The voucher effect

[Anonymous]

Excuse me if this has already been covered, but would private schools that accept tax dollar vouchers have to meet the same accreditation standards and provide the same Standards of Leaning as the public schools? Would their teachers have to meet the same licensing and recertification requirements?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just for people to consider. Look how FCPS board boosters treat parents upset by early release:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/1273170.page

And you think those same parents should turn out to vote down vouchers?

What exactly does that thread have to do with vouchers?

You base your vote (to defund public schools) on anonymous comments on a mommy website?

“Everybody else” makes you do terrible things, huh?

I will base my vote on how the Public School treats my family. Lying and disrespect will not get my support. It’s not terrible to opt out of an abusive system.

The question was what does that thread have to do with vouchers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just for people to consider. Look how FCPS board boosters treat parents upset by early release:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/1273170.page

And you think those same parents should turn out to vote down vouchers?

What exactly does that thread have to do with vouchers?

You base your vote (to defund public schools) on anonymous comments on a mommy website?

“Everybody else” makes you do terrible things, huh?

I will base my vote on how the Public School treats my family. Lying and disrespect will not get my support. It’s not terrible to opt out of an abusive system.

The question was what does that thread have to do with vouchers?

It’s an example of something that has nothing to do with the issue of the week (the boundary study) where FCPS is alienating the parent body. The same parents they will be begging to vote against vouchers.

[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.

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.

Falls Church City has early release Wednesdays almost every week in elementary school and once a month in middle school.
https://www.fccps.org/page/calendars

Ok. But Arlington and Loudoun and other systems of size do not. Loudoun even specifically backed off such a plan because they took parent inputs.

Arlington had early release Wednesdays for years.

Fairfax County did too, on Mondays, up until about 15 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Falls Church City has early release Wednesdays almost every week in elementary school and once a month in middle school.
https://www.fccps.org/page/calendars

Ok. But Arlington and Loudoun and other systems of size do not. Loudoun even specifically backed off such a plan because they took parent inputs.

Arlington had early release Wednesdays for years.

And now does not. Presumably because they understand that their parent population overwhelmingly works outside the home and expecting adults to be home at noon on Wednesday is intensely disrespectful. Almost as disrespectful as the claim that warehousing kids in the auditorium doesn’t detract from instructional time. Truly it’s insulting. And when you point these very basic things out you’re told you’re MAGA.

Uh yeah we do. We got rid of early release EVERY Wednesday around the same time FCPS did but we have always had at least 5 early release days in the calendar for professional development.

If this truth insults you, I’m sorry, but I try to post the truth.
-15+ year APS teacher, FCPS parent

Yes, you don’t have eight (I just checked) and they’re not announced at the beginning of school and they’re not blamed on the state “dropping” requirements on you, which is what FCPS did last year.

We have 7 for elementary (5 PDs and 2 parent conferences) and 5 for secondary. To be pendantic, when you said “now does not” you did not say that they have lessened the number of days to 5-7, but said we do not. And to be specific about last year, we had entire days off added to the calendar, not half days, but the half days were there as well.

You seem to be acting out of emotion rather than logic as you are simultaneously arguing that FCPS is warehousing kids in an auditorium (which was proven wrong earlier by posting a schedule of activities) and that expecting parents to pick kids up early is awful, but 7 times a year is okay where as 5 times is fine. In short, r “argument” is not logical.

Kids who actually attended the “childcare” reported being sent to the cafeteria with the Chromebook's and told to be quiet. That’s warehousing no matter what you put on the website as the “schedule”.

The argument is as follows: lying to parents that early release was about DOE requirements in 2025, lying to parents that early release in 2025 was a limited event, and then lying to parents about what the kids are doing does not make you a credible party. Arlington did not claim that they were forced to do early release, and as you say they used early release that was already in their schedule long before VDOE requirements came down to do the training.

Dare I say you are lying to me? You might be because you are again misunderstanding and misquoting me. As I reported earlier and will repeat again for you. Last year APS had 5 PD days (+2 for ES) AND they added at during the summer 3 full days of no school for kids to accommodate Youngkin’s VDOE requirements. They did NOT use the already existing 5 days of PD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just for people to consider. Look how FCPS board boosters treat parents upset by early release:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/1273170.page

And you think those same parents should turn out to vote down vouchers?

What exactly does that thread have to do with vouchers?

You base your vote (to defund public schools) on anonymous comments on a mommy website?

“Everybody else” makes you do terrible things, huh?

I will base my vote on how the Public School treats my family. Lying and disrespect will not get my support. It’s not terrible to opt out of an abusive system.

The question was what does that thread have to do with vouchers?

It’s an example of something that has nothing to do with the issue of the week (the boundary study) where FCPS is alienating the parent body. The same parents they will be begging to vote against vouchers.

No, the PP was concerned about she was being treated by anonymous DCUM posters, not FCPS.

