Gov.-elect Rick Scott hints at school vouchers for all at St. Petersburg rally

[cali]

ST. PETERSBURG — Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott on Thursday blew the door wide open to the idea of a voucherlike program for all students, saying he's working with lawmakers to allow state education dollars to follow a student to the school his or her parents choose.

He did not use the term vouchers. Others called it an "education savings account."

But whatever it's called, the incoming governor, key lawmakers and a foundation tied to former Gov. Jeb Bush are setting the stage for Florida to consider one of the most radical education ideas that it — or arguably any state — has ever considered.

"The parent should figure out where the dollars for that student are spent," Scott told the St. Petersburg Times after hinting at the idea in remarks to 900 voucher students in St. Petersburg.

"So if the parents want to spend it on virtual school, then spend it on virtual school," he continued. "If they want to spend it on, you know, whatever education system they believe in, whether it's this public school or that public school or this private school or that private school, that's what ought to happen."

According to Bush's Foundation for Florida's Future, the proposal would allow parents to take an undetermined percentage of the state's per-student funding amount — last year, it was $6,843 — and direct it to the school of their choice, public or private.

<snip>

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/article1139033.ece

[Warren DeMontague]

1. And the best part?

they can spend the vouchers education savings account at a school where their kids will be taught creationism intelligent design, of course

[Obamanaut]

2. There is a recent thread about a teacher who was struck while breaking

up a fight in a classroom and suffered a miscarriage.

There are threads periodically telling us that schools are underperming on a regular basis.

In my own county the public schools just received a lower grade than last year.

It seems to me that if parents are able to take their percentage of the per-student-funding amount to use at a school where they think their child/children can receive a better education in a safer environment, then they should be allowed to do so.

[cali]

3. and that would end public education

btw, the teacher being hit has zippo to do with this. I can list lots of bad things that have happened private schools.

[Obamanaut]

4. If the parents think that an environment where a teacher gets hit in the

classroom is a bad environment for their child, it has something to do with it.

If they think public education is failing their child, it also has something to do with it.

If the parents are not satisfied with whatever private school they send little Johnny to, they can move him.

It is possible for parents to discover, by talking with other parents, the quality of whatever school they are considering for little Johnny. It does not have to be a case of "Ooh, here's a building that says 'School' - out you go Johnny."

[retread]

5. Do you agree a free, universal, high quality, public education system is necessary for a free,

democratic society? If not feel free to advocate for Rick Scott's "education" proposals.

Florida is now governed by those who believe the government has no business providing its citizens with anything, much less an education. The only role they see for government is to aid corporations in adding to their coffers. They are not yet to the point where they can openly and publicly advocate their positions. They need to dumb us down a tad more first.

[Obamanaut]

12. "Is our children learning?" No, they are not. No amount of money thrown

at the problem in the public school system is goint to correct that.

'No Child Left Behind' didn't fix it, and 'Race to the Top' looks more like a 'Stroll to Less Than Average.'

<snip> But compared with the other 33 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries that participated in the exam, the U.S. ranked 14th in reading, 17th in science and a below-average 25th in math, leading Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to say that Americans are being "out-educated." <more at link>

http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/why-are-chinese-students-walloping-us-kids-on-test/19750419

If a parent wants to voucher a share of the tax money that is being under-utilized in the public school system, I think that parent should do it. They don't get the whole amount that the school system is issued, so the system gets a few dollars and their overcrowded classroom problem is reduced.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. It's also possible for parents to insist schools be safer

Parents in my district regularly review discipline records and meet with the superintendent to discuss how they can help improve safety in our schools. They have set up volunteer parent patrols and after school groups to reach out to at risk kids.

Or they could just abandon their local schools.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. +1

[Obamanaut]

13. Refer to response 12, just above nt

[Orlandodem]

6. The Republicans in this state HATE public schools and public school teachers.

Of course, in this day and age so does Obama. He has stabbed us in the back and I am spreading the word. I am going to LMAO when he loses in 2012. He should never have picked a fight with a major Dem constituency. He will not get my vote in 2012. Sorry, Democrats.

[HereSince1628]

7. Yes, elementary and secondary ed are nasty entitlement programs

that teach children (CHILDREN MY GOD!) their constitutional rights, and the basics of civic government and economics.

How the hell can the Kulaks manage the Serfs for the Boyars if the Serfs believe that they have actual RIGHTS?

The ponzi scheme is doomed unless public education is ended.

[madrchsod]

8. vouchers do not work but that won`t stop parents from using them

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. Brownback will propose them in Kansas as well

He's also going after teacher tenure.