Vouchers improve big picture

A $500 million increase in education funding is a great start. But Utah is still last in per-pupil funding. We need creative thinking and a big-picture approach to improving education in the state.

Vouchers should be part of that picture. Utah State University found that vouchers would increase per-pupil funding in public school students by more than a billion dollars over 13 years.

That additional funding will help, and so will the choice that the voucher program provides to moms and dads. Giving families a realistic and different option will also increase accountability between public schools and the parents whose children attend.

We've got plenty, probably too much, government regulation and accountability. It's time to match more funding with more involvement and help parents, and that's why we need vouchers.

Emily Cannon

Provo