The voucher effect

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/08/05/arizona-public-school-closures-voucher-program/

This WaPo article about Arizona’s school vouchers should be required reading for a school board that does not listen to its constituents as it pushes through unnecessary boundary changes.

WaPo quote robust charter school system, tax money for home schooling and expansive private school vouchers, which are available to all families regardless of income. Together, these programs help explain why just 75 percent of Arizona children attended public schools in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available. That’s one of the lowest rates in the country.

75% in public schools? Without adding in % in private DC public schools had 48% of the public and charter in charters. More out of public in DC than AZ. WaPo is in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

But those supporting vouchers are putting money in as well, often a good bit more money than others with kids in FCPS.

When a supposed public good no longer really functions as a public good, but instead as a sandbox for those with a particular agenda, it’s no surprise that people want to abandon the charade.

I’d feel differently if FCPS was well run, but the incompetence gets worse every year while the politicization of FCPS only increases. FCPS has become the NPR of public school systems.

First, I do not consider "NPR" as a derogatory term. Second, I don't know what you are talking about. How can you say with a straight face that FCPS "no longer really functions as a public good".

We live in different realities.

You’re clinging to a rose-colored view of institutions like NPR and FCPS. NPR overstepped by becoming a mouthpiece for far-left ideologues, and consequently is being defunded with considerable public support. FCPS is headed down the same path, and vouchers would essentially redistribute educational resources into the hands of parents rather than entrust them to ideologues who have lost the plot and no longer know how to manage a large school system properly.

Maybe FCPS can avoid the same fate, but if its leadership remains in the hands of people like Michelle Reid, Karl Frisch, Robyn Lady, and Sandy Anderson that seems increasingly unlikely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

I actually align pretty closely with the politics you laid out above and I still think FCPS is going the way of vouchers. What you lay out I think really motivates about 5% of people.


But most parents have jobs. All the narrative about school not being childcare is fine— but most parents have jobs and want their kids in school five days per week. Early dismissal Monday’s when no other local district did that totally ruined FCPS’ credibility for me.

You know they provide free childcare on early release monday, right? Do try to keep up.

https://fairfaxgop.org/limited-early-release-mondays-for-2024-25-school-year/

We encourage all parents/caregivers to have their student take their normal route home (bus, walk, kiss and ride) on early dismissal days. While these are designated as early release days — where necessary — we will ensure that every student has supervised enrichment activities at the school and returns home at the regular time if that is what works best for your family. Licensed educators from central office will support schools as well. High-impact tutoring will be available for identified students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

I actually align pretty closely with the politics you laid out above and I still think FCPS is going the way of vouchers. What you lay out I think really motivates about 5% of people.


But most parents have jobs. All the narrative about school not being childcare is fine— but most parents have jobs and want their kids in school five days per week. Early dismissal Monday’s when no other local district did that totally ruined FCPS’ credibility for me.

School isn't child care. If you want childcare, and care more about childcare than professional development for the teachers who you also expect to be at the top of their game, then perhaps you should enroll your child in a daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

It’s MY tax money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

But those supporting vouchers are putting money in as well, often a good bit more money than others with kids in FCPS.

When a supposed public good no longer really functions as a public good, but instead as a sandbox for those with a particular agenda, it’s no surprise that people want to abandon the charade.

I’d feel differently if FCPS was well run, but the incompetence gets worse every year while the politicization of FCPS only increases. FCPS has become the NPR of public school systems.

First, I do not consider "NPR" as a derogatory term. Second, I don't know what you are talking about. How can you say with a straight face that FCPS "no longer really functions as a public good".

We live in different realities.

You’re clinging to a rose-colored view of institutions like NPR and FCPS. NPR overstepped by becoming a mouthpiece for far-left ideologues, and consequently is being defunded with considerable public support. FCPS is headed down the same path, and vouchers would essentially redistribute educational resources into the hands of parents rather than entrust them to ideologues who have lost the plot and no longer know how to manage a large school system properly.

Maybe FCPS can avoid the same fate, but if its leadership remains in the hands of people like Michelle Reid, Karl Frisch, Robyn Lady, and Sandy Anderson that seems increasingly unlikely.

Yeah, sorry, with 10s of 1000s federal workers laid off, I don't see your agenda for FCPS and VA passed by voters in this generation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

It’s MY tax money.

It's actually not "your" anything. Do you know how our country works? We elect people to govern on our behalf, to include taxing and spending. If you think government property is "yours" and you are entitled to it, then by all means go take a police car for a joyride and see how that ends for you. You MAGA people are so entitled and dense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

But those supporting vouchers are putting money in as well, often a good bit more money than others with kids in FCPS.

When a supposed public good no longer really functions as a public good, but instead as a sandbox for those with a particular agenda, it’s no surprise that people want to abandon the charade.

I’d feel differently if FCPS was well run, but the incompetence gets worse every year while the politicization of FCPS only increases. FCPS has become the NPR of public school systems.

First, I do not consider "NPR" as a derogatory term. Second, I don't know what you are talking about. How can you say with a straight face that FCPS "no longer really functions as a public good".

We live in different realities.

