3 unchanged on vouchers

State school officials returning from an up-close look at the Milwaukee private school voucher program haven't changed their minds on the controversial issue.

State Board of Education member Mark Cluff still supports the idea of government vouchers for parents putting students in private schools. Board chairman Kim Burningham and Associate State Superintendent Christine Kearl still oppose them.

But the trio, whose two-day trip was paid for by Education Excellence Utah, nevertheless recommend how to make a bill, if legislators must weigh one, "less offensive."

"I still will do all I can personally to make sure they do not come," Burningham said. "But I can't conscientiously just stand idly by and let the battle be fought."

At issue is whether to allow public tax dollars to follow children to private schools — a perennial issue on Utah's Capitol Hill. Overwhelmingly, public education officials have opposed the idea. But this year, the State Board of Education backed a law giving private school vouchers to students with disabilities.

Education Excellence Utah last week sent six legislators, two State Board of Education members and an associate state superintendent to see the Milwaukee Choice program in action.

The 15-year-old program gives vouchers to low-income families seeking a private education. Backers say it has raised academic performance — both for voucher students and those staying in public schools.

"We wanted to sort of take the middlemen out of the way and let people see for themselves what's actually been happening there, why parents are taking advantage of school choice, and what effect it's had on the public schools, and how children participating in the program are doing," Education Excellence Utah spokesman Royce Van Tassell said.

Education officials report visiting high-performing schools and talking with policymakers, business leaders and educators who strongly support the program. They also stayed an extra day to get the other side of the story.

Their report, submitted to the State Board of Education last week, noted Utah and Milwaukee are difficult to compare. Utah graduation rates are between 86 and 91 percent, Milwaukee's, 35 to 60 percent. Milwaukee's per-student spending is double Utah's. The Milwaukee voucher program is in one city; Utah proposals are statewide.

While Burningham and Kearl don't support a similar program here, they and Cluff propose recommendations for people who do:

• Offer vouchers only to low-income students, which would be "far more justifiable than if it is also awarded to wealthier citizens."

• Ensure accountability measures for voucher participants comparable to what's required of public schools.