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Paternalism in letter to the editor

Saw this in today’s letters to the editor at the St. Petersburg Times:

I am not a fan of vouchers to fund private education. If school choice has taught us nothing else, it is that it’s hard for even the most informed parents to make school decisions. What about those who are less informed?

The various voucher programs in the state predominantly serve lower-income families.  So this reader is effectively saying poor people are too ignorant to make proper education decisions for their kids.  We find that more than a bit insulting. 

Perhaps I am cynical, but when I hear of a child who has gone from being a "D" student to an "A" student upon entering a private school, I wonder if it is the child who has improved, or the grade.

Generally speaking, it takes around four years for a student to see solid, measurable improvement upon entering a voucher school.  So yes, perhaps you are cynical. 

Since lawmakers are determined to keep pushing school vouchers, then I suggest they make it the law that all students in Florida, whether they are private, public or home-schooled, must take the FCAT. The results should have to be published as they are for public schools. If the FCAT is our benchmark, this would ensure that all students are meeting the required standard.

As we said recently with respect to testing, the sort of comparisons that you want to see have been taking place for years now through testing in choice schools.  Furthermore, the accountability legislation just passed–which school choice advocates have been fighting for over the last two to three years–now makes such testing mandatory. 

Note to the Palm Beach Post, et al: your misinformation campaign is clearly working.