The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the relative frequencies with
which editorials written on Proposal 00-1, the school voucher issue, appeared in each
newspaper before and after endorsement. In addition, the study examined the use
interpretive frames based on Thomas Patterson’s (2000) definition of interpretive frames
that includes analyzing, explaining, and evaluating in presenting the voucher issue. The
supportiveness of each newspaper relative to their stance on the issue also was examined.
Supportiveness was categorized as supportive, nonsupportive, neutral, and unclear.
Overview of Proposal 00-1
Ponders (2001) argues that educational systems in the large urban areas, such as
the city of Detroit, must be upgraded to meet evolving educational needs. Others argue
that when public schools fail, students should be afforded opportunities to be educated in
alternative settings, such as charter schools, nonpublic schools, or at home. Because
nonpublic schools are tuition based, vouchers could be a means of allowing students to
have broader choices in educational settings. The concept of vouchers was formally
introduced in Michigan in the form of Proposal 00-1, which was an amendment to the
state Constitution. This proposal would allow students in districts that had graduation
rates below 66% to use tuition vouchers to attend nonpublic schools in 1998-1999.
Another method that school districts could use to approve tuition vouchers was through
school board actions or a public vote. Each voucher would have been limited to half of
the state-average per-pupil public school revenue. The proposal would also require
teacher testing on academic subjects in public schools and in nonpublic schools
redeeming tuition vouchers and adjust minimum per-pupil funding from 1994-1995 to
2000-2001 level. The issue of school vouchers has created controversy and entrenched
positions among public school proponents and proponents of tuition vouchers for
nonpublic education.
Framing
Iyengar (1991) defined the concept of framing as “subtle alterations in the
statement or presentation of judgment and choice problems, and the term ‘framing effect’
Convention