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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA EDUCATION FUND	Nonpartisan Pros & Cons of PROPOSITION 38 SCHOOL VOUCHERS. STATE-FUNDED PRIVATE AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION. PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING.
	Initiative Constitutional Amendment

THE QUESTION

Should the state make yearly payments of $4,000 or more per student in kindergarten through twelfth grade, for use as tuition in private or religious schools?

THE SITUATION

Spending for California public schools is currently limited by Proposition 13, which restricts the amount available from property taxes. Proposition 98, which the voters approved in 1988, raised the limit by guaranteeing a minimum amount for grades K-14. The state does not currently pay for tuition in private schools, except for a very few special-needs children.

THE PROPOSAL

Proposition 38 would authorize annual tuition payments, or vouchers, of $4,000 or more per student in kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) enrolled in private or religious schools, and for those pupils transferring from public schools to private schools.

The voucher payment program would be implemented in yearly stages for students already enrolled in private schools, as follows:
        2001-2002 kindergarten only
        2002-2003 kindergarten through second grade
        2003-2004 kindergarten through eighth grade
        2004-2005 kindergarten through twelfth grade

Additionally, Proposition 38:

• limits and restricts the authority of state and local jurisdictions over private schools in the areas of health, safety, zoning and building code requirements, as well as academic standards

• allows the legislature to replace current public school funding with funding per student at the national average or greater, using a funding calculation defined in the measure

• prohibits participating private schools from discriminating on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, or national origin

• does not prohibit participating schools from restricting admission on the basis of sex, religion, ability, and disability.
  

• Proposition 38 gives parents a real chance to rescue children that are trapped in failing schools.

• Students moving from public schools to private schools will relieve overcrowding in the public schools.
  

• Public funds would go to schools that can reject children based on gender, religion, ability to pay, language, academic ability, or physical ability.

• Funding could be given to private schools that are not accountable to taxpayers -- for teacher credentialing, for curriculum, for building codes or for sound finances.
  

Analysis prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
for the November 7, 2000 Election.