Legislators and vouchers

Regarding “School districts feeling Austin’s pinch,” (Page A1, Saturday), I was shocked to read this comment on school funding by Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who champions special education vouchers: “When people realize that money’s not coming, they may be willing to put up with a small number of parents having the opportunity to choose for their child.” Does this not sound like extortion? In effect, he is saying that this special session will put a chokehold on money for the education of all our state’s children until his side gets the vouchers they want?

Those familiar with the educational services provided in both public and private settings, understand that vouchers, or their euphemism “education savings accounts,” are not an answer for the state’s special needs children.

First, the vast majority of private schools will not accept these children BECAUSE of their special needs. This is not discriminatory on the part of private schools, but borne of necessity. Unless created for the purpose of serving special needs children, these private schools are unequipped to meet their needs. The teacher-to-pupil ratio necessary to serve special needs students makes it nearly impossible to support in the usual private setting. Public schools MUST meet the needs of these children as mandated by federal law.

Second, although Houston has some excellent private schools created for special needs children, tuition rates can range up to $45,000 and beyond. The state’s educational allotment of little more than $5,000 per child doesn’t come close to meeting this. Thus, even if created for special needs, private schools are not an option for the average family.

Consequently, this call for vouchers for special needs is nothing but the toehold in the door that some legislators are attempting to use to get the expansion of vouchers approved in Texas.