The next time you hear we need vouchers to offer choice to poor children, remember this warning from North Carolina: “When lawmakers first introduced the Opportunity Scholarship legislation back in April 2013, the intent was to provide $90 million over two years to students who reside in households with incomes of up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level – that’s $70,650 for a family of four. Today’s law caps the income eligibility limit for school vouchers at $43,568 for a family of four—a move made perhaps in response to a public outcry over extending the proposed program...
Read more
Leave a Comment Blog
Kansas Center for Economic Growth on why trying to copy the lone star state leaves Kansas struggling
The success or lack thereof of Brownback’s tax plan has a direct impact on education funding. As explained in a recent Wichita Eagle article, “After the economy crashed in 2008, the federal government provided temporary funding to help states limit cuts to schools and other critical services. As the economy improved and that funding went away, Brownback and GOP lawmakers chose not to replace it. Instead, they cut taxes. Brownback told the superintendents that this was the best long-term decision, because if the Kansas economy can grow more, ‘we can fund things.’ But he acknowledged that for school districts,...
Read more
Leave a Comment Budget cuts are real in Galena, Baxter Springs and elsewhere
“Statewide, other school superintendents say they have been forced to make choices similar to those in Galena and Baxter Springs. Classrooms have become more crowded, and staffs have been trimmed. Districts across the state have dropped after-school programs and increased fees.” Budget cuts are real. http://www.joplinglobe.com/topstories/x748030440/Kansas-educators-legislators-await-court-s-school-funding-ruling...
Read more
Leave a Comment Warning on vouchers from Ohio
The next time you hear we need vouchers (or corporate tax credit “scholarships”) to give choice to poor children, think of this warning from Ohio. “Now that Ohio’s sending more than $1 billion this year to privately run Charter Schools and Private Schools through Vouchers, it is important to examine the impact of those decisions made in Columbus have on the 92% of Ohio’s kids that do not attend Charters or Vouchers. The impact is profound. Like asteroid or comet profound.” http://10thperiod.blogspot.com/2014/01/ohios-school-choice-funding-scheme.html?m=0...
Read more
Leave a Comment