Conservatives Go to War -- Against Each Other -- over School Vouchers

Monday, July 01, 2024

School choice advocates are intent on expanding the availability of vouchers to fund private education at the expense of public schools, but rural residents of these targeted states are putting up some of the strongest resistance.

Posted by retort at 02:29 PM | 7 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Said it a week or two ago but it should be repeated. Gutting public school systems to fund charter schools and vouchers was one of the worst ideas in the history of ideas.

#1 | Posted by qcp at 2024-07-01 03:30 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

The modern method of giving tax deductions for private school tuition or "donations" to private schools works only if one has the do-re-mi to front the tuition, and also if one has the income to take full advantage of the deduction. Tell that to low income families hoping to get their children into some private school. Those parents don't have the cash for tuition, and don't make enough to benefit from the tax break. The lawmakers who came up with this model are either very stupid or very cynical...

#2 | Posted by catdog at 2024-07-01 05:32 PM | Reply

yes this is a fact. We are struggling to gain any consensus on my side of this issue.

There are so many people I know on one side and just as many on the other.
--I, personally, am skeptical of it.

I am quite sure that you can get a quality education at any public school if you want to because
I've seen it for myself.

I know of kids who continued at Cambridge... at Harvard / Stanford and Rice (and only 1 was an athlete.)
and all from a large city.... "inner city" schools.

I just can't get behind the idea.

#3 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2024-07-01 06:33 PM | Reply

Voucher programs should only be supported if the voucher cost is LESS than the funding per student for public schools,

For example. If the county budgets $10,000 per student, a $7500 per student voucher to parents who choose private or charter schools is a net savings to the school system. The extra $2500 per student can be used to enhance programs for the remaining students in public schools.

Of course, programming for special needs must also figure into these calculations. The other caveat I support is to require that voucher be applied to cover tuition entirely.

School choice done correctly enhances the public schools, as underperforming schools are compelled to step up their game and compete. If the public schools are effective, parents will CHOOSE the public school. If the public school SUCKS, parents should be able to take their per student allegation elsewhere.

#4 | Posted by Miranda7 at 2024-07-01 11:06 PM | Reply

"...as underperforming schools are compelled to step up their game and compete."

Ummm what? They are motivated to what, get back the students they lost? You think school teachers and administrators are motivated by that?

#5 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-07-01 11:09 PM | Reply

Fill me in, what do YOU think motivates teachers and administrators to improve?

#6 | Posted by Miranda7 at 2024-07-02 12:00 AM | Reply

Make sure both groups have guns and plenty of ammo.
And then lock them in a room to 'hash out their differences'.

#7 | Posted by earthmuse at 2024-07-02 06:01 AM | Reply