Posted on 12/09/2004 6:49:31 PM PST by mysonsfuture
"Also - Schools would be subject to simple economics-Supply and demand."
Isn't supply and demand you'll supply all the money and we'll demand more? :)
Those are good points, DBR.
"What happens when the first Wiccan school opens via voucher system or the first string of Fundie Islamic schools?"
More power to 'em! If we can have Christian or Jewish schools, why do we care what they do, as long as they don't break the law at their schools?
I agree.. so long as they don't offer flying lessons.
For a different take of this, check out John Taylor Gatto.
Not all public schools are cesspools. I went to a band concert tonight at my daughter's public school and the band director actually mentioned God during a break. They also played real Christmas songs as well as a couple of songs for Hanukkah. And no one in the audience hissed or booed and there won't be any complaints about it.
"I googled, but couldn't find a list of religions recognized by the IRS as tax exempt."
WHEN IN THE WORLD DID IT BECOME AN IRS DECISION AS TO WHO'S RELIGION IS VALID AND WHO'S IS NOT?! Don't you people see how sheepish we've become? Oh, I'd better see if the government approves of my XYZ or my this & that....WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT!!!!! READ THE CONSTITUTION!!! My Lord! I can understand that kind of talk coming from someone on action forum or DU, but Free Republic?!!
From a friend of mine-there's a muslim school in KC.
And no, it wasn't set up by those evil jihadist we hear so much about, it was created by some Muslim doctors and other conservative Muslim parents who grew really sick and tired of the "Condom-Ed", tolerate and applaud homosexuality stuff....stuff that disturbs Christian parents too.
Apparently the curriculum is very, very hard and the kids are some of the brightest and most mature he's encountered in his business.
I have no problem with vouchers for parents....survival of the fitest in education.
If folks want a Catholic/Jewish/Muslim...heck, even a Wicca education, let them vote with their dollars. Remember, it's their tax money and their kids.
If you are a Muslim/Catholic/Protestant/Jewish parent, you should have as an alternative to publik skool, a school that you can morally support, so long as that school can meet the state minimum standards on the basics.
Seriously- The way I decide these types of things is to "bottomline" it... I either support the idea of a good education for all children- or I support the idea of a good education for those who can afford it.
So I put myself in the shoes of a Soldier at war. What are they fighting to protect? I have my ideas on that.. so there I stand.
I said talk show hosts.
Ping
I am an unschooler-so public education does not fit with my personal model of education. But I know it works very well for some people.
BTW- All members of the NEA are bad and the Department of Education is bad.
You're right those are great reasons for supporting our disasterous public schools.
meh, not homeschooling but community oriented cheap private schools possible.
We have so lost touch with our own humanity that it is discouraging. Even at best, the education system is set up, indeed was created, to produce good citizens and good consumers.
Alas, these goals do not always produce good humans and a good society. Gatto says it better than I; and he has been on it for a long time. Mash my link up thread.
Ahhh...there you have it...and it's precisely why I am against vouchers. You pay the taxes, The Government gives you a voucher, and in return you must educate to their minimum standards.
No thank you. They can keep the money, just leave me alone and let me educate my children to my minimum standards which might differ from The Government's.
See, here's the thing with supply/demand with education. It'll quickly become a "get what you pay for situation," even more than it is now. Competition for good teachers will be fierce in providing compensation, as technology becomes more integrated into education, then you'll have the best equipment going to the best funded (highest tuition)schools and whatever mitigating factors you had in terms of volume purchasing power in public schools will be cut to the bone...
All this, of course, is pretty much inevitable. Just like the HMOs were inevitable.
I happen to think my children will be better educated at home with me- But I recognize that is not a situation that all people agree with for their own children. Parents know their children's needs best.
My point, such as it was, is to fix the public schools. But that's probably not going to happen. People prefer to flee...
There's going to be a huge shake up in Ed. with better broadband. It's already impacting the university.
Yes, a community could create their own school, it just takes a critical mass of parents that are willing to do it.
Besides straw, there are a host of alternative and "old time" solutions for a citizen school.
Also don't forget the old folks, there are tons of elderly people with knowledge, who love teaching, but are unable or unwilling to continue working full time in a public school.
A community school could draw on local resources and tap the net for additional resources. And while it might be smaller and have less fancy things than a puclic school, the kids who went there would run circles around the public schoolers.
There's another point missing in your suggestion; the kids at your hypothetical school would know that they were cared for and loved by their community, ....contrast this to most kids today who feel incredibly lonely or alienated from their community.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.