How a school voucher system could work

Posted 8/5/14

To the Editor:

As a product of the Warwick public schools, I wish to commend Dr. D’Agostino for his spirited defense of local schools, as quoted in the 7/3 Beacon article (“Concerns over …

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How a school voucher system could work

Posted

To the Editor:

As a product of the Warwick public schools, I wish to commend Dr. D’Agostino for his spirited defense of local schools, as quoted in the 7/3 Beacon article (“Concerns over student loss to private schools”). In the article, Dr. D’Agostino comments: “I challenge any private school to show the performance we do with so many students.” 

I could not agree more, and I’m sure the superintendent would agree with me that, in order to truly showcase the quality of Warwick’s public schools, especially at the secondary level, and put our money behind the “challenge,” a limited voucher plan should be seriously considered. 

For our purposes, let us commence the plan with only high school students. Under such a plan, the city would grant a voucher worth, say, one-third of the annual per pupil cost in the city to be used at whatever private, public, or parochial school the recipient desired. In the 2014-15 academic year, that voucher would be worth about $6,000. If the recipient chose to remain at their local public high school, the voucher would be meaningless. However, if parents chose to apply the voucher at, say, LaSalle Academy (tuition: $14,500 plus books and fees) they would still need to come up with the difference, i.e. $8,500. If tuition were $5,000 and the voucher worth $6,000, the city would retain the difference. 

The advantages to such a plan are numerous. First, high-income families do not worry about the cost of tuitions, while low-income families receive considerable financial aid at various private and parochial schools. But a voucher plan would assist middle class families tremendously by bridging that difficult financial gap. Second, parents (72 percent of whom are also Warwick property taxpayers) would be allowed to choose the most appropriate educational setting for their son or daughter, instead of being at the mercy of their geographic residence.  Third, such a plan would force public schools to enhance the quality of their product for fear of losing additional students, thereby benefiting all public school students. Fourth, the Warwick public schools would benefit financially because they would likely have fewer students to educate. Every student that applies the voucher at a non-public school saves the city a net $12,000. Put simply, the money follows the student. Fifth, and perhaps most importantly, a voucher plan would sever the archaic and monopolistic link between the city serving as tax collector while simultaneously serving as the sole recipient when those tax dollars are distributed. The public’s children would continue to be educated using the public’s (i.e. tax) dollars. The physical locale of that education, however, could be altered. 

Think of it this way: There are no restrictions on where Pell Grants, U.S. Department of Education grants, Stafford loans, or other forms of taxpayer-funded, post-secondary assistance may be applied; be they private or public universities. 

Warwick could be in the forefront in applying the same tried and true practices to secondary education.

Again, I applaud Dr. D’Agostino and hope that he will take the next step in his stated challenge by endorsing a plan that most appropriately meets the needs of all Warwick’s high school students.

 

Thomas G. Harkins

Warwick

Comments

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  • JohnStark

    The only way for Warwick's public schools to acquire any sense of accountability is through market forces. Otherwise, there is no incentive to change. A voucher plan (i.e. competition) would do that. I'm in, as are many friends and neighbors. It's time to put the educational aspirations of individual students ahead of beaurocratic inertia.

    Wednesday, August 6, 2014 Report this

  • patientman

    Great letter

    Thursday, August 7, 2014 Report this

  • sadforspeced

    Remember, D'Agostino says his words with no substance or ability to act behind them. He has no leadership qualities to follow up on anything he says. Just watch where all this goes as he tries to pass the buck to others and sits back. Yes, he's a cheerleader but cannot play in the game except as a figurehead, temporary superintendent.

    This is an excellent letter, and in the hands of a better leader the concept could work and be an asset to students and families. But, let's just watch and see how he follows through. But if nothing happens he will blame others.

    Thursday, August 7, 2014 Report this