re: #168 HappyWarrior

I have a big problem with vouchers for several reasons- A) I think we should be prioritizing building strong public schools, B) I hate the idea of taxpayer money going to private schools whether they be religious based or not, and C) I think private schools neglect children with disabilities- learning and physical.

It’s not exactly neglect. Private schools are under no legal obligation to accept disabled students, or students with behavioral/emotional problems, and most do not have/cannot afford the specialists on staff to deal with such students. Charter schools, which inhabit a murky zone betwixt public and private, can also screen out those students by using some murky qualifications: “we don’t think your child would be a good fit for our school” or some such BS.

OTOH, having spent more than 20 years teaching in a private high school, I can say most decent schools do not neglect their students if the kids are enrolled. I know we had to encourage parents to get their kids assessed for learning disabilities and on occasion substance abuse, but the intent was to keep the student, not kick him/her out.