But things didn't turn out that way. Many poor children did choose to attend private schools. But public schools, rather than deteriorating, became stronger, more effective. Milwaukee's inner-city public schools are far better than before vouchers, and student test scores are improving. Norquist credits the competition that resulted from vouchers.
Schools have to compete for our children every day, all year.
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.