I often wonder who deserves the best schools. Is it the rich families, living within private gates of their community, that should send their children to the best private schools? Sure, they can afford it and they want to do what is best for their kids. But that brings me to the child living in the slums of a city...they may attend the worst school in the area. Is it the child's fault his/her parents cannot afford a better school or a better neighborhood? Will this child end up the same...living in the slums, barely making ends meet? Wouldn't it make simple sense to allow these children to attend different schools, where they can learn, prosper, and hopefully get out of their current situation? In my simple mind, if this were to happen, all the schools would be driven, if not forced, to improve. Does our country not want every child to succeed?
School choice would stimulate change within our many failing districts, and finally allow children to reach their potential. The American Federation of Teachers strongly opposes school choice, and many other education reform tools. Unions were strong supporters of President Elect Obama, who is also against school choice. Now, they are all in a tricky spot. The Obamas' will most likely send their two girls to one of several elite private schools in DC; and why shouldn't they? They can afford it and want the best for their children.
Now, the AFT says that is okay. Anyone else find a problem a strong school choice opponent using private schools when he promotes public schools and refuses children from choosing other schools? I am in no way saying the Obamas' should choose a failing DC school; I am only suggesting if they feel the schools are not good enough for their girls, why are they good enough for any child? Why does the AFT feel it is okay for the president to not choose a public school when he feels every other child should?
CNS News reports on this in Okay for Obamas' to Send Their Kids to Private Schools, Teachers’ Union President Says
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle “have every right” to send their children to public or private school, and no one should “criticize” their decision, Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), said in an interview with CNSNews.com on Monday at the National Press Club.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Some States Can't Afford Lack of School Choice
School choice has been slowly growing around the country and many children are tremendously benefiting from it. While some may think only a select few are reaping the benefits, this is not the case. When children move into a private school, it actually saves the state money by opening up those public school funds. The tired argument by opponents is being proven incorrect and if we truly want all children to succeed, more people need to be aware of this.
Recently, due to hard economic times, the New York public school system is facing harder times that one would have thought.
This article written by Adam Schaeffer at the Cato Institute spells out the troubles New York will face:
I wrote recently about the bad economy causing parents to pull their kids from private schools and enroll them in public school; it costs school districts and taxpayers a bundle of money to educate these new kids.
The New York Post reports today that Catholic schools are hemorrhaging students:
In the Archdiocese of New York - which operates schools in Manhattan, Staten Island, The Bronx and northern suburbs - enrollment at elementary and high schools dropped by nearly 6,000 students in one year, to 88,273, officials said.
Those 6,000 students put taxpayers on the hook for another $120 million dollars at New York’s current $20,000 in per-student spending if they go to public school.
Regardless of what you think about educational choice, governments and taxpayers are in no shape to pony up that kind of cash. It’s a lot cheaper to keep those kids in Catholic schools with an education tax credit.
A little more than a quarter of current public per-student spending – $5,500 in tax credit funds – would pay for the entire average Catholic high school tuition. An education tax credit that size would mean a savings of $14,500 for every kid that stays in private school because of the credit. A credit like that might have saved taxpayers more than $80 million if it kept those 6,000 students in the school of their choice.
And that’s just Catholic schools . . . private schools are losing students across the board because many parents can’t afford to pay both school taxes and private tuition in this economy. Every kid they lose is a huge cost to public schools and taxpayers.
A recent Cato fiscal analysis found that a broad-based tax credit could save New York more than $15 billion in the first ten years . . . and that doesn’t even count savings from kids who would otherwise have gone to public schools without the credit.
New York and other states in financial trouble need education tax credits – they can’t afford not to have school choice.
Recently, due to hard economic times, the New York public school system is facing harder times that one would have thought.
This article written by Adam Schaeffer at the Cato Institute spells out the troubles New York will face:
I wrote recently about the bad economy causing parents to pull their kids from private schools and enroll them in public school; it costs school districts and taxpayers a bundle of money to educate these new kids.
The New York Post reports today that Catholic schools are hemorrhaging students:
In the Archdiocese of New York - which operates schools in Manhattan, Staten Island, The Bronx and northern suburbs - enrollment at elementary and high schools dropped by nearly 6,000 students in one year, to 88,273, officials said.
