How exactly does the voucher system work?

[Anonymous]

Thx!

[Anonymous]

I believe you have to have below a certain household income and your local school has to be abysmal in order to qualify. There are only a relatively small number of vouchers awareded, and the amount is pretty small, basically a fraction of what would be needed to cover tuition at one of the highly regarded private shools. Most of the voucher recipients end up using them at small parochial or other lesser known schools.

[Anonymous]

Yep, the recipient has to either make up the rest from other sources or attend a school that is willing to take the relatively small amount of the voucher. Last I heard I thought it was $7,000 but I could be remembering wrong.

[Anonymous]

Actually, it was to my understanding that vouchers are not awarded based on income. It is just a flat amount, despite how in/secure your family is financially. I also believe that the vouchers are for 3k a semester which sorta leaves them to be a dollar short and a day late for most families (at least in DC).

Now, vouchers for homeschooling moms would be a great idea (hey, if the voucher money can go to private/religious schools, why not to homeschooling parents and all the needed materials...that cost money too - maybe not 3K worth, but still...!). Just my 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

Now that you mention it, that's just crazy enough to work. Think about it. A qualified homeschool is basically a mini charter school, right? If the idea of all this endless reform is to level the playing field for access to quality education, then why not let parents choose if the voucher goes to Staples or St. Albans? Interesting thought. Makes more sense than paying teens to attend class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, it was to my understanding that vouchers are not awarded based on income. It is just a flat amount, despite how in/secure your family is financially. I also believe that the vouchers are for 3k a semester which sorta leaves them to be a dollar short and a day late for most families (at least in DC).

Now, vouchers for homeschooling moms would be a great idea (hey, if the voucher money can go to private/religious schools, why not to homeschooling parents and all the needed materials...that cost money too - maybe not 3K worth, but still...!). Just my 2 cents.

You can only get a voucher if you're below a certain income.