School Vouchers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem I see is that there just won’t be enough good schools to go around! Suppose I am looking for a school where I like the demographic, the reputation, and the test data, will there be a spot for me? It’s not a coincidence that good schools are mostly overcrowded. What if they were allowed to accept from outside of their boundaries?
At the same time low performing schools sit underenrolled and even close sometimes.

That's the point of a school is low performing it should disappear, the demand goes to good schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Yes 100% vouchers! I’ll vote for any pro voucher candidate now. -former liberal who is livid about no school

Better than that, 100% of per pupil expenditure, money follows kids.

Signed,
GOP who wants to destroy public schools

Nope. Dem who has spent a lot of time thinking about education policy this year. Our schools are a relic of the 1950s and one size fits all. This is a great chance to overhaul that, make HSs smaller and more specialized, get a better voc tech track for HS, find a way to keep AAP from being such a mess, etc. we aren’t 1950. We have the technology and a different economy.

But, governments don’t innovate. They aren’t nimble. There is a role for the private sector in reimagining education. And public education needs to be reimagined. Why are sports vital for HS? Why not just have club teams and intermural? My DD is super isolated now, and needs some in person. But, with technology would be fine only going in 2 days a week and focusing on things better done in person. Maybe our schools don’t need to be so overcrowded. Maybe there is a role for kids to be hybrid if it’s done well. Or take some classes virtually and some in person. Maybe some kids would be better in a year round school model. Maybe Asian parents want a more Asian style education. Maybe that includes telelearning from teachers in their native country.

So not an R. Just someone who thinks it’s time for schools to get out of the life revolves around average kids going to football games and proms and innovate.

Public schools are less likely to innovate if you pull the money out.

Push for change, NOT to defund schools.

Have you met our SB? They are incapable of change. Public schools aren’t innovating with a full budget. So, put the money elsewhere and let capitalism do its thing.

I'm sorry, but did you just say that the public schools have a "full budget?" What on Earth gives you that impression? Schools are underfunded.

Exactly. And pulling money out isn't going to fix anything.

Push for CHANGE - not to DESTROY public schools.

We did that. It didn’t work. And it’s become super apparent now just how dysfunctional it all has become. NO more excuses. Time to start over. Innovate. The US has fallen too far behind. Yet .... more requests for money, more standards, more testing .... and well, more excuses.

Public schools aren’t going to suddenly rebound from the pandemic. They just aren’t. Where’s the money coming from? The federal government- not likely with the current debt load. The state — again, not likely since they need to balance their budgets. More property taxes — there’s a limit here too.

[Anonymous]

There’s especially a limit on more property taxes when the school system has lost the trust of the community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes 100% vouchers! I’ll vote for any pro voucher candidate now. -former liberal who is livid about no school

Better than that, 100% of per pupil expenditure, money follows kids.

+1. We cannot rely on all teachers to do the right thing. Just like during this pandemic, some teachers are working their tails off and are highly effective. Some teachers give half hearted lessons or none at all and dont even try to engage the students. Some admin/teachers are fair, some biased. Some kids will thrive at their zoned school, some will not. No amount of money thrown at public schools will fix that.

What will fix it? Competition! As always! Public schools know that most parents cant afford private. With a tiered well funded system, all parents could. Public schools would have to step up or rightfully lose funding. Great schools will still be great. Horrible schools would close. And how great for the parent that feels their zoned school is low performing, plays favorites, racist, biased againd special needs, whatever. Now they dont have to put up with it. And if you dont want to drive further to a private school, you still have the choice of your public zoned school. Win, win, win!

Capitalism won't save schools.

Having good education policy will help. Teachers having a voice will help. Funding schools - especially those with special needs - will help.

Pulling money out will not save schools.

Im not trying to save schools. I'm trying to save kids! The status quo has to go. Bad schools, admin, teachers, etc. need to go.

Well, at least you're honest about it.

NP— what’s the issue teachers look out for themselves only. Why shouldn’t I look out for my kid? She cant afford another year like this. I wanted my kid in a good public. I’ve had kids in FCPS for years. But this year has been eye opening. Teachers want what’s best for teachers, not schools. FCPS can recover from a bad year. But, it can’t recover from the loss of community trust. And honestly, I don’t trust teachers with my kids anymore. Time for a divorce.

Ok bye!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s especially a limit on more property taxes when the school system has lost the trust of the community.

Well good-bye semi-decent schools and property value then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes 100% vouchers! I’ll vote for any pro voucher candidate now. -former liberal who is livid about no school

Better than that, 100% of per pupil expenditure, money follows kids.

