I have a question about HB215, the voucher (excuse me, the “scholarship” bill) recently rushed through the Legislature. What is to prevent any parent who could use an extra $8,000 per child from removing their child or children from public schools and start home-schooling them for the extra cash?
HB215 does not require certification for teachers. It does not require schools or parents to follow state curriculum. Students are not required to test. They can submit a portfolio of “their” work instead. As a retired teacher, I know that projects which students “complete” at home are often done by the parents — even when cash is not part of the payoff.
With so little accountability built into this program, it appears that Utah may be paying $8,000 a year for some students to receive an inferior education.
Ann Johnson, Salt Lake City
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