You’re clinging to a rose-colored view of institutions like NPR and FCPS. NPR overstepped by becoming a mouthpiece for far-left ideologues, and consequently is being defunded with considerable public support. FCPS is headed down the same path, and vouchers would essentially redistribute educational resources into the hands of parents rather than entrust them to ideologues who have lost the plot and no longer know how to manage a large school system properly.

Maybe FCPS can avoid the same fate, but if its leadership remains in the hands of people like Michelle Reid, Karl Frisch, Robyn Lady, and Sandy Anderson that seems increasingly unlikely.

Yeah, sorry, with 10s of 1000s federal workers laid off, I don't see your agenda for FCPS and VA passed by voters in this generation.

You are pretending all these things will be decided at the county level. They won’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

It’s MY tax money.

Here is the TL;DR of civic lesson: OUR tax money are subject to a public vote on how to be spend. Even if we don't agree with the result, we have to abide by it. This is called representative democracy. I don't agree on the money being spend on a lot of things, but I don't use the argument of "it's MY tax money". The argument I use would be how that is not for public interest.

If you can do with your tax money as you wish, it is not really the tax money, it is just called your money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

It’s MY tax money.

It's actually not "your" anything. Do you know how our country works? We elect people to govern on our behalf, to include taxing and spending. If you think government property is "yours" and you are entitled to it, then by all means go take a police car for a joyride and see how that ends for you. You MAGA people are so entitled and dense.

DP, but the implicit philosophy that your money is only what the smart people in the government decide to allow you to retain isn’t working out so well these days.

The sustained mismanagement of FCPS by third-rate politicians who are the textbook definition of “entitled and dense” tends to push people in a more libertarian direction when it comes to things like vouchers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

But those supporting vouchers are putting money in as well, often a good bit more money than others with kids in FCPS.

When a supposed public good no longer really functions as a public good, but instead as a sandbox for those with a particular agenda, it’s no surprise that people want to abandon the charade.

I’d feel differently if FCPS was well run, but the incompetence gets worse every year while the politicization of FCPS only increases. FCPS has become the NPR of public school systems.

First, I do not consider "NPR" as a derogatory term. Second, I don't know what you are talking about. How can you say with a straight face that FCPS "no longer really functions as a public good".

We live in different realities.

+1

RWNJs pushing BS talking points to push their agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

It’s MY tax money.

As a teacher, comments like this are selfish and condescending. Yes, we all pay taxes. I’ve had parents try to boss me around saying that their taxes pay my salary. Guess what? My own taxes go towards my salary too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

But those supporting vouchers are putting money in as well, often a good bit more money than others with kids in FCPS.

When a supposed public good no longer really functions as a public good, but instead as a sandbox for those with a particular agenda, it’s no surprise that people want to abandon the charade.

I’d feel differently if FCPS was well run, but the incompetence gets worse every year while the politicization of FCPS only increases. FCPS has become the NPR of public school systems.

First, I do not consider "NPR" as a derogatory term. Second, I don't know what you are talking about. How can you say with a straight face that FCPS "no longer really functions as a public good".

We live in different realities.

+1

RWNJs pushing BS talking points to push their agenda.

You can’t deal with the merits as to why so many are disappointed with FCPS, so you resort to the usual insults, such as slurs like “RWNJ.” The irony is it only reveals your own low brows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

It’s MY tax money.

It's actually not "your" anything. Do you know how our country works? We elect people to govern on our behalf, to include taxing and spending. If you think government property is "yours" and you are entitled to it, then by all means go take a police car for a joyride and see how that ends for you. You MAGA people are so entitled and dense.

DP, but the implicit philosophy that your money is only what the smart people in the government decide to allow you to retain isn’t working out so well these days.

The sustained mismanagement of FCPS by third-rate politicians who are the textbook definition of “entitled and dense” tends to push people in a more libertarian direction when it comes to things like vouchers.

The “implicit philosophy” is that you have a choice to run against those in government to change things to reflect your values instead of whining on an anonymous message board. So go for it. Make a pitch to the voters and we’ll see how the election turns out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems only voucher enthusiastics are vocal on this debate.

I, as a FCPS parent, do not support vouchers. They are not going to solve problems in public education. If you don't like the politics (DEI, empathy, religious neutral) of FCPS, then spend your own money to find the school you like. I support your right to choose but not your right to take the money out.

But those supporting vouchers are putting money in as well, often a good bit more money than others with kids in FCPS.

When a supposed public good no longer really functions as a public good, but instead as a sandbox for those with a particular agenda, it’s no surprise that people want to abandon the charade.

I’d feel differently if FCPS was well run, but the incompetence gets worse every year while the politicization of FCPS only increases. FCPS has become the NPR of public school systems.

First, I do not consider "NPR" as a derogatory term. Second, I don't know what you are talking about. How can you say with a straight face that FCPS "no longer really functions as a public good".

We live in different realities.

+1

RWNJs pushing BS talking points to push their agenda.

I started this voucher thread, but just made sizeable donations to NPR and PBS this week. So to the extent you think it’s just RWNJs pushing their agenda, I happily disabuse you of that notion.

I am generally in favor of public schools, but the school board’s unnecessary comprehensive boundary review is causing me to swiftly reevaluate that support.