Some States Put Parents in Charge

Some States Put Parents in Charge of Student Spending
Education Week
Ariana Prothero
February 24, 2015
http://criticalperspectivesineducation.blogspot.com/p/about.html

The article from Education Week highlights a trending education among states like Florida and Arizona that monies for education are being put into the hands of families to decide what school is best for their students. The programs may be taken to look like voucher programs, but there is a nuanced difference between the Learning Scholarship Accounts in Florida and the Education Savings Accounts in Arizona. In Florida the programs are aimed at low to low-middle income students and those with disabilities. The Arizona program is similar and focuses on those with disabilities and exceptional learning requirements. Vouchers have received some negative push back from public school advocates and teacher's associations. This seems like an interesting approach to individualizing the needs for students, but diverts public money to private interests. The intended audience is educators and educational policy makers. The article is particularly of interest to new teachers since this is some of the job reality we possibly may be looking at.
This is a copy of an Oregon House Bill from this year:
Oregon: HB2770, “Oregon Empowerment Scholarship Program”
Students who previously attended public school and have either disabilities, are wards of juvenile courts or the state department of human services, or qualify for free and reduced-price meals would be eligible.

Vouchers Vouchers, everywhere

Valerie Strauss
"Vouchers Vouchers, everywhere"
Washington Post
April 4, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/vouchers_vouchers_everywhere/2011/04/04/AFf3v6fC_blog.html?wprss=rss_educationTopic: Ideas for improving education

This is an article discussing vouchers in light of the recent supreme court ruling in support of a voucher program. The article goes on but I just don’t see why parents should not be able to pull their kid from school, and shift the money that would have normally been spent to a private school.
The downside I can see is administrators and unions who lose out on their cut of the money but as far as the kids go, I only see benefit.
Key Points: One argument is that many of these private schools are “religious”. My reply is twofold. First, so what, that’s the parent’s and kids choice. Secondly, I view atheism as just as much of a religion as anything else and is often pushed with religious fervor in the public schools. Some kids and parents don’t believe in that so they want an alternative.

Relevance: The emergence of vouchers as an option is one that will definitely be at the top of debate because the implications are the undermining of union and government control. The upside is choice for parents and kids. As for teachers, they will be needed in either case but will most likely be used as pawns in the debate.