Signed,
GOP who wants to destroy public schools

Nope. Dem who has spent a lot of time thinking about education policy this year. Our schools are a relic of the 1950s and one size fits all. This is a great chance to overhaul that, make HSs smaller and more specialized, get a better voc tech track for HS, find a way to keep AAP from being such a mess, etc. we aren’t 1950. We have the technology and a different economy.

But, governments don’t innovate. They aren’t nimble. There is a role for the private sector in reimagining education. And public education needs to be reimagined. Why are sports vital for HS? Why not just have club teams and intermural? My DD is super isolated now, and needs some in person. But, with technology would be fine only going in 2 days a week and focusing on things better done in person. Maybe our schools don’t need to be so overcrowded. Maybe there is a role for kids to be hybrid if it’s done well. Or take some classes virtually and some in person. Maybe some kids would be better in a year round school model. Maybe Asian parents want a more Asian style education. Maybe that includes telelearning from teachers in their native country.

So not an R. Just someone who thinks it’s time for schools to get out of the life revolves around average kids going to football games and proms and innovate.

Public schools are less likely to innovate if you pull the money out.

Push for change, NOT to defund schools.

Have you met our SB? They are incapable of change. Public schools aren’t innovating with a full budget. So, put the money elsewhere and let capitalism do its thing.

I'm sorry, but did you just say that the public schools have a "full budget?" What on Earth gives you that impression? Schools are underfunded.

Exactly. And pulling money out isn't going to fix anything.

Push for CHANGE - not to DESTROY public schools.

We did that. It didn’t work. And it’s become super apparent now just how dysfunctional it all has become. NO more excuses. Time to start over. Innovate. The US has fallen too far behind. Yet .... more requests for money, more standards, more testing .... and well, more excuses.

Public schools aren’t going to suddenly rebound from the pandemic. They just aren’t. Where’s the money coming from? The federal government- not likely with the current debt load. The state — again, not likely since they need to balance their budgets. More property taxes — there’s a limit here too.

You guys are such drama queens. Of course the schools will recover.

Part of the next relief bill is support for public schools to open. Beyond that, communities will need to lean into schools, not defund, for them to recover. Fortunately, most parents aren't crazy whiners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem I see is that there just won’t be enough good schools to go around! Suppose I am looking for a school where I like the demographic, the reputation, and the test data, will there be a spot for me? It’s not a coincidence that good schools are mostly overcrowded. What if they were allowed to accept from outside of their boundaries?
At the same time low performing schools sit underenrolled and even close sometimes.

That's the point of a school is low performing it should disappear, the demand goes to good schools

Exactly why capitalism doesn't work for public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes 100% vouchers! I’ll vote for any pro voucher candidate now. -former liberal who is livid about no school

Better than that, 100% of per pupil expenditure, money follows kids.

+1. We cannot rely on all teachers to do the right thing. Just like during this pandemic, some teachers are working their tails off and are highly effective. Some teachers give half hearted lessons or none at all and dont even try to engage the students. Some admin/teachers are fair, some biased. Some kids will thrive at their zoned school, some will not. No amount of money thrown at public schools will fix that.

What will fix it? Competition! As always! Public schools know that most parents cant afford private. With a tiered well funded system, all parents could. Public schools would have to step up or rightfully lose funding. Great schools will still be great. Horrible schools would close. And how great for the parent that feels their zoned school is low performing, plays favorites, racist, biased againd special needs, whatever. Now they dont have to put up with it. And if you dont want to drive further to a private school, you still have the choice of your public zoned school. Win, win, win!

Capitalism won't save schools.

Having good education policy will help. Teachers having a voice will help. Funding schools - especially those with special needs - will help.

Pulling money out will not save schools.

Im not trying to save schools. I'm trying to save kids! The status quo has to go. Bad schools, admin, teachers, etc. need to go.

Well, at least you're honest about it.

NP— what’s the issue teachers look out for themselves only. Why shouldn’t I look out for my kid? She cant afford another year like this. I wanted my kid in a good public. I’ve had kids in FCPS for years. But this year has been eye opening. Teachers want what’s best for teachers, not schools. FCPS can recover from a bad year. But, it can’t recover from the loss of community trust. And honestly, I don’t trust teachers with my kids anymore. Time for a divorce.

The fact that you think this is what happened is scary.

