Although Andrew Rotherham rightly points out flaws in Mitt Romney’s federal voucher plan, he misses the point entirely: far from “puny,” the proposal is intrusive, distortionary and completely unprecedented.
Since his plan would provide federal funding across the board for all types of schools, Romney invites the meddling hands of national regulation into our nation’s classrooms. If the federal government controls tuition assistance, then it must ensure that all these families and schools are deserving of their outlays. Ineffective centralized standards (which, in the recent past, have advocated failed programs like whole-language reading methods and “New Math”) will not be far behind.
Parental choice is a cruicial element in improving our schools. However, as Romney’s plan enhances this one area, it will surely rob our teachers and school administrators of their vital autonomy.
Matt Pawlowski, Lexington, Mass.