We know through the widely popular and accepted works of Harvard professor, Howard Gardner, that each individual is wired differently. We all excel in some areas, while we are challenged in others. (see Edutopia April/May 2009 issue.) As such, the education community should be open to the idea that not every school is appropriate for every learner. By allowing a choice for all students, not just students in a "failing system," but also students who are not being served by the "passing" school that they attend, we give each student the opportunity to pursue the environment and education philosophy that best allows them to learn. When each student is given the best opportunity for them, then we have achieved equality to education.
It's the entrenched unions and their derivative ossified schools that are disposable, and they know it; that's why they fight competition so viciously. It is noted that anti parental-choice advocates have zero tolerance for less than perfect voucher/charter school results but insist that parents and society support failing and dangerous gov't schools with ever greater fundings forever.
Options: 1. Send a poor Black child to a violent, academically inferior
Washington, DC, (Government)K-12, Public School for $15,000/child/year using
taxpayer funded vouchers.
2. Send that same poor Black child to a nurturing, academically
superior,DC area, Private or Parochial School for less than $7500/year/child
using taxpayer funded vouchers.
To which school would the supporters of Government Schools send that poor, Black
child? Of course! To the violent, academically inferior Government DC Public
School which rewards failure for premium prices.
And why? 1. Traditionally, Democrats despise Blacks and have opposed quality
education for Blacks since before the Civil War. It's an honored tradition
of the Democrats.
2. Maybe the person is not a Democrat; but, they have a business interest
in failing kids. As one White, Southern, Atlanta Chamber of Commerce member
told me:
"We support Board of Education members who oppose quality education (for Blacks).
Chamber members win by building new Atlanta Public Schools,
Chamber members win by renovating older Atlanta Public Schools,
AND,
Chambers members win by building prisons and jails to house the drop-outs and
poorly educated (Black) graduates of the Atlanta Public Schools System.
3. Maybe, the person who opposes Education Vouchers just hates Blacks.
4. While Prez Obama is Black/White, he's a Democrat. And as a loyal Democrat,
he voted against quality schools for DC's kids. Elenor Holmes Norton and
every member of the Black Congressional Caucus voted against quality education
for DC's Black kids.
5. Maybe the voucher opponent just hates kids---especially Black kids.
I know there are many more reasons---most loathsome or at best---Brain Dead.
Sincerely,
Bill Bryan
PO Box 3683
Peachtree City, GA 30269-7683
404-824-4120
It was remarked here that school choice is bad for the poor/minorities. The ironic thing is that those are the ones most asking for it. Blacks and inner city folk are expected to vote for the Democratic party and most of them do. But inner city blacks in particular have been most vocal in asking for choice. Unfortunately for the poor, the Republicans have not been nimble enough to exploit this. Consider that 10% of the delegates to the Democratic convention are teachers; they are not likely to cede school choice power anytime soon.
Also, the comparison is made to private business which allows failure and bankruptcy. This is said to be a bad thing for poor kids. Not! We don't want the KIDS to be allowed to fail. We want the SCHOOLS to be allowed to fail! Then another may take its place.
Finally, you owe us voucher people something important. California was denied charter schools until the 1993 voucher initiative Prop 174. Although it was a wonderful initiative, allowing (gulp) parents to decide, it was creamed at the polls. 2 to 1. But, the Legislature panicked and allowed 100 charter schools statewide, something the CTA had opposed. Well, of course, the camel's nose working the way it does, we now have relative freedom to create charter schools. Thank the few, brave voucher-istas!
I believe I have a solution to the question of school choice. The answer is not school choice, but school tax spending choice.
Solution:
All residents of a school district pay a local school tax, whether it be as a property owner or as a rentor. All children of school-age are required, by state law, to attend school. While a child is of school-age the parent/guardian of the child should be permitted to spend an amount equal to, or lesser than, the local school tax he or she actually pays to the local public school, for a non-public school education of his or her choice. If the cost of the non-public school education is less than the per-pupil cost of the local public school then the extra monies would go toward to the local public school.
If a parent/guardian is a rentor, not a property owner, the amount of the monthly rent that is designated for school tax can be used for the plan above.
Before or after a child is of school-age the parent/guardian of the child will pay the school tax as required by law and the monies will go to the local public school.