This wasn't the teacher's choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I realize this is a Republican talking point. I'm a democrat who has never supported this in the past. But now I'm starting to see the value in it since my public school can't educate my children. My wealthier neighbors already send their children to private school. This year has been so expensive in terms of additional child care and tutoring costs - I will go bankrupt if this continues another year.

Agree. I am also a liberal democrat now in favor of school choice. I am plowing through my savings to pay for a “learning hub” at a local preschool for my kids. JFC, open the schools! I can’t do this another year. Hybrid/concurrent is garbage for elementary. Open the schools NOW!!! If we had vouchers, the private schools would add classes and they could hire all the public school teachers that get laid off due to decrease enrollment.

Totally agree. Am not a Republican by any means, especially given their shameful state these days. Fcps total lack of ability to open at all this year, with next fall on the horizon with hybrid at best, it’s time to push for giving out vouchers. Private schools will most definitely be expanding capacity regardless of vouchers, but that would provide even more incentive. Honestly vouchers are probably a good long term option as well.

And also, this pandemic has made me realize that Fcps is way too big to manage, and should be split up. Why are Virginia school districts so large anyway? What is the value? Just seems to stifle innovation.

[Anonymous]

Yes, We need to push for change. If public school refuses to meet demand, we have no other option. sadly.

[Anonymous]

Completely agree they should break up FCPS. It suffers from INefficiencies of scale.

Vouchers won’t fix any of the issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question about vouchers: if public school students are given vouchers to use in private schools, what happens with students already paying for private schooling? Are all private school students then eligible for a subsidized education?

Depends on how the program is structured. Ohio's EdChoice program, for example, is not open to kids who attended private school the previous year without a voucher. In other words, eligible kids have to seek the voucher from the beginning of their school career (kindergarten) or the first year they move to Ohio if they are from out of state.

Also, a lot of private schools don't participate in the voucher program at all because they don't want to be bound to the requirements. Most of the high-end private schools do not participate in the program. So if you want to attend one of those private schools, you won't be able to use a voucher even if you'd otherwise be eligible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s especially a limit on more property taxes when the school system has lost the trust of the community.

Well good-bye semi-decent schools and property value then.

True. But the good schools are gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem I see is that there just won’t be enough good schools to go around! Suppose I am looking for a school where I like the demographic, the reputation, and the test data, will there be a spot for me? It’s not a coincidence that good schools are mostly overcrowded. What if they were allowed to accept from outside of their boundaries?
At the same time low performing schools sit underenrolled and even close sometimes.

Why should anyone have to go to a crappy school?

Yeah no, what I mean is: there is never any spots in good, free schools. Not sure if vouchers will immediately lead to the increase in good schools.

Very few things happen immediately. But, the process has already started.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes 100% vouchers! I’ll vote for any pro voucher candidate now. -former liberal who is livid about no school

Better than that, 100% of per pupil expenditure, money follows kids.

+1. We cannot rely on all teachers to do the right thing. Just like during this pandemic, some teachers are working their tails off and are highly effective. Some teachers give half hearted lessons or none at all and dont even try to engage the students. Some admin/teachers are fair, some biased. Some kids will thrive at their zoned school, some will not. No amount of money thrown at public schools will fix that.

What will fix it? Competition! As always! Public schools know that most parents cant afford private. With a tiered well funded system, all parents could. Public schools would have to step up or rightfully lose funding. Great schools will still be great. Horrible schools would close. And how great for the parent that feels their zoned school is low performing, plays favorites, racist, biased againd special needs, whatever. Now they dont have to put up with it. And if you dont want to drive further to a private school, you still have the choice of your public zoned school. Win, win, win!

Capitalism won't save schools.

Having good education policy will help. Teachers having a voice will help. Funding schools - especially those with special needs - will help.

Pulling money out will not save schools.

Im not trying to save schools. I'm trying to save kids! The status quo has to go. Bad schools, admin, teachers, etc. need to go.

Well, at least you're honest about it.

NP— what’s the issue teachers look out for themselves only. Why shouldn’t I look out for my kid? She cant afford another year like this. I wanted my kid in a good public. I’ve had kids in FCPS for years. But this year has been eye opening. Teachers want what’s best for teachers, not schools. FCPS can recover from a bad year. But, it can’t recover from the loss of community trust. And honestly, I don’t trust teachers with my kids anymore. Time for a divorce.

The fact that you think this is what happened is scary.

This wasn't the teacher's choice.

An 8000% increase in ADAs tanking a hybrid start is absolutely about teachers looking out for themselves only.