The Lost Opportunity of School Vouchers
By: Rene Velez April 7, 2009
As American Citizens we have since the start of this country been afforded free public education. This education played a very important role in the development of our capitalist society although it has been anything but free. In just about every state the majority of the cost of a public school system is absorbed by real estate taxes. A taxing system that is levied base on the underlying value of your home and or business real estate. It does not matter whether you have children in school, or whether you are retired, in the end everyone picks up a piece of the tab. Although this may seem unfair I would suggest that everyone consider the cost of illiterate youth running around your community with no employable skills, and who eventually have families of their own and because of their lack of skills, they and their families, become to some extent or another wards of the state. A cost you will be responsible for. Now, the cost is not so high!
The United States – Socialist Republic of Education
Some of you may have come to realize that although we pride ourselves as a truly democratic nation, our schools system is more socialist than most will admit. We levy taxes on the real estate of the elderly, those without children and businesses as well as those who take the path of private and parochial schools, in order to provide education to the masses. I ask what could be more socialist? In this case I am not mocking the socialist nature of our educational system, however I do have some issues on whether it is effective and whether our system is just. Education needs to be made available to everyone. Education is by far the most effective way to overcome poverty, to solve basic life needs and to create an advanced society that is innovative and productive. Clearly, there are many even in this great country that would not have the means to a basic high school education were it not for public education. But is it the best? Do we sacrifice the notion of a free and democratic society, the right to choose how our children will be taught and what they are taught? In most states public education is under fire for not establishing high standards of education. Graduating students who are barely literate. Morals, ethics and values are not taught. The unfortunate truth is morals, values and ethics are not taught at home either. The administration of our public school system has taken a back seat to the politics of the day. So intertwined are the politics of our school system that often the governing councils don’t listen to the educational scholars who for many years have said we need to reform not only the schools system but methods of teaching. I dare to say we would be much better off separating academia from local and federal politics.
Insult to Injury
In many cases the public school options are so far off track that many parents have decided to make substantial economic sacrifices to “Double Pay” their way towards better education for their children. What alternatives do you have? Private Schools and Parochial Schools, are two options that require you to essentially “Double Pay” for your child’s education. I say “Double Pay” because you pay real estate taxes that support public schools, (which you do not use) and you pay “Full Price” tuition for your choice to produce an educated and productive citizen for this great nation. With any luck that student will also go on to college and will also have the formation of proper values, morals and ethics.
Our current tax code allows you the opportunity to deduct donations you make to qualified charitable organizations. The reason for this is simple. Congress has deemed the benefits charitable organizations provide the community and this country to be so great, you are allowed a deduction if you itemize on your tax return. I consider this very honorable. The benefits to our society are at least four times the billions of dollars donated every year. No government or business could provide the vast number of services that charitable organizations provide. Why? The labor is typically composed of volunteers who receive no pay at all! The insult is that you receive no benefit by producing a productive, educated citizen that is more likely than not to obtain a college education. That’s right there is no deduction for tuition paid for private schooling. Even if the only public education is a failing institution. The greatest, most democratic nation on earth, who claims to be the most productive and innovative of any other nation on earth has not been able to place a value on its most basic of all capitalist elements. The human element of an educated child! Clearly, congress and our politicians have it wrong and we as a free society have also failed to make them recognize this.
