Life is filled with many issues that are viewed as simply one sided partisan political issues. School choice is, without a doubt, one issue that needs to be removed from this. Opponents will keep trying to throw their negative spin on it but the school choice movement needs to be stronger than the opponents' negativity.
Several states have passed legislation that allow for a variety of school choice paths. One way to allow for choice is through tax credits. These programs, whether they support special needs children or lower income students, give those children a chance at getting a better education. Howard Fuller, who I have seen speak once, is an incredibly passionate man. He beliefs all children deserve a better education and will stop at nothing to keep the fight strong.
This opinion piece, from the ArizonaStarNet, demonstrates how a tax credit program can effectively help many students. Missouri has tried to get similar legislation passed, but unfortunately, the opponents have spread their negative propaganda and succeeded. The reality needs to seep through their messages...our children are depending on us.
School tax credits deserve more support
Tucson, Arizona Published: 12.02.2008
'School choice is the social-justice issue of the 21st century." The first time I heard these words was not from a politician, but from Howard Fuller, a pioneer in the school-choice movement. Fuller, now a professor at Marquette University, was addressing a small group of educators at Notre Dame this summer.
Fuller contends that school-choice programs enable lower-income students to opt out of poorly performing urban schools and enroll in better performing private schools. It is my experience that Fuller's contention is right on the money, and plays out every day in our Catholic schools.
'School choice is the social-justice issue of the 21st century." The first time I heard these words was not from a politician, but from Howard Fuller, a pioneer in the school-choice movement. Fuller, now a professor at Marquette University, was addressing a small group of educators at Notre Dame this summer.
Fuller contends that school-choice programs enable lower-income students to opt out of poorly performing urban schools and enroll in better performing private schools. It is my experience that Fuller's contention is right on the money, and plays out every day in our Catholic schools.
Showing posts with label scholarship tax credits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scholarship tax credits. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
When Will the Madness Stop?
When will people realize things need to change before anything will get better? When will they realize the schools are failing the children? It is hard to take a bold stance against something that hasn’t changed in so many years, it is hard to fight against school systems and administrators, and it is hard to stand apart.
Missouri is facing several important house and senate races. We need to pay attention to who is running and what they stand for. We also need to look at those people who attack people positions and look at their misguided reasoning.
The race between Republican Luann Ridgeway and Democrat Sandra Aust for the 17th senate seat sure is worth looking into.
This is taken from the Kansas City Star:
She talks in general about being for children and being for schools,” Aust said, “but that’s not her voting record.”
Ridgeway says she has never voted for school vouchers that would provide tax money to parents to pay for their children to attend private schools. But Aust says that’s misleading.
“She calls it tuition tax credits, but it’s all the same,” Aust said, adding that it takes taxpayer money away from public schools and shifts that money to religious and private schools. “We need to be lifting up our teachers and our schools, and making sure we’re doing everything we can to improve our schools.”
Aust says it is all the same, but it is not. Tuition tax credits do not take money away from the schools, additionally, there are several types of tax credits, it is impossible to lump them all together. The bill from last session would give tax credits to donors who give to scholarship granting organizations. The students would then use THAT money to choose their school. The original school does not lose money. Two scenarios here: Aust truly doesn’t understand the difference, or she does know the truth and is trying to use scare tactics. I bet I know which one it is...but either scenario is disturbing!
Ridgeway said she has sponsored a bill for tax credits to provide scholarships for low income students in failing schools to attend private schools. She believes the Kansas City School District is on the verge of failing. Urban school districts have asked for more money and more time, she said, while students attending them have gotten less than adequate education.
“We have to continue working on improving the system,” Ridgeway said.
We need to elect someone who can also promote change and fix the failing status quo!!!
Missouri is facing several important house and senate races. We need to pay attention to who is running and what they stand for. We also need to look at those people who attack people positions and look at their misguided reasoning.
The race between Republican Luann Ridgeway and Democrat Sandra Aust for the 17th senate seat sure is worth looking into.
This is taken from the Kansas City Star:
She talks in general about being for children and being for schools,” Aust said, “but that’s not her voting record.”
Ridgeway says she has never voted for school vouchers that would provide tax money to parents to pay for their children to attend private schools. But Aust says that’s misleading.
“She calls it tuition tax credits, but it’s all the same,” Aust said, adding that it takes taxpayer money away from public schools and shifts that money to religious and private schools. “We need to be lifting up our teachers and our schools, and making sure we’re doing everything we can to improve our schools.”
Aust says it is all the same, but it is not. Tuition tax credits do not take money away from the schools, additionally, there are several types of tax credits, it is impossible to lump them all together. The bill from last session would give tax credits to donors who give to scholarship granting organizations. The students would then use THAT money to choose their school. The original school does not lose money. Two scenarios here: Aust truly doesn’t understand the difference, or she does know the truth and is trying to use scare tactics. I bet I know which one it is...but either scenario is disturbing!
Ridgeway said she has sponsored a bill for tax credits to provide scholarships for low income students in failing schools to attend private schools. She believes the Kansas City School District is on the verge of failing. Urban school districts have asked for more money and more time, she said, while students attending them have gotten less than adequate education.
“We have to continue working on improving the system,” Ridgeway said.
We need to elect someone who can also promote change and fix the failing status quo!!!
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