Michigan PTA Opposition to Vouchers

The Michigan PTA opposes any voucher plan, tax credit plan or any other plan that would deplete public funds from public education. The Michigan PTA supports All Kids First! in its efforts to oppose the current initiative that would amend the Michigan Constitution allowing vouchers and tuition tax credits.

Proponents claim this voucher program will allow for parental choice. However, schools accepting vouchers do not have to admit every student seeking admission. The choice remains with the school and not the parents. The Michigan PTA believes that while parents have the right to choose non-public schools for their children, public funds should not be used to subsidize that education.

Vouchers are money from all taxpayers not just parents. Private schools are not accountable to the public - no publicly elected school board to oversee the expenditures and educational choices. Consequently, the taxpayers of Michigan would be supporting two school systems - the public school system and the private/parochial school system.

There is no evidence that vouchers will help poor kids or that vouchers have a positive impact on student performance. Parental choice is non-existent as the choice remains with the nonpublic school. There is no accountability to the taxpayers and no restrictions on the type of school that can accept vouchers.

The Michigan PTA stands in opposition of this voucher effort.

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