Public Education
Governor Jeb Bush initiated the nation's boldest voucher experiment in June of 1999 when he signed into law his Opportunity Scholarship Program. Florida is the first in the nation with a statewide plan allowing state-paid tuition for children in "F" graded schools to attend private schools or other non-failing schools. Opponents claim that giving parents the choice to use state education funds at private schools could end up bankrupting the public education system so many children rely upon. Proponents of vouchers argue the voucher program will give parents a way to help children trapped in failing schools. Matthew Berry, a staff attorney with the Washington, D.C. based Institute for Justice, believes, “As far as public money going to private education, it's just like college students who use their [federal] Pell grants to go to Notre Dame”(Soriano 18). I was happy that on March 14, 2000 Leon County Circuit Court Judge Ralph Smith declared the voucher plan a violation of Florida's constitution. I don't believe that vouchers will solve Florida's education problems.
Jeb Bush and Frank Brogan, the former Commissioner of Education in Florida, have made education their number one priority. After months of studying, arguing, lobbying, and dealing, they presented the A+ Plan to the Florida Legislature and it passed. Under this plan, "All schools will be graded 'A' through 'F' based primarily on state assessment test scores and other data which includes attendance, dropout rate, discipline data, and student readiness for college" (Voucher and Accountability for Public Schools). When a school is graded "F" for two years in a four year period, the children become eligible for vouchers which allow...
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...ournal 18 July 1999: B3.
Ladner, Charles. Telephone interview. 5 March 2000.
Nazareno, Analisa. “Tuition voucher foes launch pricey campaign to sway public
opinion.” Miami Herald 16 February 2000: B3.
Peltier, Michael. “Florida School Voucher Plan Ruled Unconstitutional.” Tallahassee
Democrat 14 March 2000: C1.
“Questions and answers on the education initiative.” Pensacola News Journal 18 July
1999: A1.
Soriano, Jennifer. “Vouchers: Choice or Neglect?” Shewire 16 March 2000: 18.
Streater, Amie K. “For some students, the road to an education is uphill, lonely.”
Pensacola News Journal 24 October 1999: A8.
Walsh, Erin. “Children fight to learn, even before class starts.” Pensacola News Journal 24 October 1999: A9.
Wilgoren, Jodi. “Florida’s Vouchers a Spur to 2 Schools Left Behind.” New York Times 14 March 2000: D5.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that vouchers aren't the answer to poverty-stricken families.
- Compares the reading scores of the two voucher schools compared to hellen caro elementary, in escambia county.
- Explains how parents at failing schools had to decide whether to request a voucher for their children to attend private school, request another public school or stay at their own school.
- Argues that vouchers violate florida's constitution, which states that the state provides a free education through the public school system.
- Explains that the escambia county school system released its academic profile of the students who left the failing schools, but the results were inconclusive.
- Opines that vouchers won't solve florida's education problems. jeb bush and frank brogan presented the bush a+ plan to the florida legislature.
- Opines that jeb bush's emphasis on education has focused unprecedented attention and resources on the florida schools.
- Quotes walsh, erin, and wilgoren, jodi. florida’s vouchers a spur to 2 schools left behind.
Related
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- explanatory
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- The Effectiveness of the Voucher Systemanalytical essay...whether or not voucher programs are benefiting the nations educational system it is clear that the benefits are not outweighing the risks. There is so much time and energy being spent on legal battles throughout the nation, when the federal Supreme Court has already declared that vouchers are within the rights of the Constitution (Garnet, 2005). It is pointless to waste so much time drawing attention to the legality of the school choice system and vouchers when you could be spending that time improving the implementation of the voucher programs across the nation, which would actually benefit the students (Manuel, 2006). In conclusion, voucher systems cannot be beneficial to students when they are not being effectively implemented and they cannot be effectively implemented when politicians and state leaders would rather argue than work together to improve the system.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the supreme court of the united states ruled that publically funded school-voucher programs that include religious and private schools are permitted under the first amendment’s religion clause.
- Analyzes the impact of school choice threats on the accountability of schools since the implementation of "no child left behind".
