Comments on: Was He Stupid or Lying? Durbin-Blagojevich Edition

By: Pajamas Media » School Choice Gains Ground

Pajamas Media » School Choice Gains Ground — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:00:03 +0000

[...] destroying children’s lives, and have come around on school choice. And every time the NEA or Sen. Dick Durbin get caught lying about vouchers, it gets that much more uncomfortable for responsible leaders to [...]

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:25:39 +0000

I think a tax credit system would work best…nothing gets people interested in cost-containment than having to spend their own money (even if they get it back later in the year). They get to choose their own schools and those schools are accountable to them (they only get funding when the parent picks that school). Corporate tax credits can be offered to help low-income children receive scholarships (for those worried about income inequality problems).
Charters are good, but since anything the government funds must be held accountable through endless miles of red-tape, charters aren’t a long term solution.

PS, with tax credit or voucher, good schools can come to the parents, rather than the parents having to buy homes near the good schools…

By: michael mazenko

michael mazenko — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:44:43 +0000

Regarding charters, which I believe are preferable to vouchers, and more realistic –

From the Denver Post:

“Colorado charter schools continue to grow — adding schools, students and more diversity, according to a study released Tuesday by the Colorado Department of Education.

“It’s fascinating to see as time goes on, statistics and laws of nature take over and charters end up looking like everyone else,” said Jim Griffin, president of the Colorado League of Charter Schools.”

As I’ve noted before, in Colorado, open enrollment and the growth of charters is the preferred model. This is preferable to a general statewide voucher system which is not needed or desired because for at least three quarters of families, the neighborhood school is preferable, and people move into neighborhoods for the schools. Thus, a voucher system isn’t necessary, nor in demand, though I would concede that some voucher advocates want the option of private schools, and that concern should be addressed.

It’s also important to remember there is regular opposition from the communities of struggling schools when districts attempt to close them. Thus, the support for the neighborhood model is still high. I applaud the growth of charter schools as well, and I will continue to support the system of choice that exists in Colorado.