This is not a voucher plan. It does not discriminate. It is a fair and equitable solution for all parties. As long as the school in which a child is enrolled has been accredited by the state then there can be no reason why this plan is not an acceptable solution for all. I believe this plan will withstand a constitutional challenge.
No, I do not believe public money should go to private schools. This is detrimental to public education, and will only further delineate the differences between the "haves" and "have nots" by draining funds from public schools causing even further declines. Enough funding with accountability, is the answer for public school education , not punishing public schools with extreme needs.
The workplace analogy is never a fair one when made regarding public education. In the business world defective materials are destroyed or recycled, and those with less quality are just rejected. As a public educator, I'm proud that we serve all students and don't view the poor or poorly equipped as disposable. The poorest and poorly equipped are those most devasted by vouchers.
I am afraid you do not know much about Christian education. I have been in elementary Christian education for 35 years. We sent all three of our sons to Christian schools and Christian college. They are doing very well. They are well adjusted, have good jobs in the secular world and have great values. What is wrong in sheltering our children from sin and things in the world that they do not need to be exposed to? I know dynamite is dangerous and I don't have to be exposed to it to realize that. I think people need to have choices. This is America the land of choice. Why should people have to keep putting their children in a system that is failing? Public schools spend lots of money on education and the results are poor. We need to get back to the basics of teaching children, teaching them values and teach them to work hard. I paid taxes for public school and tuition so my own children could have a great education. Is that fair? Many parents are doing this. Many parents sacrifice so the children can have a Christian education. Now we don't only have to worry about the education but we have to worry about children's safety as well. I do not want to send my children or grandchildren to a battlefield everyday. I want them in a place that is safe as it can be. As far as intolerance goes, I don't think that is as important as teaching children Christian values. If they truly learn this they will learn to love others and have tolerance for others like Jesus does. I am not willing to sacrifice my children and grandchildren for the sake of tolerance.
Thank you
Wanda McClintock
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.
Comments (27)
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Equality in education does not mean the same for everyone
We know through the widely popular and accepted works of Harvard professor, Howard Gardner, that each individual is wired differently. We all excel in some areas, while we are challenged in others. (see Edutopia April/May 2009 issue.) As such, the education community should be open to the idea that not every school is appropriate for every learner. By allowing a choice for all students, not just students in a "failing system," but also students who are not being served by the "passing" school that they attend, we give each student the opportunity to pursue the environment and education philosophy that best allows them to learn. When each student is given the best opportunity for them, then we have achieved equality to education.
Then you think that people
Then you think that people who own property but do not have kids should not have to pay school tax? Wow! How's that lost money going to replaced?
It's not the kids who are disposable
It's the entrenched unions and their derivative ossified schools that are disposable, and they know it; that's why they fight competition so viciously. It is noted that anti parental-choice advocates have zero tolerance for less than perfect voucher/charter school results but insist that parents and society support failing and dangerous gov't schools with ever greater fundings forever.
William Moser, DC
Oceano, CA
wcm@digitalputty.com
School Choice/Vouchers Save Kids!
Options: 1. Send a poor Black child to a violent, academically inferior
Washington, DC, (Government)K-12, Public School for $15,000/child/year using
taxpayer funded vouchers.
2. Send that same poor Black child to a nurturing, academically
superior,DC area, Private or Parochial School for less than $7500/year/child
using taxpayer funded vouchers.
To which school would the supporters of Government Schools send that poor, Black
child? Of course! To the violent, academically inferior Government DC Public
School which rewards failure for premium prices.
And why? 1. Traditionally, Democrats despise Blacks and have opposed quality
education for Blacks since before the Civil War. It's an honored tradition
of the Democrats.
2. Maybe the person is not a Democrat; but, they have a business interest
in failing kids. As one White, Southern, Atlanta Chamber of Commerce member
told me:
"We support Board of Education members who oppose quality education (for Blacks).
Chamber members win by building new Atlanta Public Schools,
Chamber members win by renovating older Atlanta Public Schools,
AND,
Chambers members win by building prisons and jails to house the drop-outs and
poorly educated (Black) graduates of the Atlanta Public Schools System.
3. Maybe, the person who opposes Education Vouchers just hates Blacks.
4. While Prez Obama is Black/White, he's a Democrat. And as a loyal Democrat,
he voted against quality schools for DC's kids. Elenor Holmes Norton and
every member of the Black Congressional Caucus voted against quality education
for DC's Black kids.
