Charter Schools

Arguments For: Allows individuals or groups with innovative educational ideas to put them into practice without being unduly hampered by local or state bureaucracy. These schools may have unconventional hours, experiment with curricula, specialize in certain types of teaching or design programs tailored to a particular audience or community. Charter schools can introduce the ingredient of a measure of needed competition to the public schools. They may provide for more accountability because schools that work will be rewarded and those that do not will be changed or even closed.

Arguments against: Schools may not be equally available to all students and thereby result in unequal treatment for those not eligible to attend or not selected. Public schools could become "dumping grounds" if the "good" students were to leave and go to charter schools. The drain of funds from the public schools could also present a problem. Transportation issues would arise as well as a reexamination of state athletic association rules and regulations. Choices to attend may not be made on the basis of attending a better school or district but because the school is closer to childcare, it's perceived as easier, more convenient or has better extracurricular activities. Lawsuits could arise due to the fact that the schools would make promise regarding school performance and/or educational offerings that might not materialize. Schools could file for bankruptcy. Other issues include possible discrimination toward students and violation of state of federal laws.

Vouchers

Arguments for: This plan gives parents greater control of their children's schooling. It also provides poorer parents an opportunity for private education. The government's role would be confined to ensuring that schools met minimum standards.

Arguments against: Public schools might become "dumping grounds" for the difficult to educate. Private schools are concerned that vouchers would bring about interesting elements of government control. There could be issues regarding the separation of church and state. Other issues include surrounding desegregation and the eligibility of disabled students and fear of government support for the establishment of an elitist education system when vouchers act as a tuition subsidy for wealthy children but are insufficient to grant poorer children access to elite schools.