Top Indiana senator rebukes voucher school program in new letter

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10 thoughts on “Top Indiana senator rebukes voucher school program in new letter

  1. We ask for accountability with most every use of tax dollars except what we give to charter schools.

    Why not? Do we not care about educational outcomes or tax dollars being used wisely?

    As we’ve grown the voucher program, outcomes have gotten worse. Why is the response we need more vouchers, that it couldn’t be the growth of non-public schools?

  2. Public funds should have the same accountability and rules regardless of what school they might be directed to. It’s that simple. Don’t want the accountability and rules, don’t take public funds.

  3. It would be nice if this skepticism of privatizing our traditional public schools were based on something other than personal interest. He’ll roll over soon and fall in line once again with the GOP privatizers who are dead-set on destroying Indiana’s constitutionally mandated system of public education. The evidence is in: The big Republican/Mind Trust/Bill Gates idea of inserting the profit motive into our schools is failing. The GOP response: Double down, and if it screws Indianapolis in particular, all the better.

    1. Richard S.

      The concept behind for profit schools ( though flawed ) is to give parents
      an alternative from failing school districts that they reside in.
      Kids trapped in failing school districts pay a high price also. Your future
      being determined by your zip code is not just either.

      I’m NOT on the charter school bandwagon either. Many problems there.

      But parents need an alternative if they feel that the school district that they live
      in is not serving their child’s needs. Unfortunately, most parents caught in this
      trap can’t afford to just up and move.

      Remember, pupblic schools are supposedly under strict oversight, but yet
      have many problems with test scores and conducive learning environments.

    2. Futures unfortunately are determined by zip code in many ways … schools are just one of them.

      I’d prefer to see the state take over failing schools with their own teachers and own administrators… but I think they’re hesitant to do that, because a) it would cost them money and b) the very real risk they wouldn’t do any better, and might do worse. But education doesn’t seem like an arena in which “the free market” can truly, broadly, apply to everyone.

  4. As usual the “journalists” are confused
    There is no such thing as “voucher schools” there are private, parochial, and charter schools that accept vouchers as payment
    No one “has to move” to send their kid to a public school (the fact that families rejected the public school in their area is conveniently omitted from the story)
    Lastly and I spent all day researching this— the parents and kids are free to leave any time!

    Yes, Democrats, these schools have a different governance system than public schools that families agree to upon enrollment. Other than vague accusations, the outrage here is a kid that missed a few games. This got past the “journalists” but I would bet the school has a written policy prohibiting public displays of affection, and unlike public schools, actions have consequences.

    The real question is; why does this politician care? Was the kid who got in trouble his nephew, or is his sister an office holder in the teachers union?

    1. Not accurate, Chuck. You can (say) live in Wayne Township and try to send your kid to Avon. Avon is able to reject you. If you want to guarantee going to Avon schools, you have to move to the Avon school district.

      But you are correct – if you’re at a private religious school, and you find out that they have ignored your pleas to give your bored high achieving daughter enrichment work … because they only do that for the boys … your only option is to pull your kids. This, I know from direct experience.

      We make welfare recipients jump through hoops to receive public assistance. Why are non-public schools that receive public assistance free of such obligations, yet feel entitled to government funds?

      I also know from experience that church food pantries turn down government assistance because they are not allowed to mandate attendance at church services to recipients … if they take government funding. So it’s not as though churches aren’t willing to turn away restrictions.

    2. Chuck, I agree this seems like a reach on Mishler’s part. It sounds like his own son currently or at least at some point has attended the school in question, so I’m guessing you’re right that he has a personal connection to the student. I also agree that this article missed a LOT of pertinent info including the school policy that led to an athletic suspension. However, I would also argue that the lack of visibility and accountability for any school receiving vouchers is a problem and needs to be addressed.

      Joe B, unrelated to this article…but if anyone is participating in a proclaimed Christian church that is mandating attendance to receive assistance they need to seriously evaluate their life choices. That’s the most sacrilegious thing I’ve heard in a while.

    3. Kevin – not weekly attendance, attendance to the service that is part of the food distribution.

      If you take government money and use it to buy food, you can have a service as part of the food distribution … you just can’t deny food to people who’d rather step outside and not participate.

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