Vouchers Systems
The potential for improvement, through educational vouchers for those who choose and can afford to pay for private or parochial education, Pre-K to 12th grade, is significant. We will always need bright talented and motivated youth to lead this country in the future. Knowing this, why not create a voucher system that gives parents tax dollars to place your child in the school of your choice? Even if only a marginal rebate. We as a society need to understand that there are rather harsh consequences to this. For every dollar that is given back as some rebate to parents who’s children are in private or parochial schools there is one less dollar to fund existing public schools. This is a real threat to public school officials, teachers, bureaucrats, unions and of course to those children left with only public schools as an option. In full motion this, change in policy, tends to force issues that are already at play. Forces that would clearly indicate, our public schools system does not in many cases work. The biggest fear is that if you pull money away from public education it could eventually fail economically beyond what may be understood today. On the other hand, the reality is that if every parent that has a child placed in a private or parochial school placed their child in public schools, as is their right, the system would implode anyway. Few parents I have spoken to realize that by placing their children in private or parochial school under the “Double Pay” model, is in essence relieving or “subsidizing” the public school system. A school system that would otherwise have to come up with hundreds of millions of dollars more to find buildings, teachers, books, supplies lunches and a host of other expenses they are not currently incurring. In case you weren’t sufficiently insulted in my previous “Insult to Injury”, now is a good time to turn the other cheek and receive another.
Still vouchers deserve a great deal of merit. If you can come to terms with the fact our public schools system has already failed, then the next step is to look at alternatives to the consequences. This is what we call “looking reality in the face”.
What May Happen Under A Voucher System
(1) Many schools that are failing will be closed and resources would be concentrated into better schools.
(2) A smaller school system may allow the opportunity to focus more on fixing the core issues than on prolonging a failed system. There is no question that educational politics is in the way of a formal educational reform that will lead us into the 21st century. We need start doing different things to arrive at better results. Not everyone is college material, however we don’t have a single mind that should be wasted. Many technical positions and vocational programs can be put in place. At the high school level work and study programs can benefit those in poverty, reduce crime rates and still provide for productive citizenship.
(3) Charter Schools, essentially privately run schools funded by public tax dollars, will eventually become more common. These schools have shown tremendous promise. They typically have a very autonomous governance, so they are less likely to be influenced by politics. They tend to be more economically feasible and cheaper to run since they do not require the administrative layers that are very costly and are the norm in the public school sector. In essence more bang for every tuition dollar. They run like a business, not like a government. They typically have contracts that stipulate bonus dollars for performance. They have the ability to raise funds through charity. Parents can offer to subsidize certain programs. Some cater to certain vocational programs. In my opinion Charter schools are in fact the new generation of public schools.
(4) More parents may stretch that dollar and opt to place their kids in private or parochial schools. A real opportunity to strengthen the cultural and religious fabric of our society.
(5) Public Private School Ventures: This is a hybrid between a charter school and a private school. Essentially tuition is paid for by government, however because of demographics and other economic factors there may not be enough money to fund an entire school, parents would pay a small yearly tuition or pay for some school items such as supplies, books or provide volunteer services. This is a very new concept. At the heart of this system is to recruit parents to be a part of the educational system and essentially buy into education. I don’t know how many times I have heard public school teachers wish parents would attend PTA meetings. My feeling is that parents who pay have a vested interest in the success of the school, and there children.
Conclusion:
There are many challenges that are before us in education. We can not afford as a nation to relegate quality education solely to those who have financial resources to “Double Pay”. This only widens the gap in social class and weakens our political and economic place in the world. We as a society need to recognize that in many cases, public education has already failed. We need to adopt those systems, such as school vouchers, that reward citizens who are progressive about bringing about a better educated young adult. One who has a higher probability of competing in a global setting. We are at a turning point in basic education. We must start to think outside the box and recognize that no one solution will suffice. Variety and diversity in education is what will make this country a nation of nations. Our public school system was modeled at a time when the industrial revolution was in high gear. Our economy and the expectations placed on productive individuals have in fact changed. Yet, our educational system from Pre-K to 12th Grade as not reformed to a global standard. It may well be that our system of government, who oversees public education is no longer capable to deal with the diversity and complexity of an ever diversified public. However, the initiative to provide an education to everyone who is able and capable is still valid. Let’s find a way to break from the bondage of our past and find innovative ways to educate. We should not allow the divisive rhetoric of religion, separation of church and state to not fund parochial schools. Too much is at stake. Saying no to school vouchers is a lost opportunity to explore better models of education.
