Vouchers

As the debate over the constitutionality and feasibility of state and federally funded voucher programs continues, it has become clearly evident that the large urban school systems in which vouchers are most likely to have the greatest impact are only getting progressively worse. In light of this continual regression, the siren call of vouchers for use in urban school districts is becoming increasingly harder to outright reject, and has in many cases been bolstered by knew evidence showing promising results in urban schools. The findings in my research would indicate that this trend toward utilizing vouchers specifically for inner city schools stands the best chance over time of equaling the academic playing field. Furthermore, as seen through a Christian view of education, equality, and justice, the demand from the Christian community should be that whatever forces are necessary be implemented to right the wrongs of school inequalities. In the case of urban schools, I believe vouchers show the most promise as the necessary corrective measure. As of recently, much of the information and research regarding how voucher programs would affect urban school districts has been shrouded in the hyperbole and rhetoric of both the liberal union backed views, and the more radical free market conservative views such as those espoused by Milton Friedman. In truth, I believe there is ample room in the middle to find compromise on just how to make vouchers feasible for economically disadvantaged children. The recent results of numerous studies based on vouchers programs conducted in inner city school districts would tend to bear this notion out. However, there is more to the issue than simply deciding that vouchers are a good and positive step in the right direction. There is a need to understand why the inner city schools are faced with the problems they now have and what the reasons are for these problems. One of the strongest arguments for vouchers and against the