Utahns are still split over vouchers

The public — like the Legislature — is split on whether government vouchers are a good idea to help parents cover private school tuition.

A Dan Jones & Associates survey found 48 percent of Utah residents polled somewhat or strongly support a government voucher or tax credit to use for private school tuition. Forty-six percent oppose them, and 5 percent don't know. The Jan. 2-4 poll of 400 Utah adults, conducted for the Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV, has a 5 percent margin of error.

This is the first time the scales have tipped toward voucher support on Dan Jones surveys commissioned by the news organizations.

"I think it's great news," said Nancy Pomeroy, spokeswoman for Parents for Choice in Education, a group that has long lobbied for vouchers, charter schools and other school-choice measures. "I think it bears out what we've (said) all along: Parents want choice, they want what's best for their children, and they know what's best."

In December 2005, 40 percent of Utahns polled said they would definitely or probably favor the concept, 54 percent said they would probably or definitely oppose it, and 7 percent didn't know. Past years put support between 36 percent to 44 percent of those surveyed.

Rep. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, is preparing a voucher bill with input from other House and Senate leaders. He believes this is the year it will pass.

"I think the dialogue has been evolving," Urquhart said Wednesday. "It's much easier to rally around the status quo than it is to change. I think our constituents are realizing this could really help some families and some individuals and that a lot of the rhetoric about harm it might do to public education is overblown."

Urquhart's bill is still in the works and as yet shielded from public purview. But he told the Deseret Morning News that it will look a lot like the bill Rep. Brad Dee, R-Washington Terrace, carried last session.

Urquhart's bill could give vouchers ranging from 20 to 65 percent of Utah's average public-school per-student spending — around $5,000 per student — and be scaled to benefit poorer families the most, he said. Based on those numbers, the voucher would range from about $1,000 to $3,250. It also would rise as state school spending does. The top wage bracket allowed to take the voucher would be $100,000.

Dee's bill made those switching from public to private schools, those new to the state, or those who are low-income and currently in private schools eligible for a voucher. Recipients would have to take a national standardized test and report results to anyone who asks. And participating private schools would have to meet rules including having teachers with at least four-year degrees and meet anti-discrimination laws.