Again, what do the posts on that thread have to do with vouchers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just for people to consider. Look how FCPS board boosters treat parents upset by early release:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/1273170.page

And you think those same parents should turn out to vote down vouchers?

What exactly does that thread have to do with vouchers?

You base your vote (to defund public schools) on anonymous comments on a mommy website?

“Everybody else” makes you do terrible things, huh?

I will base my vote on how the Public School treats my family. Lying and disrespect will not get my support. It’s not terrible to opt out of an abusive system.

The question was what does that thread have to do with vouchers?

It’s an example of something that has nothing to do with the issue of the week (the boundary study) where FCPS is alienating the parent body. The same parents they will be begging to vote against vouchers.

No, the PP was concerned about she was being treated by anonymous DCUM posters, not FCPS.

Again, what do the posts on that thread have to do with vouchers?

Read the thread. See how parents are treated when they disagree with the school board decisions. The thread includes lots of examples of how Reid waited until the last five minutes of a meeting so no one could object, made misleading statements in her email about the dates, etc.

Now tell me these parents should feel like they’re valued by FCPS and should vote away their only ability to make changes.

[Anonymous]

Vouchers are coming. Glad to see it. Public education will survive and where there is competent leadership thrive. Just not in FCPS until there is drastic change.

[Anonymous]

So many right wing loonies on the FCPS and AAP boards right now. Back to school and election silly season has them acting out again and threatening vouchers and private school. Whatever. Complain away. Yell into the void. FCPS is a public school with over 160,000 kids. Reid isn't going to be able consult every individual parent on every decision she bas to make. That's impossible. Her job is to make the best decisions she can to advance education and opportunities for the most students. If you don't like the way she is doing her job that she was hired to do, then put your application in. Go for it! See how you deal with having to make these decisions and having lunatic parents yelling in your face, calling you names, threatening your life, and generally muddying every conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many right wing loonies on the FCPS and AAP boards right now. Back to school and election silly season has them acting out again and threatening vouchers and private school. Whatever. Complain away. Yell into the void. FCPS is a public school with over 160,000 kids. Reid isn't going to be able consult every individual parent on every decision she bas to make. That's impossible. Her job is to make the best decisions she can to advance education and opportunities for the most students. If you don't like the way she is doing her job that she was hired to do, then put your application in. Go for it! See how you deal with having to make these decisions and having lunatic parents yelling in your face, calling you names, threatening your life, and generally muddying every conversation.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many right wing loonies on the FCPS and AAP boards right now. Back to school and election silly season has them acting out again and threatening vouchers and private school. Whatever. Complain away. Yell into the void. FCPS is a public school with over 160,000 kids. Reid isn't going to be able consult every individual parent on every decision she bas to make. That's impossible. Her job is to make the best decisions she can to advance education and opportunities for the most students. If you don't like the way she is doing her job that she was hired to do, then put your application in. Go for it! See how you deal with having to make these decisions and having lunatic parents yelling in your face, calling you names, threatening your life, and generally muddying every conversation.

Two things:

1) When you dismiss legitimate complaints about FCPS as “MAGA” or “right wing”, you go a long way toward hollowing out the Democratic Party. It’s akin to making an argument that you don’t want me in your coalition. That might not impact whether a Democrat gets elected in deep blue Fairfax, but are you sure you want to turn away people from the Democratic Party? Is that going to get Dems back into power? I’m incredibly frustrated with what’s going on at the national level. I’m also mad as hell at what this school board is doing. The school board is doing one hell of a job recruiting me for the Republican Party.

2) can you point me to the posting for the superintendent job? Otherwise, your point about people being able to apply for it just comes off as unserious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just for people to consider. Look how FCPS board boosters treat parents upset by early release:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/1273170.page

And you think those same parents should turn out to vote down vouchers?

What exactly does that thread have to do with vouchers?

You base your vote (to defund public schools) on anonymous comments on a mommy website?

“Everybody else” makes you do terrible things, huh?

I will base my vote on how the Public School treats my family. Lying and disrespect will not get my support. It’s not terrible to opt out of an abusive system.

The question was what does that thread have to do with vouchers?

It’s an example of something that has nothing to do with the issue of the week (the boundary study) where FCPS is alienating the parent body. The same parents they will be begging to vote against vouchers.

No, the PP was concerned about she was being treated by anonymous DCUM posters, not FCPS.

Again, what do the posts on that thread have to do with vouchers?

Read the thread. See how parents are treated when they disagree with the school board decisions. The thread includes lots of examples of how Reid waited until the last five minutes of a meeting so no one could object, made misleading statements in her email about the dates, etc.

Now tell me these parents should feel like they’re valued by FCPS and should vote away their only ability to make changes.