Those 6,000 students put taxpayers on the hook for another $120 million dollars at New York’s current $20,000 in per-student spending if they go to public school.
Regardless of what you think about educational choice, governments and taxpayers are in no shape to pony up that kind of cash. It’s a lot cheaper to keep those kids in Catholic schools with an education tax credit.
A little more than a quarter of current public per-student spending – $5,500 in tax credit funds – would pay for the entire average Catholic high school tuition. An education tax credit that size would mean a savings of $14,500 for every kid that stays in private school because of the credit. A credit like that might have saved taxpayers more than $80 million if it kept those 6,000 students in the school of their choice.
And that’s just Catholic schools . . . private schools are losing students across the board because many parents can’t afford to pay both school taxes and private tuition in this economy. Every kid they lose is a huge cost to public schools and taxpayers.
A recent Cato fiscal analysis found that a broad-based tax credit could save New York more than $15 billion in the first ten years . . . and that doesn’t even count savings from kids who would otherwise have gone to public schools without the credit.
New York and other states in financial trouble need education tax credits – they can’t afford not to have school choice.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Today and Tomorrow Education Foundation
According to the Missouri Political News Service, the Today and Tomorrow Foundation had a successful reception. This organization provides scholarships to children to attend private or parochial schools of their choice. When children have better options for schooling, windows are opened for them that may have remained closed otherwise. All children deserve not just an average eduation, but a great one; and organizations like the TTEF make it possible. Now...if only states would allow this to happen freely and for every child.
Children from St. Frances Cabrini Academy in St. Louis delighted guests with their musical presentation at a recent reception held for the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation (TTEF).
The event was hosted by Rex and. Jeanne Sinquefield, and welcomed members of the TTEF board of directors as well as other supporters and friends. The Sinquefields oversee the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation, which earlier this year donated $500,000 to TTEF.
Since 1990 TTEF has raised more than $20 million for tuition assistance in the form of grants and scholarships for children to attend the private or parochial school of their choice. More than 1,100 children benefit from this support annually.
Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation is most grateful to Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield for their generosity and commitment to the education of children,” said TTEF chairman Jack Pohrer. “The Sinquefields’ partnership with Today and Tomorrow is vital to the success of the Help for Today-Hope for Tomorrow Kindergarten through 4th Grade scholarship program.”
“Researchers at Harvard University have demonstrated that students receiving private school scholarships progress by more than a full grade level in reading and math over their peers in public schools after only one year,” said Sharon Stopke, TTEF executive director. “Our goal is to provide opportunities for low-income families to enable their children to receive a sound, quality education.”
The Sinquefields are strong proponents of the work done by TTEF. “All children deserve the opportunity to obtain a thorough education so that they can work to realize their full potential,” said Rex Sinquefield. “Jeanne and I are honored to help this excellent organization achieve its noble goals that benefit our entire society.”
The Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization for the purpose of seeking financial support to provide partial scholarship assistance to low-income children in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. St. Frances Cabrini Academy is one of more than 50 participating schools in the St. Louis School Choice Scholarship Fund.
For more information on the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation, call 314-792-7622, visit www.archstl.org/ttef or link to http://blip.tv/file/1395921?filename=Tjrenovates-TodayTomorrow520.flv.
The event was hosted by Rex and. Jeanne Sinquefield, and welcomed members of the TTEF board of directors as well as other supporters and friends. The Sinquefields oversee the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation, which earlier this year donated $500,000 to TTEF.
Since 1990 TTEF has raised more than $20 million for tuition assistance in the form of grants and scholarships for children to attend the private or parochial school of their choice. More than 1,100 children benefit from this support annually.
Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation is most grateful to Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield for their generosity and commitment to the education of children,” said TTEF chairman Jack Pohrer. “The Sinquefields’ partnership with Today and Tomorrow is vital to the success of the Help for Today-Hope for Tomorrow Kindergarten through 4th Grade scholarship program.”
“Researchers at Harvard University have demonstrated that students receiving private school scholarships progress by more than a full grade level in reading and math over their peers in public schools after only one year,” said Sharon Stopke, TTEF executive director. “Our goal is to provide opportunities for low-income families to enable their children to receive a sound, quality education.”
