SOTU: Bush’s ‘Pell Grants for Kids’ Plan Is Vouchers In Disguise

Bush said: “To open the doors of these schools to more children, I ask you to support a new $300 million program called Pell Grants for Kids. We have seen how Pell Grants help low-income college students realize their full potential. Together, we have expanded the size and reach of these grants. Now let’s apply that same spirit to help liberate poor children trapped in failing public schools.”

FACT — PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS PERFORM THE SAME IF NOT BETTER THAN PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MATH: In a comparative analysis, “the average for public schools was significantly higher than the average for private schools for grade 4 mathematics and not significantly different for reading. At grade 8, the average for private schools was significantly higher than the average for public schools in reading but not significantly different for mathematics.” [NCES, 2006]

FACT — PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS PERFORM THE SAME IF NOT BETTER THAN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL STUDENTS: In a 2006 comparative analysis, the average adjusted school mean for Conservative Christian schools “in reading was not significantly different from that of public schools. In mathematics, the average adjusted school mean for Conservative Christian schools was significantly lower than that of public schools.” [NCES, 2006]

FACT — MAJORITY OF AMERICANS OPPOSE RATHER THAN SUPPORT SCHOOL VOUCHERS: Asked in 2006 if they “favor or oppose allowing students and parents to choose a private school to attend at public expense,” 60 percent of Americans opposed vouchers while only 36 percent were in favor. “The average response from the 1998 peak to today has been 57 percent opposed and 40 percent in favor.” [Center for American Progress, 9/15/2006]

FACT — VOUCHERS DO NOT LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT GAINS: A 2002 study, “which examined privately funded voucher programs, found no significant achievement gains for students using vouchers versus students in public schools.” [GAO, 2002]

FACT — VOUCHERS DRAIN MONEY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS: In 2002-2003, “nearly half: the cost of the voucher program in Milwaukee “came as a reduction in funding to the Milwaukee Public Schools.” “In 2001-2002, up to 238 Wisconsin school districts were forced to raise property taxes to make up for funding lost to the vouchers program.” [American Federation of Teachers]