Voucher supporters use phrases like "opportunity scholarships" and "parental choice" to discuss their proposals. They argue that voucher programs give low?income children access to private schools otherwise available only to the affluent. But stripped of these phrases, voucher programs basically transfer funds from the public schools to pay for private school education for a small minority of students. Voucher programs are criticized on legal and equity grounds.

NO EVIDENCE THAT VOUCHERS IMPROVE LEARNING. Several states have implemented voucher programs, but none has produced evidence that vouchers improve learning. As a Texas senator noted, "Nobody's explained to me how you take money from public education and make it better."

PARENTS WON'T HAVE A REAL CHOICE. MSTA has opposed legislation to create voucher programs, not just because it shifts funds away from public education, but because private and religious schools that would receive the funds are not subject to state scrutiny and accountability. And the final "choice" over who attends those schools lies not with the parents, but with the schools themselves.

VOUCHERS DRAIN FINANCIAL RESOURCES. Tax dollars are scarce and precious. Using them to build strong and innovative public schools that are open to every student is the best way to guarantee an opportunity to learn for every Maryland boy and girl.

A message from the Maryland State Teachers Association.