An anti-voucher editorial in the News & Observer makes the following argument:

It is ironic that as Wake County seeks a new superintendent for a stellar public system that’s delivering a quality education to 150,000 students, there are those in the legislature who would undermine that effort by steering needed resources away from public education. The voucher movement may be gaining momentum, but it’s as misguided as ever.

The N&O editors and I may have different standards of quality, but let’s examine the claim that the Wake County Schools delivers a quality education to 150,000 students.  Last year in Wake County, 2,106 students did not graduate on time, 17,779 test scores in grades 3-8 did not meet the state’s proficiency standard in math and English, and 4,874 test scores did not meet grade level on end-of-course (high school) tests.

Does this mean that the Wake County Schools is not a good school district?  Absolutely not.  I believe that the Wake County Schools serves the majority of its students well.  But that does not mean that the schools in the district are capable of providing a “quality education” to all 150,000 students. There will always be a cohort of students that – for reasons often beyond the control of the teacher, school, or district – do not respond to instruction offered in a public school.  That’s where vouchers play a role.  Vouchers are designed to provide resources to a small percentage of families who have children who struggle in the public system.

But that’s just me.  I do not buy into the N&O’s illusion that Wake County’s public schools are infallible.  I buy into reality.