School Vouchers

In response to Andrew Young’s April 29 commentary, “Let Parents Choose Their Kids’ Schools,” I must ask who will provide vouchers to the parents of children who cannot function effectively in a classroom because of specific physical, psychological and sociological problems? Most private schools will not and are not capable of accepting these youths into their programs, which are constructed for well-behaved, achievement-oriented students.

Reinforcing the pillars of private education at the expense of public education will adversely affect not only the disenfranchised population of our youth but the marginal population as well. Young’s myopic vision of public education belies his image as a rational, humane leader in our society, because he shows no compassion for those children who are without advocates for their welfare, parental or otherwise. Rather than slip the advantaged into a privileged school setting, why not tackle the problems of public education head-on so that all students will benefit?

JERRY A. SUNDLY

Long Beach

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Re “Florida to Be First to Launch Statewide School Vouchers,” April 29: OK, everyone repeat after me: “It’s not my fault I’m not educated, it’s the schools’ fault. It’s not my fault I died of lung cancer, it’s the ‘Big Tobacco’ companies’ fault. It’s not my fault I killed someone, it’s the gun makers’ fault.” It’s not my fault, it’s not my fault, it’s not my fault!

In our blameless society does anyone honestly think that vouchers are going to cause people to actually take responsibilily for their education?

KEVAN PATTEN

Tujunga