If tax $ are to be used, then the schools that accept those $ must allow anyone that can attend the public school to attend the private school.

If that's not acceptable, then those that want to have a school where only the privileged may be allowed/invited/whatever..... can go - but with no public funding.....

re...parents who elect home schooling.... how do they reduce costs?  Everything has to be there in case they come....  And demonized - where does that come from - I didnt say any thing like that.  I cant imagine how a mom and a dad can offer the broad possibilities of a public school - but I guess it's surely parents' choice.

As far as allowing parents to pick the schools of their choice.... we've seen the effects that abandoning the cities for the suburbs has wrought....

Abandoning public schools would move us toward the same end....  Why not stick by the public schools and work to improve them.

Sorry Jim, I cannot see vouchers as anything other than a way to abandon public schools.

And, why should anyone teach in a public school for the salaries currently offered - those that do are truly dedicated.  My wife's best friend ia retiring this year after 35 years as a very talented and very dedicated public school (history) educator. It'll be a real struggle for her in retirement.

Another issue for my wife's friend was the Standards of Learning that politicians implemented - she can only teach the viewpoints the politicians adopted - alternate views or books not in keeping with the political choices are not acceptable.  Teachers must teach the things that are on the SOL..

I think earlier Mark said there's a lot of attention to budgets in public schools and I'm certain he's right.  I think they are underfunded and now they've got the $4 / gallon fuel costs to address along with all the other issues.