Choice Works

Posted July 6th, 2008 at 07:05 AM by B is for Business
in

Of every 100 freshmen entering a Chicago public high school, only about six will earn a bachelor's degree by the time they're in their mid-20s, according to a first-of-its-kind study released Thursday by the Consortium on Chicago School Research.

'We need more money.'

"Conclusion: A large number of high-quality studies show that vouchers improve academic achievement. No such study has ever found that vouchers hurt academic achievement"

'We need more money.'

The benefits of this idea, which has come to be known as school choice, are numerous. Studies show that school choice leads to better test scores for all students and higher graduation rates. They show that parents are more satisfied and involved with their child’s school, and that school choice saves taxpayers millions of dollars. And they show that public schools respond positively to competition

'We need more money.'

Let's get this done already.

'We need more money.'

If it can work in Los Angeles, it can work in Chicago!

'We need more money'.

This is why most people are scared to do what's best for the kids.   It's going to be a fight and the teacher unions are not in favor of an idea that introduces horrible ideas like competion and accountability.   You really have to watch the video to appreciate this...

'We need more money'

Illinois provides a tax credit covering educational expenses for students in any private or public school, including tuition, books and lab or activity fees. The credit is worth a maximum of $500. This makes it a little bit easier for families to choose a private school for their children.   The Illinois Federation Teachers and the Illinois Education Association filed a lawsuit preventing this.

'We need more money'

Rather than implement a proven idea to make our schools better, let's do whatever it takes to get more money no matter how stupid the idea is.

'We need more money'

The ideology that removes choice and then increases dependency on those who made it that way has been and always will be catastrophic.   The results speak for themselves.   I was listening on the radio a couple of days ago where the big teachers groups had come back from some conference.   Does anyone want to guess what they were asking for? 

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On July 6th, 2008 at 10:54 AM, Corben Rice said:

 Search Youtube Milton Friedman: Education for the rest of the series.

 

Check this out at about:41 minutes. Great stuff.

Milton Friedman

 

Your link 3rd from the bottom was great.  Gotta love Drew Carey.

Thanks for a great post B.

On July 6th, 2008 at 12:12 PM, Anonymous (not verified) said:

Anyone who supports school choice is a racist, unpatriotic and hates America.

Regnad Kcin's picture
On July 6th, 2008 at 12:59 PM, Regnad Kcin said:

YES!!!  YES!!!  Bravo!

On July 6th, 2008 at 03:55 PM, ManicMondayMomma said:

Smaller parent-controlled schools. That's the answer for people who don't (for whatever reason) homeschool. Peronalized instruction. Lower student to teacher ratio. More parent involvement. Many families, even here in CU, are making this happen on their own.

B is for Business's picture
On July 6th, 2008 at 11:17 PM, B is for Business said:

"Your link 3rd from the bottom was great.  Gotta love Drew Carey."

He did a FANATASTIC JOB on this piece!

I'm amazed by the claim that the school needed 3 years of perfect paperwork to fire a teacher.

"I'll give up on a teacher faster than a 14-year-old kid".

"We don't build schools for the teachers".

At the same time, in the end it was the teachers who got the signatures to put the program in play.   Kudos to them!

"Anyone who supports school choice is a racist, unpatriotic and hates America."

We can do better than 6 in 100 getting college degrees from Chicago Public Schools.  We can do much better!

On July 8th, 2008 at 09:07 PM, Anonymous (not verified) said:

That's the answer for people who don't (for whatever reason) homeschool.

Here are a  few reasons.  Despite what you might think, most parents aren't capable of being effective teachers.  Secondly, most people aren't in the financial position to stay at home, not draw a paycheck, and support their family as well.  In addition to that, part of going to school is social interaction with peers.  I'm only speaking from my own personal experience, but I think that a larger majority of home school kids ( at least the ones I've personally interacted with) are somewhat socially akward (also described as 'wierd').  Not all of them, but more than the rest of the population as a whole. 

I'm assuming by your post that you do home school.  I'm not trying to offend you and I'm sure that your kids are fine.  But again, that's just my observation.