South Carolina's Voucher Program: A Rocky Road Ahead
South Carolina's new voucher program is off to a rocky start.
The Education Oversight Committee was supposed to release a report on how students using vouchers are doing on tests. But they missed the deadline.
Why the Delay?
The Supreme Court blocked part of the original law, so now parents, not schools, have to send in the data. This has made things messy.
Mixed Reactions
Some people think this delay shows that vouchers are a bad idea. Others say it's just a growing pain.
"New programs always have problems. It takes time to figure out what works and what doesn't."
- Senate Education Chairman Greg Hembree
The Data Dilemma
Even when the reports start coming out, they might not tell us much. Voucher students take different tests than public school students. So we won't know if they're learning what the state wants them to learn.
Expansion Plans
Gov. Henry McMaster and Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver want to expand the program. They want to increase the number of students who can get vouchers. But is this a good idea? We don't have enough data to say for sure.
Alternative Investments
There are other things the state could spend money on. Like Meals on Wheels or special education programs. These things help a lot of people. But lawmakers are focused on expanding vouchers.
Critical Thinking
It's important to think critically about where our tax dollars go. We should make sure we're getting the best value for our money. Right now, it's hard to say if vouchers are worth the investment.
