Most professional educators are open but cautious about the change represented by charter schools, but charter school advocates are triumphant. The Pioneer Institute maintains a Charter School Resource Center for Massachusetts. The Center for Educational Reform is also a good source of general information for charter school advocates. One problem that successful charter schools have faced is racial quotas. Vouchers reimburse parents who send their children to private schools.
Vouchers pose a more extensive reform, promoting a private-sector alternative to public schools.
The biggest obstacle to vouchers is the doctrine of separation of church and state, and the fear that vouchers constitute government support for religious schools. The legal issues were address in a recent Cleveland case, and a June Wisconsin Supreme Court decision seemed to allow parents to use vouchers at religious schools. A July 10 report from the National Center for Policy Analysis explains why school vouchers are constitutional, and Robert Alt similarly defends Cleveland's plan. Opposition to vouchers comes from teacher unions like the National Educational Association , and organizations like People for the American Way , who were very alarmed at the recent Milwaukee decision. Groups favoring Separation of Church and State make the case against vouchers on both practical and constitutional grounds.