Vouchers siphon resources and silence parents at public schools

Despite claims to the contrary, voucher programs negatively impact student learning and siphon critical resources from public schools, said Dr. Josh Cowen, a leading education policy expert, at a panel discussion hosted by Texas AFT late Sunday afternoon at the AFT convention.

The panel, which also included Texas AFT President Zeph Capo and Houston Independent School District parent Jessica Campos and was moderated by Texas Tribune CEO Sonal Shah, agreed that voucher programs are not a solution to learning loss or low test scores. Rather, they are a strong-arm tactic to wrestle democratic voice away from parents and communities. The proof, they said, is in the poor results and financial strain in states that have implemented universal vouchers. Arizona, Florida and Ohio, for example, are now each putting approximately $1 billion of public school funding toward putting kids through private school.

“If you thought budget fights were difficult now,” Cowen said, “wait until next year when $1 billion is already spoken for.”

Difficult budget fights that lead to less funding for public schools are the ultimate goal of voucher programs, Capo said. It’s a critical tool in wresting the democratic voice away from targeted communities.

Passing statewide voucher legislation is a priority for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. In the meantime, the Texas Education Agency has commandeered control of the Houston Independent School District and replaced the elected school board with state-appointed officers, forbidden all communication between parents and teachers, removed wraparound services intended to serve the community and turned libraries into detention centers.

“This is a power grab,” Capo said. “It’s about suppressing democratic voice.”

Cowen also noted that vouchers do not give parents a choice about schools; they give schools a choice about students. Private schools still pick and choose their student body despite receiving public funds. Parental choice, he said, is an illusion.

Campos, who has three children in HISD schools, said that not only has she watched her children’s schools lose resources, but she also was told she couldn’t speak to her daughters’ teachers.

The purpose of vouchers is not to improve schools or serve communities, the panel agreed. The evidence points to an assault on parent participation and the quality of schools that serve as the center of their communities.

[Melanie Boyer]