Proposition 38: The Battle Over School Choice

In California this November, voters will decide whether to approve a statewide voucher program, Proposition 38 on the ballot. The initiative would ultimately provide state-funded vouchers worth at least $4,000 for parents who send a K-12 student to a private school. The proposal to use public funds to send students to the private school of their choice has produced a lively debate.

Publicly funded voucher programs exist in Milwaukee and Cleveland and in the state of Florida. In those locations, vouchers are limited to low-income students or to students in failing schools. In California, eligibility for vouchers would be phased-in over four years, ultimately applying to all students, including those currently attending private schools.

A controversial issue, vouchers have strong supporters and detractors. Typically, supporters of vouchers argue that parental choice and competition between private and public schools will improve education services for all students.

Opponents argue that vouchers take public funding away from public schools and into private and religious institutions. They contend that voucher programs take better students and concerned parents away from already troubled public school systems without offering any solutions to existing problems.

Readers can begin to explore this issue by looking at some public opinion polls. A 2000 Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup poll shows again what previous polls by the organization have shown: the notion that the public is dissatisfied with its public schools is a myth. Respondents continue to indicate a high level of satisfaction with their local schools, a level of satisfaction that this year approaches its all-time high among the parents whose children attend those schools. Seven in 10 public school parents now assign the school their oldest child attends an "A" or a "B," the poll indicates.

In contrast, Portrait of America, an Internet-based polling organization developed by Rasmussen Research found 64 percent of parents with children in private schools rate the education their youngsters are receiving as excellent. But, only 27 percent of parents with children in public systems rate the schools as excellent. As for home school parents, 76 percent say excellent.

Additional polling is available.

Both pro and con Proposition 38 campaigns have official Websites which can be found at 38 Yes—School Vouchers 2000 and No On 38—The Draper Intiative. The California Secretary of State Web site also publishes the Official California Voter Guide which provides independent analysis of Proposition 38.

How successful have publicly-funded voucher programs been in other states? Check analysis of programs in Cleveland, Milwaukee and the state of Florida.

Finally, we have provided links to various Web sites across the political spectrum to help our readers have a better understanding of the voucher issue.

The Los Angeles Educational Partnership hopes that by publishing this Web site it can provide its readers with a wide range of opinion, analysis, and data on Proposition 38, the school voucher initiative, to help them make informed decisions on election day, November 7, 2000.

	Related Links Prop. 38: An Overview: Official California Voter Guide Prop. 38 Yes-School Vouchers 2000 No on Prop. 38- The Draper Initiative WestEd (PDF) EdSource Education Week Public Opinion: What America Thinks About Public Education Public Agenda Portrait of America The Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools (Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup) Education: A Vital Issue in Election 2000 (Gallup) A Look at School Choice Is School Choice Working in America? School Choice: The Debate Continues

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