- Opines that the general voucher system allows only some children to receive a publicly funded education through private schools that are not subject to the uniformity requirements of the public school systems.
- Analyzes how school choice threats encourage the implementation of vouchers as a sort of punishment for failing schools, but that type of system cannot be effective in improving overall learning.
- Explains that the voucher system affects post-secondary education in many ways, including enrollment. the colorado opportunity fund is a school voucher program passed in 2004 as the first voucher-based approach to actually aid in financing higher education.
- Explains the colorado voucher program was implemented because the political leaders believed that more students would choose college if only they appreciated the size of the investment the state was making on their behavior.
- Opines that quality education is the right of every student regardless of whether or not voucher systems are implemented.
- Explains that the voucher system is a way for parents to have some say in school choice for their children.
- Concludes that voucher systems can accelerate the convergence of information and standards by allowing people outside an organization to initiate changes within it via financial means.
2376 wordsRead More - She realized that choice and accountability were not the answer, but that curriculum and instruction were more viable solutions to America’s educational dilemma. Ravitch suggests that to abandon public schools is to abandon the institution that supports our concepts of democracy and citizenship and to the promise of American life (Ravitch, 2011, p. 12-14). The idea of school choice is rooted in Milton Friedman’s essay concerning the government’s role in education. Friedman asserted that society should support and contribute to the maximum freedom of the individual or the family. He maintained that the government should provide vouchers to help support parents financially on their children’s education, which parents could use at the school of their choosing; so long as the school met set standards. Therefore, this creation of choice would stimulate competition, which Friedman believed would increase the development and improvement of nonpublic schools, as well as, create a variety of school options (Ravitch, 2011, p. 115). As a result of the choice movement, the public received three versions of school choice: voucher schools, private schools, and charter schools. Each of these schools receives public funding, but do not operate as traditional public schools, and are not managed by a government agency (Ravitch, 2011, p. 121). Charter schools became the most popular choice of this new
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how diane ravitch explores her ideological shift on school reform and the empirical evidence that caused this shift.
- Analyzes how the implementation of the no child left behind act applied a market approach to school reform to improve the school system.
- Analyzes how ravitch returned her support to the preservation of american public schools. she realized that choice and accountability were not the answer, but that curriculum and instruction were more viable solutions to america's educational dilemma.
- Analyzes ravitch's argument that charter schools are disadvantageous compared to public schools. they can attract academically motivated students and implement stringent discipline codes that would otherwise be challenged by the judicial system.
- Argues that nclb's implementation of accountability and testing in reading and mathematics was the silver bullet that would improve the school system.
1088 wordsRead More - School Vouchers: Parents Need a Choiceanalytical essayWestEd. (1999). What we know about vouchers the facts behind the rhetoric. Available: http://www.WestEd.org. Last accessed 16th Mar 2011.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that a 1998 empirical study by wested found consistencies among parents who utilize education vouchers. the study used evidence from three voucher system programs in milwaukee, wisconsin, cleveland, ohio, and new york city.
- Explains that voucher programs are best utilized by those with a college education or some college training versus those without.
- Explains how the blaine amendment affects pennsylvania's choice on school vouchers. the constitution is outdated, open to frivolous non-political thought, and lacks a true spirit in establishing an effective voucher system.
- Opines that each constitutional section is supposed to protect the people of the commonwealth, yet educationally it doesn't. parents should have the choice of using their tax dollars to send their children to effective schools.
- Opines that south carolina needs a change, as the achievement gap widens between races and charter schools moving in and out.
- Explains that school choice is rapidly growing in georgia. the state currently has two private school choices, the georgia special needs scholarship and the tax credit scholarship.
- Explains that a 1998 empirical study by wested found consistencies among parents who utilize education vouchers. the study used evidence from three voucher system programs in milwaukee, wisconsin, cleveland, ohio, and new york city.
- Explains that voucher programs are best utilized by those with a college education or some college training versus those without.
- Explains how the blaine amendment affects pennsylvania's choice on school vouchers. the constitution is outdated, open to frivolous non-political thought, and lacks a true spirit in establishing an effective voucher system.