By: Rene Velez April 7, 2009
As American Citizens we have since the start of this country been afforded free public education. This education played a very important role in the development of our capitalist society although it has been anything but free. In just about every state the majority of the cost of a public school system is absorbed by real estate taxes. A taxing system that is levied base on the underlying value of your home and or business real estate. It does not matter whether you have children in school, or whether you are retired, in the end everyone picks up a piece of the tab. Although this may seem unfair I would suggest that everyone consider the cost of illiterate youth running around your community with no employable skills, and who eventually have families of their own and because of their lack of skills, they and their families, become to some extent or another wards of the state. A cost you will be responsible for. Now, the cost is not so high!
The United States – Socialist Republic of Education
Some of you may have come to realize that although we pride ourselves as a truly democratic nation, our schools system is more socialist than most will admit. We levy taxes on the real estate of the elderly, those without children and businesses as well as those who take the path of private and parochial schools, in order to provide education to the masses. I ask what could be more socialist? In this case I am not mocking the socialist nature of our educational system, however I do have some issues on whether it is effective and whether our system is just. Education needs to be made available to everyone. Education is by far the most effective way to overcome poverty, to solve basic life needs and to create an advanced society that is innovative and productive. Clearly, there are many even in this great country that would not have the means to a basic high school education were it not for public education. But is it the best? Do we sacrifice the notion of a free and democratic society, the right to choose how our children will be taught and what they are taught? In most states public education is under fire for not establishing high standards of education. Graduating students who are barely literate. Morals, ethics and values are not taught. The unfortunate truth is morals, values and ethics are not taught at home either. The administration of our public school system has taken a back seat to the politics of the day. So intertwined are the politics of our school system that often the governing councils don’t listen to the educational scholars who for many years have said we need to reform not only the schools system but methods of teaching. I dare to say we would be much better off separating academia from local and federal politics.
Insult to Injury
In many cases the public school options are so far off track that many parents have decided to make substantial economic sacrifices to “Double Pay” their way towards better education for their children. What alternatives do you have? Private Schools and Parochial Schools, are two options that require you to essentially “Double Pay” for your child’s education. I say “Double Pay” because you pay real estate taxes that support public schools, (which you do not use) and you pay “Full Price” tuition for your choice to produce an educated and productive citizen for this great nation. With any luck that student will also go on to college and will also have the formation of proper values, morals and ethics.
Our current tax code allows you the opportunity to deduct donations you make to qualified charitable organizations. The reason for this is simple. Congress has deemed the benefits charitable organizations provide the community and this country to be so great, you are allowed a deduction if you itemize on your tax return. I consider this very honorable. The benefits to our society are at least four times the billions of dollars donated every year. No government or business could provide the vast number of services that charitable organizations provide. Why? The labor is typically composed of volunteers who receive no pay at all! The insult is that you receive no benefit by producing a productive, educated citizen that is more likely than not to obtain a college education. That’s right there is no deduction for tuition paid for private schooling. Even if the only public education is a failing institution. The greatest, most democratic nation on earth, who claims to be the most productive and innovative of any other nation on earth has not been able to place a value on its most basic of all capitalist elements. The human element of an educated child! Clearly, congress and our politicians have it wrong and we as a free society have also failed to make them recognize this.
