STATEMENT ON SCHOOL VOUCHERS
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN
Greater Detroit Section

National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) has long been opposed to education voucher programs that transfer public funds from federal, state or local governments to private or parochial schools. We are especially concerned about a voucher plan which targets public schools with poor performance records, defunding the schools that most need additional attention and resources, so we join other supporters of public education to oppose the ballot initiative to change the Michigan Constitution to allow such voucher programs in Michigan.

We share the national concern about the health of our public education system, but feel strongly that vouchers harm rather help public schools by draining essential resources. Further, proponents of vouchers claim that they would ensure families parental choice in education. In reality, it is private school administrators who choose which students to admit or retain. Finally, government funding of religious schools utilizes public funds to subsidize religious instruction in violation of the Constitution's First Amendment principle of religion-state separation.

NCJW believes that support for and improvement of the public school education system must be a priority. This cannot be achieved through education vouchers, which undermine the democratic institution of free public education and endanger the ability of public schools to meet the needs of pupils and to fulfill their mission to provide an education to all children.

NCJW opposes vouchers and supports effective strategies to improve public education.

For further information, contact:
Judy Rosenberg, State Public Affairs Chair

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