- Opines that each constitutional section is supposed to protect the people of the commonwealth, yet educationally it doesn't. parents should have the choice of using their tax dollars to send their children to effective schools.
- Opines that south carolina needs a change, as the achievement gap widens between races and charter schools moving in and out.
- Explains that school choice is rapidly growing in georgia. the state currently has two private school choices, the georgia special needs scholarship and the tax credit scholarship.
- Argues that the 14th amendment protects all people. the ohio state enacted wide-ranging educational reform that allows voluntary participation of private and religious schools in educating poor urban children.
- Explains that the center for education reform is a great resource for parents and school choice supporters.
- Analyzes how the d.c. school choice coalition vows aggressive fight to save voucher program after congressional gains.
- Explains the center for education reform's choice options state by state.
- Argues that the 14th amendment protects all people. the ohio state enacted wide-ranging educational reform that allows voluntary participation of private and religious schools in educating poor urban children.
- Explains that the center for education reform is a great resource for parents and school choice supporters.
- Analyzes how the d.c. school choice coalition vows aggressive fight to save voucher program after congressional gains.
- Explains the center for education reform's choice options state by state.
4616 wordsRead More - Separtion of Church and Stateexplanatory essayLeaming, J. (n.d.). Voucher programs propt debate over meaning of separation of church and state. Retrieved March 12, 2011, from www.freedomforum.org: http://www.freedomforum.org/packages/first/schoolvouchers/part2.htm
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the constitution of the united states was written to give citizens certain privileges and rights in the way of free thought and freedom.
- Explains that the first amendment prohibits the federal government from declaring and financially supporting a national religion. the separation of church and state would theoretically have no religious bearing on the government or the supreme court when making decisions.
- Explains that everson felt the cost of transportation violated the establishment clause because the state had to reimburse the parochial schools. the "wall of separation" that maintains between state and church in the constitution was viewed.
- Explains that in parochial schools, parents are given vouchers to help pay for private schools. in 1973, the high court invalidated a new york state program that provided tuition reimbursement to poor parents.
- Analyzes how the supreme court ruled that prayer in public schools violated the first amendment's proscription when establishing religion. many parochial schools continued with the prayer tradition and other communities suppressed it.
- Explains that the ten commandments are one of the most religious displays that are publicly displayed both in schools throughout the world.
- Explains that holiday displays have been challenged in the public schools. menorahs and crèches are imprimaturs on a particular religion.
- Explains that a public school teacher epperson sued arkansas for violating the establishment clause and the first amendment right of freedom of speech. fundamentalist christians felt evolutionary theories contradict the biblical account of creation.
- Opines that learning about religion does not sway their own opinions, but it is important that we teach children good values and being good to one another.
- Cites cohn, a. l. (2011, january 5). ten commandments, other displays & mottos. retrieved march 12, 2011.
- Explains that voucher programs propt debate over meaning of separation of church and state.
- Cites oyez's article, "epperson v. arkansas".
1245 wordsRead More - The charter school program aimed to allocate educational resources via market mechanism by shifting towards freedom of contract. However, the plan unfairly mixes individual decision making with the expenditure of public tax dollars. Moreover, the competition through which legislators sought to improve education throughout state schools has failed to materialize as students enrolled in Michigan charter schools remain a drop in the bucket.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the charter school movement seeks to have greater individualism in determining how one’s children should be educated by moving towards freedom of contract.
- Opines that their skepticism of the competitive mechanism created by charter schools applies only to charter school inability to compete with public schools.
- Argues that the charter school movement represents a limited shift towards freedom of contract, which unfairly mixes individual decision making with the expenditure of public tax dollars.
- Argues that charter schools are based on an irrational notion of competition. they argue that the community needs to reach consensus on how best to educate its youth.
- Opines that the salvation lies in charter schools or an individualist approach to educating children. cooperation is the means by which we will improve schools in michigan.
