Q: What would the proposal do?
A: The Kids First Yes!! proposal would change the Michigan Constitution to eliminate the prohibition against aid to private and religious schools. It would mandate vouchers in a few districts with low graduation rates and make it possible for vouchers and tuition tax credits to be applied toward the education of private and religious school students anywhere in the state.

Q: Isn't it just focused on a handful of schools?
A: No. It would mandate vouchers in schools that fail to graduate more than two-thirds of their high school students - presently, 12 districts across the state. It would also allow voters in any community to put a proposal on their local school district ballot to provide vouchers in that district. It would also eliminate the state constitutional prohibition against indirect aid to private and religious schools, making it possible for the Legislature to extend vouchers or tax credits statewide.

Q: Shouldn't we help children in failing school districts?
A: Yes. We can do that by lowering class size, improving staff development, increasing parental involvement, investing in technology and improving the physical structure of our schools. We should invest money in the things we know will work rather than focusing on the desires of a few families while sacrificing many more remaining in public schools.

Q: Don't families deserve a choice of better schools if public schools are failing their children?
A: Michigan families do have school choice. Since Gov. Engler has been in office, Michigan has adopted schools of choice laws that allow children to attend schools in other communities and even other counties. In addition, Michigan has one of the fastest-growing charter school movements in the nation, which provides additional options for families and their children.

Q: Are we just protecting schools that aren't doing a very good job?
A: No. We do not intend to protect bad schools and bad teachers. We do need to recognize the challenges the children who attend these schools face, and the challenges for their teachers. Most of the children in these "failing" schools come from families in need of housing, employment and other assistance to lend stability to their lives. Their problems extend far beyond the schoolhouse door.

Q: Some say All Kids First is more concerned with saving public education than it is with providing education for children.
A: Our public education system has made the United State the envy of the world. Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy, and an educated populace is necessary to sustain a democracy. It is the institution designed to create one nation with shared values out of many different ethnic, racial and religious groups. Public schools are open to every child, regardless of race, religion, ethnic background or academic and physical ability.

Q: Won't competition make schools better?
A: Competition alone does not improve schools. Schools are improved by lowering class size, improving staff development, providing appropriate technology, curricular support and a physical environment conducive to learning.

Q: Why does All Kids First contend the voucher proposal will affect more than the small number of school districts identified in Kids First Yes!! literature?
A: The Kids First Yes!! proposal mandates vouchers in communities where public schools fail to meet certain standards. But it also provides for voters in any community to seek vouchers for their children. People who gather petitions totaling only 10 percent of the voters in the most recent school board election can place the voucher issue on an upcoming election ballot. Only 529 petition signatures would be required to put the voucher issue on the ballot in the city of Grand Rapids, home to the second-largest school district in the state. In a smaller district, such as Clawson it would require only 5 signatures.

Q: Why do you include tax credits in your discussion? Isn't this a voucher proposal?
A: Tuition tax credit supporters have already said that if the prohibition on indirect aid is removed from the constitution, they will immediately seek legislative approval of tax credits for all private and religious school education.

Q: How will vouchers work?
A: Nobody knows for sure. The ballot proposal doesn't spell out the process and it is unclear which state department will be empowered to spell out the details. One thing is certain: If the proposal passes, a new and large bureaucracy will be required to oversee the administration of this program.

Q: Is the voucher proposal constitutional?
A: Since 85 percent of the private schools in our state are run by religious institutions, it is inevitable that public tax dollars will be used for religious education if this proposal passes. A part of the mission of every religious school is to further the religious beliefs of its parent church. This violates the U.S. Constitution and the principle of separation of church and state. Allowing indirect funding by passing money through the hands of parents may be less obvious, but it still violates the constitution.