Voucher programs are more direct: Taxpayer funds help provide voucher scholarships for students who meet certain requirements to attend private schools.
Service vouchers might also help overcome the larger market failure in chronic disease management where individuals are myopic with respect to the consumption of preventative services.
Elisabeth Benjamin, in New York, and Jodi Ray, in Florida, offer exactly the same services to people who were previously unable to obtain medical coverage: they help determine voucher amounts, parse available options, and submit applications online, over the phone, or through the mail.
Because not all students would receive help from vouchers, the plan amounts to "education roulette," he said.
But with the help of vouchers and and the faltering reputation of public education the schools are making a comeback.
"There is a real silver lining," said Marc D. Stern, a lawyer for the American Jewish Congress, which promotes separation of church and state and has helped fight voucher programs.
In common with many other councils, it had decided that its new local welfare crisis assistance scheme, introduced in April following the abolition of the national Social Fund, should not offer cash help, only vouchers and in-kind support.
In follow-up interviews and surveys, Mr. Myers said, parents say they cannot afford private schools even with the help of vouchers, or find that private schools do not have enough space for their children.
Send the request to get help returning your voucher.
William Safire ("Vouchers Help Blacks," column, Aug. 31) is correct in asserting that students using vouchers to attend private school see an improvement in both test scores and overall quality of education.