Vouchers Systems
The potential for improvement, through educational vouchers for those who choose and can afford to pay for private or parochial education, Pre-K to 12th grade, is significant. We will always need bright talented and motivated youth to lead this country in the future. Knowing this, why not create a voucher system that gives parents tax dollars to place your child in the school of your choice? Even if only a marginal rebate. We as a society need to understand that there are rather harsh consequences to this. For every dollar that is given back as some rebate to parents who’s children are in private or parochial schools there is one less dollar to fund existing public schools. This is a real threat to public school officials, teachers, bureaucrats, unions and of course to those children left with only public schools as an option. In full motion this, change in policy, tends to force issues that are already at play. Forces that would clearly indicate, our public schools system does not in many cases work. The biggest fear is that if you pull money away from public education it could eventually fail economically beyond what may be understood today. On the other hand, the reality is that if every parent that has a child placed in a private or parochial school placed their child in public schools, as is their right, the system would implode anyway. Few parents I have spoken to realize that by placing their children in private or parochial school under the “Double Pay” model, is in essence relieving or “subsidizing” the public school system. A school system that would otherwise have to come up with hundreds of millions of dollars more to find buildings, teachers, books, supplies lunches and a host of other expenses they are not currently incurring. In case you weren’t sufficiently insulted in my previous “Insult to Injury”, now is a good time to turn the other cheek and receive another.
Still vouchers deserve a great deal of merit. If you can come to terms with the fact our public schools system has already failed, then the next step is to look at alternatives to the consequences. This is what we call “looking reality in the face”.
What May Happen Under A Voucher System
(1) Many schools that are failing will be closed and resources would be concentrated into better schools.
(2) A smaller school system may allow the opportunity to focus more on fixing the core issues than on prolonging a failed system. There is no question that educational politics is in the way of a formal educational reform that will lead us into the 21st century. We need start doing different things to arrive at better results. Not everyone is college material, however we don’t have a single mind that should be wasted. Many technical positions and vocational programs can be put in place. At the high school level work and study programs can benefit those in poverty, reduce crime rates and still provide for productive citizenship.
(3) Charter Schools, essentially privately run schools funded by public tax dollars, will eventually become more common. These schools have shown tremendous promise. They typically have a very autonomous governance, so they are less likely to be influenced by politics. They tend to be more economically feasible and cheaper to run since they do not require the administrative layers that are very costly and are the norm in the public school sector. In essence more bang for every tuition dollar. They run like a business, not like a government. They typically have contracts that stipulate bonus dollars for performance. They have the ability to raise funds through charity. Parents can offer to subsidize certain programs. Some cater to certain vocational programs. In my opinion Charter schools are in fact the new generation of public schools.
(4) More parents may stretch that dollar and opt to place their kids in private or parochial schools. A real opportunity to strengthen the cultural and religious fabric of our society.
(5) Public Private School Ventures: This is a hybrid between a charter school and a private school. Essentially tuition is paid for by government, however because of demographics and other economic factors there may not be enough money to fund an entire school, parents would pay a small yearly tuition or pay for some school items such as supplies, books or provide volunteer services. This is a very new concept. At the heart of this system is to recruit parents to be a part of the educational system and essentially buy into education. I don’t know how many times I have heard public school teachers wish parents would attend PTA meetings. My feeling is that parents who pay have a vested interest in the success of the school, and there children.
Conclusion:
There are many challenges that are before us in education. We can not afford as a nation to relegate quality education solely to those who have financial resources to “Double Pay”. This only widens the gap in social class and weakens our political and economic place in the world. We as a society need to recognize that in many cases, public education has already failed. We need to adopt those systems, such as school vouchers, that reward citizens who are progressive about bringing about a better educated young adult. One who has a higher probability of competing in a global setting. We are at a turning point in basic education. We must start to think outside the box and recognize that no one solution will suffice. Variety and diversity in education is what will make this country a nation of nations. Our public school system was modeled at a time when the industrial revolution was in high gear. Our economy and the expectations placed on productive individuals have in fact changed. Yet, our educational system from Pre-K to 12th Grade as not reformed to a global standard. It may well be that our system of government, who oversees public education is no longer capable to deal with the diversity and complexity of an ever diversified public. However, the initiative to provide an education to everyone who is able and capable is still valid. Let’s find a way to break from the bondage of our past and find innovative ways to educate. We should not allow the divisive rhetoric of religion, separation of church and state to not fund parochial schools. Too much is at stake. Saying no to school vouchers is a lost opportunity to explore better models of education.
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