Stossel's mistaken about tax credits

Generally I agree with John Stossel, but he is mistaken about education tax credits -- or scholarships derived from tax credits -- being better than publicly-funded school vouchers (Daily Herald, Nov. 19). Certainly, private schools need to be concerned about possible loss of independence through increased government regulation prompted by vouchers. However, private schools already need to be vigilant regarding their independence, since the 1925 U.S. Supreme Court Pierce decision clearly recognized the power of the state to "reasonably regulate" ALL schools - including the curriculum in private schools - even without vouchers.

The question is whether tax credits can bring about "the more innovative American schooling" that Stossel envisions. I would argue they cannot. While both vouchers and tax credits can rescue children from failing schools, only vouchers can spur those failing schools to improve.

When parents find their assigned public school is failing their child, or is unsafe, an immediate solution is needed. Although tax credits can serve as a school choice lifeline for such parents, they don't prompt the reforms that vouchers do. Since they don't involve public funds, tax credits place very little pressure on the public school system to reform. Also, since tax credit scholarships are limited to only a few thousand dollars at most, they won't attract the entrepreneurs that Stossel recognizes are necessary to improve American schooling.

Publicly-funded vouchers, on the other hand, have the power to effect reform of K-12 public schools because they give parents the ability to direct significant education tax dollars to private schools of their choice. The ensuing competition for students and education funds prompts public school administrators to improve their educational programs in order to attract students. This benefits everyone.

Tax credits will help rescue some students from the alligators, but it is vouchers that will drain the swamp.

George A. Clowes

Senior Fellow The Heartland Institute Chicago