Comments on: Right-wing “Opportunity Scholarships” vs. Real Opportunity

By: MrsTarquinBiscuitbarrel

MrsTarquinBiscuitbarrel — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:16:24 +0000

The greatest horselaugh in the so-called “voucher” program is that it doesn’t come anywhere near paying what D.C. private schools charge. Not to mention how hard it is to get one’s kid admitted if you’re not rich, well-connected, start working the refs at the pre-K level or before, or all of the above. Transferring in at upper grades is near-impossible. My own kids have gone to religious day schools both inside and outside the District; it was a real shock to see how hysterical some parents of preschoolers got about securing admission to secular private schools. As though that guarantees them a perfect life! Even some grads of prestigious schools such as Sidwell Friends, St. Alban’s, Field School, etc., grumble at having to “settle” for perfectly good–but not posh–public and private universities. They don’t know how lucky they are to go to college at all, these days.

As a District resident, I worry about EVERYONE’S children’s education. I want our tax dollars to make public school clean, safe, and supplied with what the students need to learn. The vast majority of D.C. public-school students ARE African-American. Why pull a few out, rather than providing quality public schools for all?

By: ThingsComeUndone

ThingsComeUndone — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:43:54 +0000

Ask what would it take to raise test scores Free Organic breakfast and Lunch, Summer school, Year round schooling, Longer school hours?
I never believed private school was the answer look at Bush! I came from a good public school, so did my dad the fact I’m writing here today shows that they can work.

By: earlofhuntingdon

earlofhuntingdon — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:21:35 +0000

Why try to fix DC’s problem-plagued public school system? It’s like trying to deliver clean water to city residents. [The water from DC’s taps, with high solids and metallic content, is only a tad better than the Potomac’s.] Instead, spend a tenth of the amount needed to do that and siphon off a few bright, religious kids to private schools owned by mostly Gooper bidness people. The other kids can keep chewing on the lead paint in all those Victorian houses and schools. Then they’ll be happy wherever they are.

I think Congress spent far more on its years-in-the-making new ueber-secure visitors’ center than it did on this so-called education initiative for DC residents. In short, this initiative was another way to direct public tax dollars to private enterprise, the be all and end all of the CheneyBush administration. Education? Not so important.

By: Twain

Twain — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:11:03 +0000

Not only that but who would mow the lawn?

By: wangdangdoodle

wangdangdoodle — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:09:31 +0000

I don’t think profit is their only, or primary, motive.

It’s worse than that.

They do not want an educated electorate.

By: nahant

nahant — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:08:53 +0000

Not so off topic… no reporting of what McPain has done so far… Lou once had my respect has turned into a fucking hypocrite. Lou just said
Obama made a promise to only use public money lying bastard!

By: nahant

nahant — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:06:13 +0000

ZED but with the Lake going up and down today it is no wonder the pups are else where today… Good post Isiah. This is just another ploy to destroy the public school system. And doing so will limit those students and families to get quality education. Big money is really just trying to outsource another government system so they can make more profit… profit profit… that is their only real belief make m oney at the expense of the little guy. They really don’t give a shit about education for those who cannot afford to send their children to the privatwe schools that the rich can easily afford.

By: yellowdogD

yellowdogD — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:05:59 +0000

OT already; sorry, I just came in.
Lou Dobbs’ lead story is “Barack Obama breaks promise to American people”.
Withdrawing from public funding.
Obama made no such promise. IIRC he said, very early in the primary season, that he would consider working out a deal with Repug Candidate if he won the nomination. That’s no promise in my estimation.