Though vouchers would help families who have children in private schools, access to private schools wouldn't necessarily be improved. Vouchers won't increase capacity, just the waiting list. And when demand rises, so will the cost of tuition. There's no money in the initiative to build new private schools. They wouldn't spring up like mushrooms after a rain just because a voucher initiative passes.
Land is scarce, particularly in large cities, and start-up costs for new schools are enormous.
With limited spots available in private schools, families wouldn't be choosing schools. Instead, schools would be choosing the families. The other applicant is learning below grade level, has an attitude problem and has two working parents who can't commit to helping at the school. California voters overwhelmingly turned down a voucher plan in 1993. We suggest they do the same on Nov. 7.