Advocates of a “voucher” program, so state tax dollars “follow the student” to a public OR private school, made their case to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. Susan Fenton is a lobbyist for the Iowa Advocates for Choice in Education. She uses the phrase “Educational Savings Accounts” rather than “vouchers” — but it’s the same concept. Parents would get state tax dollars and use that money to send their child to a public OR a private school.
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Fenton spoke during a public hearing on the state budget. Fenton envisions school vouchers being used for expenses beyond school tuition, covering the costs of textbooks, tutoring and even fees for online courses. Audra Meyers of Clive, a former principal at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Des Moines, says it’s time for “robust education choice” in Iowa.
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Critics of school “vouchers” argue sending state tax dollars to private parochial schools is a violation of the separation of church and state