Submitted by C. Payne (not verified) on February 5, 2008 - 15:49.
First, let me say that I have been a teacher for 24 years and have worked in several very diverse schools. I currently work in an alternative school for students with behavioral and/or substance abuse problems. I have two major concerns about government funded choice programs.
First, I am afraid that this type of program will lead to re-segregation of our schools as parents choose to move their children to schools with a more "desirable" population. We already see that to some extent. My district has been greatly impacted by "urban flight" as the middle class parents try to get away from the more transient population in our district. I believe that promotes an unhealthy fear of those who are different.
Second, I have a concern about large portions of our population being educated in schools that select their textbooks based on their alignment to a particular religious belief. Groups that eliminate references to anything that goes against their beliefs fails to prepare students for the real world. I also fear that they promote discrimination against those who do not share their religious beliefs.
Perhaps I shouldn't really worry about these things, but we have enough intolerance in this country without actively funding it by the government.
School Choice Programs
Submitted by C. Payne (not verified) on February 5, 2008 - 15:49.
First, let me say that I have been a teacher for 24 years and have worked in several very diverse schools. I currently work in an alternative school for students with behavioral and/or substance abuse problems. I have two major concerns about government funded choice programs.
First, I am afraid that this type of program will lead to re-segregation of our schools as parents choose to move their children to schools with a more "desirable" population. We already see that to some extent. My district has been greatly impacted by "urban flight" as the middle class parents try to get away from the more transient population in our district. I believe that promotes an unhealthy fear of those who are different.
Second, I have a concern about large portions of our population being educated in schools that select their textbooks based on their alignment to a particular religious belief. Groups that eliminate references to anything that goes against their beliefs fails to prepare students for the real world. I also fear that they promote discrimination against those who do not share their religious beliefs.
Perhaps I shouldn't really worry about these things, but we have enough intolerance in this country without actively funding it by the government.