MNEA, MFT organize statewide bus tour
to oppose vouchers

Missouri NEA members joined with the Missouri Federation of Teachers and School-Related Personnel in organizing the People for Public Schools coalition’s statewide bus tour to speak out against vouchers. Joining the March 21 effort were educators, parents, clergy, civil rights advocates and concerned citizens. The bus stopped for pro-public school rallies in St. Louis, Columbia and Kansas City. The activists spoke out against tuition tax credit “voucher” bills, so-called “charitable scholarships,” and other legislation working against the success of public schools.

Proponents of this disguised voucher initiative make false claims that no money would be taken away from public education. Tax credits create a tax liability for Missouri’s general revenue collection, which means, as more people take a tax deduction—by giving funds to an established charitable fund for student scholarships—less money would be collected in taxes. Less tax revenue means reduced overall state funds. This results in less money available for public schools and public services.

More importantly, private schools are not required to comply with state accreditation standards, nor are they required to justify their spending practices. Private schools have less accountability than public schools and are governed by far fewer standards.

In recent years, advocates of public funding of private and religious schools have argued that “school choice” and the ensuing “competition” between public and private schools will improve public schools and student achievement. The evidence does not support this argument. In contrast, the research clearly indicates that reducing class size or adopting scientifically based reading programs, for example, improves student achievement.