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In reply to the discussion: Why is school choice not a Democratic issue? [View all]upaloopa
(11,417 posts)29. We need to spend tax money on public schools. By not voting for school taxes and bonds
you get lousy schools. The problem is not with the schools it is with the voters.
The right has been turning the public against public schools and teachers for years.
Charter schools do not take all students. By not fixing public schools you will get some students being better off than others. Poor students will be worse off.
If you want your kid in a private school pay for it. It is not the government's job to fund schools for elite kids.
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You also have the option of moving heaven and earth to improve the existing schools
LanternWaste
Aug 2016
#2
but then if a kid they wind up taking is disabled, a trouble maker, or just lousy as a student
dsc
Aug 2016
#80
In Rhode Island, charter schools are public schools and cannot pick and choose students.
hack89
Aug 2016
#115
Thank you to everyone for their spirited response. Great, fair debate is my favorite part of DU. NT.
Doctor Who
Aug 2016
#124
Could it be that a strong public school system is one of the foundation stones of American ideals?
63splitwindow
Aug 2016
#4
Many private "academies" popped up in the '60s to evade school desegregation.
63splitwindow
Aug 2016
#11
it's completely privately funded. There are kids there on scholarship, but those
Exilednight
Aug 2016
#40
That is OK as long as you pay the same taxes you would if your children went to public school.
63splitwindow
Aug 2016
#42
That's not the teachers fault. that's the fault of the community for failing
Exilednight
Aug 2016
#94
The ability to choose the school one attends should be reserved for those who can afford it.
hughee99
Aug 2016
#12
Dr. Who - Welcome to DU... and I'll politely explain our opinion of charter schools
groundloop
Aug 2016
#15
Um...not the opinion of many PA DUers who understand that the Philly charter system is
msanthrope
Aug 2016
#51
Not just PA DUers. Lots of people think charter schools are fine and dandy. They're wrong.
kcr
Aug 2016
#113
You can send your kids to all charter schools are r private schools you want
world wide wally
Aug 2016
#16
No, this isn't about "choice". People are free to send their kids to private school; they're just
Warren DeMontague
Aug 2016
#133
We need to spend tax money on public schools. By not voting for school taxes and bonds
upaloopa
Aug 2016
#29
Actually---in Philly, they do. Philly charters are district granted and overseen, and are by
msanthrope
Aug 2016
#46
I am. And I'm kinda surprised you haven't taken the time to study the Philly model
msanthrope
Aug 2016
#53
You will note the ignorance on this thread about the nature of charters in Philly....
msanthrope
Aug 2016
#45
I don't disagree. But the problem is that you cannot expect parents who must educate
msanthrope
Aug 2016
#77
Better to ask why the Philly schools suck and what can be done to fix it. n/t
lumberjack_jeff
Aug 2016
#57
because "school choice" is a way to funnel public school funds to religious institutions, basically.
Warren DeMontague
Aug 2016
#59
^^^THIS^^^ is where choice takes you:choosing who gets rich on your tax dollars
lindysalsagal
Aug 2016
#87
In some large districts, they are experimenting with choice among public schools.
aikoaiko
Aug 2016
#83
In Maryland the teachers in the charter schools belong to the same teacher's union as everyone else.
Vattel
Aug 2016
#91
I don't think smaller classes are needed everywhere, by the way, which would cost tons.
Vattel
Aug 2016
#95
You might want to look at an HBO documentary about a Baltimore public high school
Vattel
Aug 2016
#112
Where I live, this has busted unions and made public schools worse and all schools much less diverse
gollygee
Aug 2016
#100
Because good schools ARE a Democratic issue. ALL schools should be treated equally.
tonyt53
Aug 2016
#101
Another reason: There are disabled and other special learning needs children in our schools.
Ilsa
Aug 2016
#105
I'll boil it down for you: It's a long-term RW ploy to destroy the public school system....
Hekate
Aug 2016
#123