In Support of Vouchers
We Need School Voucher
Part 3 of 3
May 2, 2007
The Jewish community needs school vouchers for the same reason that so many other communities need them. Namely, public schools do not fulfill our children's needs and private schools are more expensive than we can afford. The surprise is that, in contrast to black or Catholic communities, you hardly ever hear of Jewish leaders fighting for school vouchers. In fact, we can't think of one.
Outside of Haredi communities, a yeshiva education can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $25,000 per year per child. The fees are not tax deductible. At about $7,500 a year, Shalom Torah Academy is a real bargain. A family with three children would “only” need to earn an additional $35,000 a year to cover tuition costs. Sadly, we see in our own community that many families won't, or can't, make that financial commitment.
The high tuition costs have predictable results. Parents opt to have fewer children and are more likely to put them in public school. Even as many orthodox communities thrive, we see intermarriage rates rising and synagogue attendance falling. We constantly hear about the importance of a Jewish education but rarely do we hear of the one thing that can make that education more affordable – school vouchers.
Meanwhile, we're spending upwards of $15,000 per pupil in a public school system that we choose not to use. If 10,000 children in New Jersey were to each receive a $5000 school voucher to attend Hebrew Day Schools, it would only cost the state $50 million (discounting any savings) out of a $30 Billion budget. But, the argument goes, what if everyone should want a $5,000 voucher to attend private school? We should be so lucky. The state would save billions of dollars on reduced education costs and have greater flexibility in holding schools accountable for the results of their students.
Of course, we'll hear opposition from those who believe the state, not parents, should be determining what, where, and how our children learn. So be it. This is a debate worth having. It's time to fight for what's best for our children. They deserve no less.
- editor
|
