Norquist stresses the goal should be providing students a quality education. It does not matter where. And, as Norquist says, strong schools are the key to attracting residents and businesses to depressed inner cities. It is understandable that teachers would resent the movement of some money to private schools that do not operate under public schools' bureaucratic mandates. Public schools also must accept every student, regardless of how problem-prone.
Private schools can simply kick out difficult kids.
But public schools also have advantages, not the least their dedicated teaching corps. There is no question that public schools, which frequently are far more innovative than their private school counterparts, can compete. And the truth is that most parents and children would prefer to remain in public schools - as long as the schools are doing their job. As we continue to stress, vouchers should not be considered a cure-all or used as a means for lawmakers to escape their obligation to adequately fund public schools. But the issue should be looked at in a broader context.