Letters to the Editor: Palm Beach Post
Monday, November 3, 2003
Vouchers Good Side
It seems that daily, I read at least one article or letter from someone opposing
the voucher system, but there are positive aspects as well.
Yes, the money spent on vouchers takes away from the public school system, but
not every child benefits from the public school system. My son is one of those
children receiving a voucher, and it's the best thing that could have happened
to him.
Last year, I inquired about keeping him back in the second grade because his
reading was not at grade level and his grades were horrible but was told he
would be promoted because when he failed the FCAT, he would be held back anyway,
so they wanted to pass him knowing he was going to fail. Last year, he hated
school, cried every morning, and I was getting calls almost daily from his
teacher regarding what they called behavior problems. It actually was just that
he needed a little extra attention that the teacher had no time to give because
she had 25 pupils -- and this was when there was an assistant in the classroom.
I was terrified knowing that this year, my son would get even less attention. My
husband and I both knew private school would be best for my son, but there was
no way to afford it. Imagine my happiness, then, when I received the letter
stating that he qualified for a McKay scholarship.
My son is now in a class with seven students. He is reading at grade level and
excelling in his other courses. He loves school; his self-esteem is higher than
it ever was in public school. This school knows every student learns differently
and has the time to teach each child in the best way for that child to learn.
And no, he doesn't have to take the FCAT, which means he is learning more than
just what's on that test. I wish every child had the opportunity my son has, but
I'm not going to compromise his education because they don't, and I refuse to
apologize to anyone for it.
KIMBERLY YUNCK
Loxahatchee