1953 wordsRead More - The No Child Left Behind act of 2001explanatory essayControl of the public education system has been left to the State for most of the country’s history, it was not until the 1950’s that the federal government played a role in categorical programs, but the national government refrained from involvement in academics until the 90’s. Three days after taking up his position in office, George Bush announced his plan for the No Child Left Behind act (NCLB) which was a consolidated reform of the 1962 Elementary and Secondary Education Act or ESEA (McGuinn, p. 1). ESEA focused on providing resources for the underprivileged students, whereas the NCLB act focuses on all students in public schools. On January 8, 2002, the No Child Left Behind act was enacted. The law enlarged federal education spending, required states to design and administer proficiency test to all students grades three and up, demanded that States put qualified teachers in every class room, and promised to hold all States accountable for the performance of their public schools (McGuinn, p. 1).
In this essay, the author
- Explains the no child left behind act of 2001, which was a consolidated reform of the 1962 elementary and secondary education act or esea.
- Opines that the nclb act of 2001 is a solution to america's failing public education.
- Explains that the nclb act sought to create a structure that all states could base their public education system off of.
- Explains that the no child left behind act of 2001 was designed to improve education and achievement in america's schools by requiring yearly testing in reading and math, and academic improvement that will be gradually raised.
- Explains that the nlcb act has raised the importance of high school graduation by making americans aware of the statistics.
- Explains that the nclb act gives opportunities to students who face extreme adversity, allowing them to receive an education and become successful in today's economic circumstances by giving them access to different forms of support.
- Explains that the u.s. department of education's nclb act is reaching goals. by 2007, all fifty states had an accountability plan in place and were testing students in grades three and up.
- Explains the pros and cons of the nclb act, but does it outnumber the cons? test scores have been improving since the act was enacted, especially in areas with large low-income communities and minority students.
- Argues that the nclb act is lacking in areas that were not seen when it was created ten years ago.
- Explains that president obama and his staff are putting together what he has called "the blueprint" for a reform of nclb.
- Explains president obama's plan to reform the nclb act includes more waivers for schools giving them relief from the “more onerous provisions” that were called on by presidents bush’s act.
- Opines that the no child left behind act was created to better public schools, but an update is necessary to keep up with the times and aid the american people.
1984 wordsRead More - No Child Left Behind Programanalytical essayMost educators and parents would desire an educational system where all students receive a balanced education that will afford all students the ability to compete in our ever changing society. This desire is great among students who live in economically challenged environments and those who attend poor schools. These students are at most risk of receiving a a proper education. This is partly due to lack of funding, and the inability for those poor schools to afford highly qualified teachers. Much controversy stems from this issue, poor schools not being able to afford highly trained teachers, students not having access to improved curriculums and extraordinary dropout rates. In an effort to combat these issues, the Bush administration implemented an act that purported to help schools to receive necessary funding for qualified teachers and to close the racial and ethnic gaps, known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA). However, the NCLBA failed to deliver on its promises and left already struggling schools and children in disarray attempting to reach government mandates rather than ensuring a balanced education for every student.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the unfair mandate to reach quotas changed the educational paradigm from educating to reaching specific numbers. the act failed to address the ever pressing problem of educational resources and the shortage of highly qualified teachers.
- Cites behind, n. c. l., "no child left behind." title iii: language instruction for limited english proficient and immigrant students.
- Explains that the bush administration implemented the no child left behind act in 2002 to ensure a balanced education for all students.
- Concludes that the no child left behind act failed by instituting unreachable goals and failed to close the racial ethnic achievement gap.
- Cites darlinghammond, l., & center on education, p.
1149 wordsRead More - Education Reformexplanatory essayEducation reform in the United States has recently come under scrutiny after many recent failed proposals. President George W. Bush implemented one of the most popular choices of education reform with his “No Child Left Behind” system. However, that policy reform in the past five years has faded to nothing more than a mistake. This mistake has haunted the education systems in America, but it is not the only reform proposal to shake up the school systems across the States. One new proposal that has caught the eye of some current state politicians is the idea of school choice. School choice is giving the option to parents to take their children to different schools, which is different from assigning children to schools based on the location of their houses. Does giving the parents of children an option to choose what school their child goes to create a spirit of competition? That is partly the goal with the school choice reform policy proposal along with many other facets that can completely revitalize the education system in the United States. The stipulations of this proposal involve a variety of suggestions to help strengthen the core of our education system.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that education reform in the united states has come under scrutiny after many failed proposals, such as president george w. bush's "no child left behind" system, which has faded to nothing more than a mistake.