The Sinquefields are strong proponents of the work done by TTEF. “All children deserve the opportunity to obtain a thorough education so that they can work to realize their full potential,” said Rex Sinquefield. “Jeanne and I are honored to help this excellent organization achieve its noble goals that benefit our entire society.”
The Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization for the purpose of seeking financial support to provide partial scholarship assistance to low-income children in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. St. Frances Cabrini Academy is one of more than 50 participating schools in the St. Louis School Choice Scholarship Fund.
For more information on the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation, call 314-792-7622, visit www.archstl.org/ttef or link to http://blip.tv/file/1395921?filename=Tjrenovates-TodayTomorrow520.flv.
Monday, November 10, 2008
School Choice Movement Goes National!
The School Choice movement is gaining national momentum and we all need to join in. Missouri's movement is making headways as well...thought I would share the national scope for those interested.
LetParentsChoose.org
School Choice Movement Launches Major National Campaign to Recruit 10,000 Activists“School Choice Works” campaign is the first national outreach effort for voucher and tax credit proponents.(Washington, D.C.) November 11, 2008—The national school choice movement today launched an aggressive campaign to recruit 10,000 new activists. Coordinated by the nonprofit Alliance for School Choice, the School Choice Works campaign will promote the benefits of school vouchers and tax credit scholarship programs. The effort will coincide with the start of 2009 state legislative sessions. (Visit www.LetParentsChoose.org for details.)The Alliance, which is the nation’s largest organization promoting school vouchers and tax credit scholarships, will launch a blitz of online advertising and radio promotions to spread the word about the recruitment effort. According to the Alliance, School Choice Works is the movement’s first national outreach campaign. The Alliance estimates that it will meet its goal of recruiting 10,000 new supporters by as early as January 2009.The campaign’s Web site, www.LetParentsChoose.org, encourages supporters to sign up for free information kits, subscriptions to magazines, advocacy guides, bumper stickers, and e-mail updates.“America's hardworking families should have the right to choose the schools that work best for their children," said School Choice Works Campaign Director Andrew Campanella. “Special interests have long dominated the public debate over vouchers, but our campaign will present the true life-changing stories of the families who have benefited from school choice programs. We also look forward to providing new ways for our supporters to help advance this important cause.”More than 152,000 children participate in 18 school choice programs operating in 10 states and the District of Columbia. The bipartisan base of support for school choice is growing every year, with public opinion polls showing stronger support among Democrats, African-Americans, Latinos, and Hispanics than ever before. The School Choice Works campaign will shine a spotlight on the failures of many public schools in America. Despite the best efforts of many educators, roughly 4 million children attend failing or underperforming schools. More than 1 million kids drop out of school each year. Every 26 seconds, another child drops out of school.“Despite what defenders of the status quo have told us for decades, more money alone will not solve this problem,” said Alliance President Charles R. Hokanson. “How to improve schools is not a mystery. It simply requires the will to make the necessary changes. Wherever school choice has been tried, it has worked for participating children and parents. If we are truly serious about improving graduation rates and preparing our children to compete in the 21st century global economy—expanded parental choice must be a readily available option.”
