Louisiana is embarking on the nation's boldest experiment in privatizing public education, with the state preparing to shift tens of millions in tax dollars out of the public schools to pay private industry, businesses owners and church pastors to educate children.

Starting this fall, thousands of poor and middle-class kids will get vouchers covering the full cost of tuition at more than 120 private schools across Louisiana, including small, Bible-based church schools.

The following year, students of any income will be eligible for mini-vouchers that they can use to pay a range of private-sector vendors for classes and apprenticeships not offered in traditional public schools. The money can go to industry trade groups, businesses, online schools and tutors, among others.

Every time a student receives a voucher of either type, his local public school will lose a chunk of state funding.

I wouldn't have a problem with vouchers if the private schools had to take all kinds of kids, but they don't.

They don't take kids with anything but minor physical disabilities, learning disabilities or behavioral problems.

I know families where the "normal" kids go to private religious school and the disabled siblings, some who need an individual classroom aide, some who need a nurse and all who need very small classes and a lot of individual attention - go to public school.