This article discusses the recent politics of public proposals to aid private schools through tuition tax credits or education vouchers. Analysis of voter opinion polls, voter behavior, fizzled initiatives, and attempted federal voucher experiment indicates only changes in the political landscape will bring success to such measures. (BS)

An examination of the issues in the debate over federal tuition tax credits for private elementary and secondary education involves the context of the debate, pros and cons, costs, beneficiaries, legal questions, and the public interest. Proponents of tuition tax credits object to paying both school taxes and private tuition; they wish to deduct…

The education voucher idea is reviewed and comparisons are made among three existing plans. The basic idea is that the government issues a voucher of monetary value directly to families to pay for education. Existing proposals include the California Coons/Sugarman plan from the 1970's, the Friedman plan, and the Jencks proposal. These plans vary…