Word change ups chances for school vouchers

[flashl]

A new poll shows voters are willing to overcome their dislike of spending tax money on religious-school vouchers because it's tied to a popular classroom-spending plan.

TALLAHASSEE --A majority of Florida voters don't want to spend public money on private and religious schools -- but they'll probably vote by large margins to do it in November, anyway, according to a new poll.

The reason: A tactical decision by the state Taxation and Budget Reform Commission to combine private-school vouchers with a proposal to ensure that 65 percent of every education dollar is spent in the classroom.

Known as the "65 percent solution," the measure is so popular that 63 percent of voters would approve the constitutional amendment if the election were held today, according to the new poll from Quinnipiac University.

But if vouchers stood alone on the ballot, only 38 percent of voters would favor it, with 56 percent opposed, the poll found.

"The incredible power of the 65 percent solution is that people will vote for something they don't much like to get it," said Peter Brown, the Connecticut-based university poll director who regularly surveys the largest swing state in the nation.

Miami Herald

[iamthebandfanman]

1. they have to vote

to ensure atleast 65 percent is spent in the classroom? wtf? sounds like someones not doing their job at the school system, not a need for a vote.

just say no to vouchers. fund public schools.

[glowing]

2. I'm really tired of this being ramed down our throats.. the SC said it

was unconstitutional.. I don't know why these ass hats keep sticking it to us.. so much for Repigs.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. That 65% solution is evil

Our union researched it last year when our state was considering it.

The guy who originated this idea owns overstock.com. Needless to say, he isn't getting my business.

[ulysses]

4. didn't you have some more information on it?

I want to be able to refute it as necessary.

Terrified of your new sig pic, btw. :D

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Here are a couple sites with some info

http://www.pta.org/archive_article_details_1138313002656.html

http://www.firedupmissouri.com/fce_memo_revealed

[ulysses]

6. thanks!

:hi:

[donco6]

7. This is so dumb.

The accounts separating "instruction" from "noninstruction" are set by the National Center for Education Statistics. NCES has determined that "instruction" includes only those things that concern a teacher's interaction with a student. Thus, teacher salaries, benefits, classroom supplies and materials, instructional equipment and some dues/fees, subscriptions and other purchased service type items are "instructional".

What's NOT instructional? Counselors. Nurses. Social Workers. Deans and TOSAs. Staff Development. Payroll and Accounting. Technology. Transportation. Food Service. Custodians. Maintenance. Community Services. Utilities - heat, lights, water, phones. Postage. And of course, no administration of any kind.

So what do you think gets cut under this scheme? To make up the 65%, you have to lose counselors, nurses, social workers, etc. etc.

The division between instruction and non-instruction is so completely artificial. But people eat this stuff up.