California and Michigan will vote next Tuesday on two very different school voucher schemes.
Opponents say both plans carry risks.
That scandalous fact leaves us reluctant to dismiss out of hand those states that seek to give such students more options. Voucher plans come in many forms, but in essence they call for the government to fund K-12 education not only through public school systems but also through parents, who may choose a public or private school of their liking. Some of these risks can be mitigated. Vouchers would drain money from public schools only as fast as they drain pupils. Students with special needs can be given vouchers of greater value.