Vouchers and the Presidential Debate

Vouchers became a point of contention in the 2008 presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain when both claimed to know what D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee felt about the issue. While Obama claimed that Rhee did not support vouchers, McCain said she did. It turns out that McCain was right. Rhee does not actively oppose the voucher system and has said that, "I would never, as long as I am in this role, do anything to limit another parent's ability to make a choice for their child. Ever." The argument over vouchers continues across America with one side arguing that it provides parents choices to remove their students from "failing" or "low-performing" schools while others claim it is just the government giving up on public education. Obviously, this charged discussion will continue for many years to come.

More about the arguments for and against vouchers.