TTP | A Right Done Wrong?
Hoosier Education Reform -
April 18th, 2011
School vouchers are a lot like edible underwear: they're a dynamite idea on paper, but if not executed wisely by the right individuals can end up being a hot, sticky mess that leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth.
Vouchers traditionally were created to give children from low income families in badly performing public schools the opportunity to attend a private school and get a quality education. Makes sense, but what if those vouchers are awarded by blind chance and not on merit? What if those vouchers are not just for the poor and struggling, but rather available for any middle class kid not digging his current school?
Helping those who want to help themselves, we get. Gambling with taxpayers' money for the indifferent and unhappy because they didn't make the football team, we don't. Indiana lawmakers got the undies in their hands this week. It will be interesting to see if they pull them on, and who eats it.
[Join the conversation about ... vouchers.]
|
$100K
|
Amount of money Indiana Republicans would allow a family of four to make yet still be eligible to apply for vouchers. They then dropped it to $80,000 after opposition, and now to $60,000. "Hey, Dad, Denise just dumped me. There is a pretty hot chick across town at Central Catholic. Can we apply for a voucher?" |
Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
 |
|
|
Will Durant, American writer and historian (1885-1981)
|
 |
The first school-voucher program instituted in the United States was a state-funded effort in 1990 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Still, Milwaukee's greatest achievement to this day has been Old Milwaukee beer in returnable bottles.
Negative Marks on IN Vouchers
| Government funding of private schools gives the government power to control those schools. |
| Public schools already dealing with deep cuts (no music, physical education) get killed by vouchers. |
| Tax dollars for a private religious-based school violates separation of church and state. |
| Success in life should be rewarded from hard work. Vouchers are rewarded by lottery. |
| What is the lesson? Don't overcome, don't fight, don't pursue. Just transfer. |
 |
Getting an education is one of the most important things a person can get in this life. Awarding a voucher to an individual who doesn't want or need it is the same as denying someone who is deserving. Explosive topic? Wild ideas? Learn from one who knows both sides, then decide for yourself. |
loading...
