Letter: Some questions for voucher supporters

Before I make up my mind about proposed voucher systems for education, I would like proponents to explain to me how some problems I perceive would be resolved. A few of the questions that come to mind are:

1. How would intended or de facto resegregation be prevented? It seems to me that in a short time schools would be sharply divided along religious, ethnic, socioeconomic and/or academic performance lines. Such segregation would result from school emphasis, parental preference, and/or student self-selection. Would this be in the best interest of education?

2. If socioeconomic segregation is to be prevented by allowing students to go to the school of their choice, would travel subsidies be provided for those for whom such expenses would be a burden? I have heard it said that the voucher system would be similar to the GI Bill benefits following WW II. This cannot be so because only a selected few received such benefits, not everyone. But even if it were similar to GI benefits, they did not provide a level playing field. Otherwise, I would have gone to Harvard rather than East Los Angeles Junior College.

3. Who would make the decision as to which school the student would attend? The parents? The student? Peers? And based on what? Athletic programs? Popularity of teachers? Attractiveness of girls? Stiffness of standards? Or would schools become involved in competitive advertising?

4. What will be the basis for selecting students by schools that require more applicants than facilities permit? Would they build more facilities while those with temporarily fewer applications allow their facilities to remain unused? And if there is a period change in student preference, then what?

5. What safeguards will be initiated to prevent every crackpot guru or cult leader from demanding voucher monies for his or her flock?

6. I guess what concerns me most is the likelihood that schools, administrators and education in general will develop a body-count mentality. If schools and jobs are dependent upon student numbers, then teachers will be enjoined to do whatever is necessary to get and hold students. This is usually done at the expense of true education.

A few years ago, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported a study that showed that where anonymous student evaluations of teachers were instituted, there was a dramatic drop in educational quality. Also, I might add, a sudden spurting of grade inflation. I do not see how giving parents and students the economic leverage of the voucher will do anything other than prostitute the system.

If parents want to improve the product of public schools, it seems to me that the first thing to do is to send students to school with a positive attitude toward teachers, schools and the benefits of learning and not provide them with a built-in excuse for not even trying. Learning cannot be imposed on unwilling students.

If the voucher supporters believe for one minute that a high percentage of students armed with vouchers will seek out the most demanding schools in order to get a diploma that is equal to a diploma from any other school, they are living in a dream world.

With all due respect to the free-enterprise buff who mistakenly apply a simple-minded business metaphor to education, I do not believe vouchers will produce Neiman Marcus-type schools but rather an institution more resembling a brothel.

Everyone realizes that education is in need of change; however, I do not believe a voucher system is the answer.

ROY L. ASKINS

Fallon