Inequitable Education

Inequitable Education

There has been a large controversy over the past couple years over the use of what are called vouchers in the school system that would allow struggling students to succeed better in their studies. Many believe that vouchers take money away from public schools, while others believe vouchers give struggling students a fighting chance to succeed.

Controversy

School vouchers involve payments from state or federal funds to parents that would pay tuition for their child to attend schools, such as private, religious or otherwise. According to voucher proponents, these reforms will help schools achieve academic excellence, and offset the cost of tuition, books or other educational expenses. The ability for parents to choose an education path that is best for their children is an exciting opportunity currently revolutionizing public education.

However on the opposing point of view the Anti-Defamation League argues:

Vouchers pose a serious threat to values that are vital to the health of American democracy. These programs subvert the constitutional principle of separation of church and state and threaten to undermine our system of public education. In addition proponents of vouchers are asking Americans to do something contrary to the very ideals upon which this country was founded. Then it goes on to say they would force citizens Christians, Jews, Muslims and Atheists to pay for the religious indoctrination of school children at schools with narrow parochial agendas.(ADL,2001)

Though their claims may well have merit, the (ADL) presented a poor argument, based on several questionable premises and assumptions, and based solely on the evidence the author offers; we cannot accept his argument as valid. The primary issue with the (ADL) reasoning lies in their unsupported evidence.

Indeed, school vouchers will challenge the constitutional mandate of separation of church and state. The (ADL) is using the logos appeal by emphasizing the...