Our President has stated that "education" is one of the pillars of his new policies. It appears that this policy means more of the leftist approach of throwing more money at the problem so as to show their undying support for the teachers union. This way the union will continue to support Democrat candidates. Quid Pro Quo. Who really cares about disadvantaged children getting educated anyway. Isn't it better to keep them stupid so that they will continue to do as they are told?
The Democrats' passage of an amendment tucked into the omnibus spending bill speaks volumns as to what they really believe in. Sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin (D., Ill.), the amendment effectively ended the Opportunity Scholarship Program, a lifeline now used by more than 1,700 schoolchildren to escape one of America's most miserable public school systems.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124148314511885437.html#mod=djemEditorialPage
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124147923132785121.html#mod=djemEditorialPage
Please read these and discuss the morality of this administration and the Democrats in Congress who voted for this. Remember the commercial about the Negro College Fund? "The mind is a terrible thing to waste" It appears that the Dems believe that a Negro mind is a terrible thing to educate. Rich and Terry please defend the Democrats here. It is my sincere belief that one of the only ways we are going to rid this country of the poor and disadvantaged is to start properly educating the inner city young and stressing the importance of a quality education. I believe it is much more important than "green jobs", and health care reform. If we are going to pump billions into education than let us target it at programs like these that are working. To continue to allow these failed union policies to continue which have resulted in utter failure is truly immoral.
- Sen. Durbin. In his floor statement defending his killer amendment, Mr. Durbin admitted he chose Catholic schools for his own children. "If I entrusted my own children to [private education], I certainly believe in it." But he went on to say this choice should be there only for Americans who pay for it. Wow "this choice should be there only for Americans who pay for it". Can we start applying this standard to many of the other programs that this President and Congress are shoving down our throat. Should we apply this to health care? Are these Durbin's views on a college education? The hypocrisy of the left is in plain view for all to see. The Emperor has no clothes! The only question is whether or not the left wing media will cover the rally.
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4 comments:
Complex topic, Mark. I used to support charter schools until I met a charter school teacher who was very disappointed in the product. The profit incentive overwhelmed everything else and there were precious few of the resources that she took for granted in the public system.
I agree the system is broken - Chicago school among the worst. Haven't there been 34 students murdered this school year? I was beyond shocked when I read about that.
I don't think either party holds the "moral" position on this topic.
I definitely disagree with you on this one. There are several kids who are attending the same school that Barry is sending his girls to that are going to lose this opportunity to possibly make a better life for themselves. We are not just talking about charter schools in this case. This is a voucher system that allows these children to attend "private schools". The Democratic party is weighing the wishes of the Teachers union against the chance for some of these kids to do better. There is no argument to take these vouchers away, yet that is what the Dems are doing. The union is incapable of making a logical argument to support stopping this voucher system. So they are calling in their chips and demanding that the voucher system be stopped. The Dems are only too happy to comply. It is now getting interesting because several civil rights figures are going to attend this rally. So now the Dems will have to make a choice between the union and African American children. Things get complemented when you have to please so many different special interest groups. I guess Barry meant that Hope and Change does not apply to groups whose votes are his even if he ignores them.
Not so simple, Mark.
The problem with funding private schools is that it takes funds that would otherwise go to public schools. What is the best approach to significantly improving education? It is not as simple as giving out a limited number of vouchers.
I want to see competition in the system and I am a strong believer in testing. How does one verify progress without measurement? The education problem is a large one without a simple answer. There is not a magic bullet.
For starters, I would expand the school year to 220-240 days. If we can increase annual class time 20 - 35%, we'll have mediocrity + 20 - 35%, which is 20 - 35% better. It will also help families with two working parents.
If secular private schools will take the responsibility for all students (as required of public schools) in a given area and demonstrate materially superior education at the same or lower cost per pupil, I am all for providing vouchers. In such an event we can practically close down the public schools. Unfortunately, few if any schools can meet this test.
I would support same for schools operated by religious groups provided that they do not have ANY required religious instruction or religious "test" for students. Though money is fungible, I'm okay with church funded GENUINELY OPTIONAL religious classes in the same facility receiving public funds. This has met the SCOTUS test with respect to the First Amendment.
But why shut down the voucher system in Washington DC that appears to be working? How are we ever going to prove that there is another way if the teachers union continually demands that the Democrats block alternatives? That is the point here. Can't you see it?
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