Was this a fair trade? I don’t know. I suppose that depends on who ya’ ask. The Moms who fought for vouchers say absolutely. They were not concerned about education rights as they did little, if anything to protect their children. They had more power with the voucher than with special education laws. If the school was inadequate, they would take their money elsewhere.
Other parents said absolutely not. They felt parents should not be forced to make that choice. Furthermore, some parents said that the voucher parents had no right to make that decision for every other parent and had no right to put every child’s education rights on the table to get what they wanted.
When the voucher program began, it was only available to students with disabilities. Then year after year, the legislature tried to expand the voucher program. Every other year they expanded to eligibility criteria. Year after year, universal vouchers were introduced and defeated. Universal vouchers were defeated by the voters twice in general elections.
Eventually, vouchers were available to all students. Not because the voters eventually approved them. Not because they finally successfully went through the standard legislative process. Universal vouchers were added on to a budget reconciliation bill, which was later determined to be prohibited. This was done in so quietly some say it was done in secret. The line item went unnoticed until after the budget was approved. The budget was signed into law by then Governor Ducey (who was pro-voucher).
In the end, the market wins.