Kill Senate Bill (SB) 87! Say no to increasing who can receive school vouchers in Georgia.

This bill would broaden the definition of who would be eligible for vouchers from the state of Georgia.  In addition to any student with a disability whose parents are unhappy with their assigned Georgia public school, the bill proposes to increase eligibility to section 504 students, foster care students, military family students, and high risk students.  The bill defines high-risk students as students in a public high school, which has had a graduation rate of less than 60 percent for three consecutive years or in an elementary, or middle school that matriculates to such school.

Why should we voice our opinion about this bill?

-It would take sorely needed funds from public schools in the state of Georgia that are already struggling to provide their students with needed educational resources.  In essence, this program may cause public schools to get worse!

-Private schools do not necessarily do a better job of educating their students, so the assumption that somehow students would get a better education may be erroneous.

-Vouchers could also be redeemed at private religious schools also, which could be considered a violation of division between state and church. 

-The accountability to the public is not the same at private schools thus citizens lose their right to know how their tax dollars are being spent.

-School vouchers would further divide America, continuing a situation of the “haves” and the “have not’s.”  Public schools attempt to unite America.

Please join me in telling our state legislators to kill (SB) Bill 87!