Why do you think this board is FCPS?
Why do you think that your desire to get rid of the public schooling system because you are mad wouldn’t be met with derision from people who use the public service?
You are proposing to tear down a public good because you are mad. People are disagreeing with you and all you can say is ‘You aren’t treating me right?” Keep in mind this is a mommy board, not a school board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just for people to consider. Look how FCPS board boosters treat parents upset by early release:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/1273170.page

And you think those same parents should turn out to vote down vouchers?

What exactly does that thread have to do with vouchers?

You base your vote (to defund public schools) on anonymous comments on a mommy website?

“Everybody else” makes you do terrible things, huh?

I will base my vote on how the Public School treats my family. Lying and disrespect will not get my support. It’s not terrible to opt out of an abusive system.

The question was what does that thread have to do with vouchers?

It’s an example of something that has nothing to do with the issue of the week (the boundary study) where FCPS is alienating the parent body. The same parents they will be begging to vote against vouchers.

No, the PP was concerned about she was being treated by anonymous DCUM posters, not FCPS.

Again, what do the posts on that thread have to do with vouchers?

Read the thread. See how parents are treated when they disagree with the school board decisions. The thread includes lots of examples of how Reid waited until the last five minutes of a meeting so no one could object, made misleading statements in her email about the dates, etc.

Now tell me these parents should feel like they’re valued by FCPS and should vote away their only ability to make changes.

Why do you think this board is FCPS?
Why do you think that your desire to get rid of the public schooling system because you are mad wouldn’t be met with derision from people who use the public service?
You are proposing to tear down a public good because you are mad. People are disagreeing with you and all you can say is ‘You aren’t treating me right?” Keep in mind this is a mommy board, not a school board.

1. I don’t, this is a discussion of why parents, including liberal parents who would prefer public school, are becoming alienated from that school.
2. Meeting people with derision doesn’t get them to vote for what you want.
3. It’s certainly not “all I can say” but no one seems to have an answer for “why won’t FCPS start respecting the needs of working parents”. If you have an answer to that please share it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many right wing loonies on the FCPS and AAP boards right now. Back to school and election silly season has them acting out again and threatening vouchers and private school. Whatever. Complain away. Yell into the void. FCPS is a public school with over 160,000 kids. Reid isn't going to be able consult every individual parent on every decision she bas to make. That's impossible. Her job is to make the best decisions she can to advance education and opportunities for the most students. If you don't like the way she is doing her job that she was hired to do, then put your application in. Go for it! See how you deal with having to make these decisions and having lunatic parents yelling in your face, calling you names, threatening your life, and generally muddying every conversation.

Two things:

1) When you dismiss legitimate complaints about FCPS as “MAGA” or “right wing”, you go a long way toward hollowing out the Democratic Party. It’s akin to making an argument that you don’t want me in your coalition. That might not impact whether a Democrat gets elected in deep blue Fairfax, but are you sure you want to turn away people from the Democratic Party? Is that going to get Dems back into power? I’m incredibly frustrated with what’s going on at the national level. I’m also mad as hell at what this school board is doing. The school board is doing one hell of a job recruiting me for the Republican Party.

2) can you point me to the posting for the superintendent job? Otherwise, your point about people being able to apply for it just comes off as unserious.

This. Vouchers will be decided at the state level, not the county level. Alienating even *some* of deep blue Fairfax is how you all of VA gets vouchers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many right wing loonies on the FCPS and AAP boards right now. Back to school and election silly season has them acting out again and threatening vouchers and private school. Whatever. Complain away. Yell into the void. FCPS is a public school with over 160,000 kids. Reid isn't going to be able consult every individual parent on every decision she bas to make. That's impossible. Her job is to make the best decisions she can to advance education and opportunities for the most students. If you don't like the way she is doing her job that she was hired to do, then put your application in. Go for it! See how you deal with having to make these decisions and having lunatic parents yelling in your face, calling you names, threatening your life, and generally muddying every conversation.

Two things:

1) When you dismiss legitimate complaints about FCPS as “MAGA” or “right wing”, you go a long way toward hollowing out the Democratic Party. It’s akin to making an argument that you don’t want me in your coalition. That might not impact whether a Democrat gets elected in deep blue Fairfax, but are you sure you want to turn away people from the Democratic Party? Is that going to get Dems back into power? I’m incredibly frustrated with what’s going on at the national level. I’m also mad as hell at what this school board is doing. The school board is doing one hell of a job recruiting me for the Republican Party.

2) can you point me to the posting for the superintendent job? Otherwise, your point about people being able to apply for it just comes off as unserious.

No one is dismissing your complaints. I have been arguing with you here and I AGREE with your COMPLAINTS. We are disagreeing with your idea that vouchers will help solve the issues you are raising. The idea that blowing up the system to get what you want is harmful to me and my kids. It isn’t going to touch the schoool board.

In simple language:
We agree with your complaints.

We disagree that your solution will help.