A recent MLT editorial (‘Working’ government,’ Feb. 21) said education vouchers are very popular.

Indeed, when the state offered parents more than $3,700 for completing an EFA registration form, thousands of private-school parents did so. Once registered, parents submit tuition bills that they previously paid themselves to a scholarship organization. It pays with taxpayer money, without state oversight.

Will the EFA program improve students' learning? In most cases, no. Most EFA students attend exactly the same religious schools as before. Even students who switched schools will show no academic improvement. The state is not allowed to assess their progress to see whether EFAs work. State law bars the state from overseeing EFA education providers' content. The state has no control over who is allowed to provide education to EFA students.

EFA schools may refuse students by race, gender, disability or other reason. The state may not audit the EFA program for misspending or embezzlement.

Why sign handouts with no transparency into law? The so-called "Americans for Prosperity" lobbying group mailed tens of thousands of pro-EFA postcards around the state. They even knocked door-to-door to promote the program.

Nevertheless, at the original EFA hearing, over 3,000 voters signed in opposed to vouchers. Only 600 were in favor. Republicans tabled the bill and inserted it into the budget trailer. Then they and the governor stated they had to support the budget. Regardless how unpopular vouchers are.

Gov. Chris Sununu's new budget includes larger EFA handouts for more voters. The move is popular with national evangelical voters he will need for his presidential run. His budget allocates $50 million in state spending for the 2 percent who are EFA students. For the 98 percent of students relying on public education, he allocates $100 million.

Jeanne Dietsch

Peterborough

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