Education vouchers

[Canopus]

I'm wondering what you think of this idea. Instead of the government financing state schools, they give parents education vouchers equal to the amount it costs to educate a kid at a state school. Parents can then use these education vouchers to pay for education either at a state school, independent school, private tutors, or internet schools.

 

Many parents of AS kids would prefer them to attend SEN schools rather than mainstream schools, but there aren't enough state funded SEN schools around. Private SEN schools are too expensive for most parents if they have to pay out of their own pocket. A voucher system will enable the rapid and easy formation of SEN schools and education networks.

[pearl]

Good idea in principle.

Would you have a list of preferred providers, like SS do with nursing homes?

Or could any ed. establishment accept them, even if they were unregulated?

And would state schools collapse through lack of finance once the stampede to leave them gains momentum?

[Canopus]

Good idea in principle.

Would you have a list of preferred providers, like SS do with nursing homes?

Or could any ed. establishment accept them, even if they were unregulated?

 

There would have to be some system of registration of providers in order for them to turn the vouchers into cash. The question really is what requirement must the education providers meet in order for them to register.

 

And would state schools collapse through lack of finance once the stampede to leave them gains momentum?

 

Several parents in the mainstream HE community have told me there is no future in state schools other than political ideology or childminder services.