1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the implementation and expansion of school vouchers in our education system. As a mother and a wife to a teacher, I believe that vouchers are detrimental to the public education system and ultimately harm the students they are intended to help. Firstly, vouchers divert much-needed funds away from public schools, which serve the majority of our students, towards private institutions. This redirection of resources exacerbates the challenges faced by public schools, including overcrowded classrooms, insufficient materials, and underpaid teachers. Instead of improving the quality of education for all students, vouchers create an uneven playing field where only a select few benefit. Secondly, vouchers often lack accountability and transparency. Private schools receiving voucher funds are not held to the same standards of oversight as public schools. This can lead to discrepancies in educational quality and outcomes, with some students receiving a subpar education without the means to address these deficiencies. Furthermore, vouchers can contribute to increased segregation within our education system. They often enable more affluent families to supplement the voucher amount and send their children to exclusive private schools, while less privileged students remain in underfunded public schools. This division undermines the principle of equal opportunity in education and perpetuates social and economic inequalities. Instead of investing in vouchers, we should focus on strengthening our public education system. This includes increasing funding, supporting teacher development, and ensuring that all schools have the resources they need to provide a high-quality education to every student, regardless of their background. I urge you to reconsider any support for voucher programs and to prioritize policies that enhance and support our public schools. By doing so, we can ensure that every child has access to the education they deserve and build a stronger, more equitable society. As of now you do not have my vote. This issue is incredibly important to me and will be reflected on my ballot this coming election.