Private schools often charge high tuition. Since vouchers usually will not cover the full cost of tuition, the wealthy, who can already afford to pay private school tuition, will benefit the most. Low and middle-income families, who will not be able to afford the difference between the voucher and tuition costs, will be less likely to benefit. Even if poor families could come up with the full tuition amount, few private schools are located in the nation's inner cities or other economically depressed areas. Fewer still are likely to admit children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Public schools remain the only reliable educational resource for all American children.
Private schools would be able to maintain their independence while benefiting from a voucher program. As a general rule, the government regulates what it subsidizes. If the government underwrites private schools financially, it has a right and a responsibility to ensure that the funds are being spent for sound educational services. Greater government scrutiny of private education will be necessary. Vouchers open the door to extensive state regulation of private schools.