Reviewing the Discussion
"After all these weeks of studying and talking, it's clearer than ever to me that educational choice is a threat to public education."

"Educational choice sounds good to me, but it will never happen. The Supreme Court will say it is unconstitutional."

"At first I was opposed, but now I'm a cautious supporter. No one is sure about all the consequences. I think we should try some experiments and test the results."

"Educational choice won't improve our schools. I think we should explore other proposals for change."

"In principle, I'm in favor of educational choice. For me, it all depends on what the specific bill or referendum says."

What has it been like in your group? Sharp disagreements? Total agreement? Have you stayed with your initial position, or have you changed? Have you made a decision -- tentative or definite -- about educational choice? Is educational choice a promise or a threat?

Your decision is probably a composite of judgments you have made about public and independent schools, values in education, financing education and the Constitution. The pros and cons of some of the important arguments are summarized below. Use this list to refresh your memory about the discussions you have had and the judgments you have made.

Yes
1. Public schools are in severe crisis, and most parents cannot afford to send their children to independent schools.

2. Public policy, including financial allocations, should encourage, not hinder, the right of parents to choose the education they desire for their children.

3. Many parents have no choice but to send their children to public schools that teach values unacceptable to them and their children.

4. Poor parents would be empowered to secure a better education for their children.

5. If parents had wider choice in selecting schools for their children, schools would have to compete for students, and this competition would lead the schools to offer better education.

6. Since states would pay a partial percentage of what they pay for students in public schools, states would have more educational dollars available in the long run.

7. The policy would enable parochial and private schools to serve a larger, more diverse population.

8. Independent schools have demonstrated that a massive government-funded bureaucracy is not required to operate an effective school system.

9. The United States stands alone among modern democratic countries in denying financial support for parents choosing a religious school for their children.

10. A properly written law would be constitutional.

No
1. America's educational system with the present "mix" of public and independent schools serves our nation well; proposals to reform education should not upset this arrangement.

2. Parents have the right to send their children to independent schools, but government is under no obligation to fund that choice.

3. The values of our diverse society are reflected in public schools. Public schools help give unity to this diversity in accordance with the motto, "E pluribus unum."

4. Many poor parents could not afford tuition, even with some government support. The poorest of the poor would be left in the public schools.

5. Academic excellence is not the result of competition; public schools have other options for educational reform.

6. Any educational choice program would take money away from the public school system and divert it to parochial and private schools.

7. Selective enrollment and retention policies of independent schools would force "difficult" children back into public schools.

8. Public control follows public money. Under educational choice, independent schools would be controlled by government bureaucracy.

9. The United States' principles on church and state are good for both religion and government and should not be compromised.

10. Any educational choice law that includes religious schools would be unconstitutional.

For Discussion
1. Which arguments have been most strongly debated in your group? Which are most important for your own stance?

2. What, if anything, have you learned to appreciate in the position that you do not support?

3. At what points, if any, do you remain perplexed, uncertain or tentative in your decision?

Evaluating Legislative Proposals
People who in principle reject educational choice will, of course, oppose any legislative proposal. People who in principle are open to educational choice will need to consider specific proposals in making a final decision.

Not all proposals are the same. One way they differ is in the restrictions they place on participating schools. Proposals with the least restrictions often include these elements:

No school may deny admission on the basis of race or ethnic origin.

All schools must meet basic health and safety standards.

All schools must be able to demonstrate academic outcomes comparable to the public schools in their community. Some proposals contain explicit limitations on the regulations the state may impose.

The most restrictive proposals tend to include all the restrictions included above, plus one or more of the following additional requirements:

All schools must set aside a certain percentage of space for low income students.

All schools must employ only certified teachers.

All schools must provide accurate financial accountability.

In these proposals, per pupil aid varies from 50 percent to 80 percent of the money the public school would spend on the student; it also varies according to the special educational or physical needs of the student using it. Students must meet a financial means test. These proposals may create a phase-in period in which the total cost of the program increases gradually.

Proposals often share three features in order to pass the constitutionality test:

The parents and students, not the state, must make the decision about which school to choose.

The law does not create a financial incentive to attend parochial or private schools.

The law does not create an ongoing state presence in religiously affiliated schools.

People who may favor educational choice under certain conditions can evaluate a specific proposal in terms of the following goals. To what degree does the proposal

1. ensure equal access to quality education for all?

2. enhance parental choice, especially for the poor?

3. allow schools, including religious ones, to maintain their distinctive character?

4. set up mechanisms for monitoring adequate educational standards?

5. safeguard against racial discrimination?

6. provide sufficient resources for public schools to fulfill their unique task?

Christians do, of course, disagree on what constitutes good public policy. As was stated at the outset, there is no one "biblical" or "Christian" position on educational choice. Christians disagree, but they also may, should and can talk together about public policy in the community of faith. The hope is that your experience, in spite of the difficulties you may have encountered, has shown how rewarding this deliberation can be.

For Discussion
1. Which of the provisions in the legislative proposals do you consider the most desirable?

2. If in your state an educational choice proposal is being considered or if a law has been passed, discuss and evaluate the stipulations and requirements of the proposal or law.

3. Do you think that the ELCA, in its corporate advocacy ministry, should take a position on educational choice? If so, should it support or oppose legislation that would allow educational choice?