school vouchers?

1. The per pupil funding is a combination of local property taxes and state aid. Public funds should be governed by locally elected officials, not private boards.

2. Approximately 66 percent of Iowa’s schools are struggling with declining enrollment. Iowa needs to strengthen public schools- not divert funds away.

3. In 2017 Stanford Graduate School of Education professor, Martin Carnoy, analyzed 25 years of research on vouchers programs. Carnoy found that vouchers do not significantly improve test scores. Other U.S. studies support these findings.

4. Private schools can refuse enrollment to students, putting at risk or special needs students subject to rejection or little “choice.”

5. Private schools are usually located in affluent, urban areas. Rural Iowans may not have access to private schools within driving distance.

6. Iowa parents already have educational choice through open enrollment, virtual academies, charter schools, and home schooling.

7. There is more to funding a school than the annual per pupil tuition- costs associated with facilities, transportation, lunch programs, etc. Vouchers could lead to more funding demands.

8. Once Iowa enacts voucher legislation it will be impossible to eliminate the program as parents and private schools become dependent on the funding.

Advocating for vouchers without conclusive evidence they will guarantee improved student achievement is a gambling game. I am not willing to gamble on the future of our students.

Kate Baldwin

Norwalk