RHMS eighth graders take a closer look at vouchers
by Kathy Dunker
Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) eighth graders in Discovery Language Arts recently took an in-depth look at the educational voucher proposal that is currently being evaluated by the Douglas County School District. The class spent one week looking at both sides of the issue and debating it in class. At the end of the week, the kids wrote Letters to the Editor regarding the issue, and submitted them to the Denver Post.
Six of the students had their letters published in the Sunday Perspective Section. The kids published their own views without parental influence, and many of them received comments from Denver Post readers. Following are a few tidbits from these letters.
Graham Austin wrote, “I feel that the option certificate program, or vouchers, that have been proposed recently in Douglas County is not a good option. This year Douglas County cut $36 million from their budget, and 264 jobs. I feel that the option certificate program is essentially taking away money from the district and putting it in private schools’ pockets. Why do private schools need more money?”
Counterpoints were made by Nicole Jordan with the following, “I want to attend a religious private school next year. Religious schools keep teens focused on kindness, respect, citizenship, morality and academics.” Jordan went on to state, “I agree with the vouchers for the Douglas County School District. I would like to go to Regis next year, but my parents can’t afford to send me. The voucher program would make it possible for kids like me to be able to choose what school they want to go to, private or public.”
And so the debate continues. Vouchers are typically used to assist needy children in underperforming schools. Implementing this in Douglas County would be an unprecedented approach, giving more fortunate students in a high performing school district a choice.