LetParentsChoose.org
School Choice Movement Launches Major National Campaign to Recruit 10,000 Activists“School Choice Works” campaign is the first national outreach effort for voucher and tax credit proponents.(Washington, D.C.) November 11, 2008—The national school choice movement today launched an aggressive campaign to recruit 10,000 new activists. Coordinated by the nonprofit Alliance for School Choice, the School Choice Works campaign will promote the benefits of school vouchers and tax credit scholarship programs. The effort will coincide with the start of 2009 state legislative sessions. (Visit www.LetParentsChoose.org for details.)The Alliance, which is the nation’s largest organization promoting school vouchers and tax credit scholarships, will launch a blitz of online advertising and radio promotions to spread the word about the recruitment effort. According to the Alliance, School Choice Works is the movement’s first national outreach campaign. The Alliance estimates that it will meet its goal of recruiting 10,000 new supporters by as early as January 2009.The campaign’s Web site, www.LetParentsChoose.org, encourages supporters to sign up for free information kits, subscriptions to magazines, advocacy guides, bumper stickers, and e-mail updates.“America's hardworking families should have the right to choose the schools that work best for their children," said School Choice Works Campaign Director Andrew Campanella. “Special interests have long dominated the public debate over vouchers, but our campaign will present the true life-changing stories of the families who have benefited from school choice programs. We also look forward to providing new ways for our supporters to help advance this important cause.”More than 152,000 children participate in 18 school choice programs operating in 10 states and the District of Columbia. The bipartisan base of support for school choice is growing every year, with public opinion polls showing stronger support among Democrats, African-Americans, Latinos, and Hispanics than ever before. The School Choice Works campaign will shine a spotlight on the failures of many public schools in America. Despite the best efforts of many educators, roughly 4 million children attend failing or underperforming schools. More than 1 million kids drop out of school each year. Every 26 seconds, another child drops out of school.“Despite what defenders of the status quo have told us for decades, more money alone will not solve this problem,” said Alliance President Charles R. Hokanson. “How to improve schools is not a mystery. It simply requires the will to make the necessary changes. Wherever school choice has been tried, it has worked for participating children and parents. If we are truly serious about improving graduation rates and preparing our children to compete in the 21st century global economy—expanded parental choice must be a readily available option.”
Friday, November 7, 2008
Charter Schools Gaining Ground
The education reform battle, (or movement if you prefer) has been gaining momentum, even when the hardest legislation to pass has yet to come. There are several aspects to the education reform movement, which include school choice, merit pay for teachers, transparency, charter schools, and alternative teacher certification. Missouri managed to pass the alternative certification bill...this is a huge victory, although some may not see the significance.
Another instrumental portion is charter schools. Currently, only Kansas City and St. Louis allow these schools.
A recent article in Springfield's News Leader illustrates the energy charter schools are maintaining. More people are placing their children in charter schools, thereby pulling them out of traditional public schools.
This academic year, about 23 percent of schoolchildren in the Kansas City public school district are now getting their education at one of the city's 18 public charter schools.
Kansas City has more than 7,000 students in those schools.
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools ranks the city sixth among U.S. communities in the percentage of public school students at charter schools.
Nationally, more than 1.4 million students are enrolled in more than 4,600 public charter schools.
The Kansas City schools are down about 800 students this year. State officials say the enrollment growth might be due to new schools and existing charters opening new campuses.
Charter schools are public schools run by independent boards and supported by the state.
What does it say about the public schools?
Another interesting story...I know a mother in Kansas City, who also happens to be a teacher in public schools. She is largely in favor of school choice, but in fear of the teacher unions, does not want to make this public (which is a shame). Nevertheless, she cannot afford the private school much longer but wants to place her child in a charter school (the name currently escapes me).
More and more parents are putting their children in charter schools or moving to better districts. How bright does the red flag need to be before people realize parents want choice?
Another instrumental portion is charter schools. Currently, only Kansas City and St. Louis allow these schools.
A recent article in Springfield's News Leader illustrates the energy charter schools are maintaining. More people are placing their children in charter schools, thereby pulling them out of traditional public schools.
This academic year, about 23 percent of schoolchildren in the Kansas City public school district are now getting their education at one of the city's 18 public charter schools.
Kansas City has more than 7,000 students in those schools.
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools ranks the city sixth among U.S. communities in the percentage of public school students at charter schools.
Nationally, more than 1.4 million students are enrolled in more than 4,600 public charter schools.
The Kansas City schools are down about 800 students this year. State officials say the enrollment growth might be due to new schools and existing charters opening new campuses.
Charter schools are public schools run by independent boards and supported by the state.
What does it say about the public schools?
Another interesting story...I know a mother in Kansas City, who also happens to be a teacher in public schools. She is largely in favor of school choice, but in fear of the teacher unions, does not want to make this public (which is a shame). Nevertheless, she cannot afford the private school much longer but wants to place her child in a charter school (the name currently escapes me).
More and more parents are putting their children in charter schools or moving to better districts. How bright does the red flag need to be before people realize parents want choice?
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