Averages Don't Matter
What is the average tuition for private school? One report shows it at $8,000, another closer to $4,000, while others place it somewhere between those endpoints. How do we know the actual average? It doesn't matter!
The simple fact is the only number that matters to the parent and student is the actual tuition that the desired school charges. If a parent decides to send her child to a private school that charges $3,200, the fact that another private school charges $14,000 has no bearing.
It's the same concept with tax reform. Despite the fact that 90% of taxpayers receive a tax cut is meaningless if you happen to be a taxpayer who experiences a tax increase.
So don't worry about the average cost of private school tuition. Leave motivated parents free to individually select those schools that will best help their students and also fit within their personal budget.
Oh yes, please don't mind the hand behind the curtain as voucher supporters try to execute a cheap parlor trick.
And those "motivated" (rich) parents will be the ones that could already afford to send their child to private school but now want our tax dollars to subsidize their decision.
While regular parents that think that vouchers will give them some choice with their educational options will be in for a rude awaking.
But don't let that get in the way of supporting vouchers because they needed to use the hopes and dreams of the rest of these parents to help the rich motivated parents that really deserved vouchers.
WINK,WINK
Posted by: marshall | November 05, 2007 at 05:51 AM
You seem to forget that the "rich" already have choices. The voucher was means-tested to expand choice for the low income. One private school in my district costs $3,750. If you are low income and receive a $3,000 voucher, then you need to come up with $15/week to make up the difference. A very realistic opportunity. The most expensive (nondrug treatment) private school that I am aware of in Utah Co. is about $6,200. Still well below the supposed $8,000 average that the vouchers opponents like to parade about.
Posted by: John Dougall | November 05, 2007 at 07:31 AM
I know several "rich" people who send their kids to private school. (I wish I was among them).
None of them plan on getting their $500 for the vouchers. They say it would be too much of a hassle.
Posted by: Thomas W. Clay | November 05, 2007 at 10:51 AM
A common misunderstanding is that students already attending private schools will receive the voucher. To be eligible for the voucher a student had to be in the public school system as of January 1, 2007. The key exception is if the student's family is considered low income. (See HB148, lines 86-102)
Posted by: John Dougall | November 05, 2007 at 11:30 AM
It's great that some wealthy people say it's too big a hassle to collect their $500. My question is why this bill wasn't limited to low-income in the first place.
Posted by: Voice of Utah | November 05, 2007 at 06:44 PM
I'll remember your post title anytime you cite an "average" statistic. You should read this book. http://www.amazon.com/How-Lie-Statistics-D-Huff/dp/0393310728
Posted by: Davis Didjeridu | November 06, 2007 at 03:36 PM
down with averages! hey, wait, I'm actually *for* the use of mathematical tools to analyze data.
Posted by: Ryan Byrd | November 06, 2007 at 10:49 PM