5. Maybe the voucher opponent just hates kids---especially Black kids.
I know there are many more reasons---most loathsome or at best---Brain Dead.
Sincerely,
Bill Bryan
PO Box 3683
Peachtree City, GA 30269-7683
404-824-4120
Choice is bad for minorities? They're the ones asking for it!
It was remarked here that school choice is bad for the poor/minorities. The ironic thing is that those are the ones most asking for it. Blacks and inner city folk are expected to vote for the Democratic party and most of them do. But inner city blacks in particular have been most vocal in asking for choice. Unfortunately for the poor, the Republicans have not been nimble enough to exploit this. Consider that 10% of the delegates to the Democratic convention are teachers; they are not likely to cede school choice power anytime soon.
Also, the comparison is made to private business which allows failure and bankruptcy. This is said to be a bad thing for poor kids. Not! We don't want the KIDS to be allowed to fail. We want the SCHOOLS to be allowed to fail! Then another may take its place.
Finally, you owe us voucher people something important. California was denied charter schools until the 1993 voucher initiative Prop 174. Although it was a wonderful initiative, allowing (gulp) parents to decide, it was creamed at the polls. 2 to 1. But, the Legislature panicked and allowed 100 charter schools statewide, something the CTA had opposed. Well, of course, the camel's nose working the way it does, we now have relative freedom to create charter schools. Thank the few, brave voucher-istas!
Solution: School Tax Spending Choice New Jersey
I believe I have a solution to the question of school choice. The answer is not school choice, but school tax spending choice.
Solution:
All residents of a school district pay a local school tax, whether it be as a property owner or as a rentor. All children of school-age are required, by state law, to attend school. While a child is of school-age the parent/guardian of the child should be permitted to spend an amount equal to, or lesser than, the local school tax he or she actually pays to the local public school, for a non-public school education of his or her choice. If the cost of the non-public school education is less than the per-pupil cost of the local public school then the extra monies would go toward to the local public school.
If a parent/guardian is a rentor, not a property owner, the amount of the monthly rent that is designated for school tax can be used for the plan above.
Before or after a child is of school-age the parent/guardian of the child will pay the school tax as required by law and the monies will go to the local public school.
This is not a voucher plan. It does not discriminate. It is a fair and equitable solution for all parties. As long as the school in which a child is enrolled has been accredited by the state then there can be no reason why this plan is not an acceptable solution for all. I believe this plan will withstand a constitutional challenge.
School choice
No, I do not believe public money should go to private schools. This is detrimental to public education, and will only further delineate the differences between the "haves" and "have nots" by draining funds from public schools causing even further declines. Enough funding with accountability, is the answer for public school education , not punishing public schools with extreme needs.
The workplace analogy is never a fair one when made regarding public education. In the business world defective materials are destroyed or recycled, and those with less quality are just rejected. As a public educator, I'm proud that we serve all students and don't view the poor or poorly equipped as disposable. The poorest and poorly equipped are those most devasted by vouchers.
school choice
I am afraid you do not know much about Christian education. I have been in elementary Christian education for 35 years. We sent all three of our sons to Christian schools and Christian college. They are doing very well. They are well adjusted, have good jobs in the secular world and have great values. What is wrong in sheltering our children from sin and things in the world that they do not need to be exposed to? I know dynamite is dangerous and I don't have to be exposed to it to realize that. I think people need to have choices. This is America the land of choice. Why should people have to keep putting their children in a system that is failing? Public schools spend lots of money on education and the results are poor. We need to get back to the basics of teaching children, teaching them values and teach them to work hard. I paid taxes for public school and tuition so my own children could have a great education. Is that fair? Many parents are doing this. Many parents sacrifice so the children can have a Christian education. Now we don't only have to worry about the education but we have to worry about children's safety as well. I do not want to send my children or grandchildren to a battlefield everyday. I want them in a place that is safe as it can be. As far as intolerance goes, I don't think that is as important as teaching children Christian values. If they truly learn this they will learn to love others and have tolerance for others like Jesus does. I am not willing to sacrifice my children and grandchildren for the sake of tolerance.
Thank you
Wanda McClintock
School Choice Programs
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"
No. I do not want my tax dollars spent on other people's private religious schools. Spend the public money in the public schools.