- Explains that eighty-percent of private schools in the united states are religiously affiliated. private schools operate under the religion of catholicism.
- Explains that the current school choice system in place in america has its high and low points. the foundation of this system comes from milton friedman's idea that competition between schools would drive the american education system to another level.
- Explains the background of the voucher system, which goes hand in hand with the school choice program, comes from the idea of competition.
- Explains that publicly funded vouchers are paid for with taxpayer dollars, which creates problems within school systems in states.
- Explains that the cost and benefits of the school choice policy proposal are still under review. it is still something that is gaining steam within the united states education system.
- Analyzes dan goldhaber's arguments for and against the school choice system in america.
- Opines that both supporters and opponents have valid opinions on this education reform proposal, and each side feels it has the upper hand in increasing the strength of the american public education.
- Explains that both sides of the argument have great points as to why it would be efficient or not efficient, but what is the actual outcome on students?
- Opines that the implementation of school choice in the united states is not something that will completely change the foundation of education.
- Explains that if school choice reform has an effect on education, it can spread from racial segregation to diminishing public school finances.
- Opines that the system has shown its benefits, and its flaws, but the overall idea about school choice is relatively positive.
- Cites brasington, david. "school choice and perceived school quality." economic letters 116.3 (2012): n. pag. web. 23 nov.
- Cites goldhaber, dan, goodman, john, and kafer, krista. "choices in education: 2005 progress report".
- Cites huffington post's article, "u.s. falls in world education rankings, rated 'average'."
1561 wordsRead More - Theoretical Benefits of No Child Left Behind Lawanalytical essayTitle I, Part A, headlined "Closing the Achievement Gap for Disadvantaged Students," shows that America has am emphasis on true democratic ideals. There is an obvious oppression that is keeping all students in America from having the same starting point, which inhibits America acting as a true free market society. Some children are destined to failure due to where they get their education. President Bush and his advisors show that this is their main focus on NCLB in a few different ways. The first can be seen by it being the focus of Part A of the Title I (Bush, 2002). The second can be seen by how they have made it mandatory for states to develop a "system of sanctions and rewards to hold districts and schools accountable for improving academic achievement" (Bush 2002). Another way the Bush administration makes it clear that schools need to focus their efforts on reducing the achievement gap is by the provision in Title I where students in failing schools must be offered public school choice, while disadvantaged students will be offered assistance in making a switch from a failing school (Bush 2002). This emphasis on clos...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that president bush signed the no child left behind bill in january 2002 calling for the country to change the mode of production of children through the educational system.
- Analyzes how president bush's emphasis on closing the achievement gap for disadvantaged students is one of the brilliant efforts put into nclb.
- Argues that nclb takes away funds from lower performing schools instead of giving them the necessary funding for them to catch up' to other schools that aren't considered failing.
- Explains that nclb doesn't hide the fact that it's up to the school or district to make the most out of the latitude and support that they receive from the federal government.
- Explains the risky, but great addition to nclb is the parental involvement that is going to be forced upon the school for decision-making and accountability purposes.
- Explains that there is strong support for the ideas behind nclb, but also a strong opposition to the law, which raises serious questions and perspectives that require the attention of anyone in support.
- Analyzes how michigan's meap testing has narrowed the curriculum, and states that the nclb proposal requires states to set challenging standards in history and science. the emphasis on performance in four curriculum areas and no mandatory efforts for incorporating the arts or character building lesson plans makes it difficult for children to build character.
- Analyzes how the bush administration is missing the democratic part of jefferson's plight for schooling with the narrowing of instruction towards teaching to the tests that the schools future will rely on.
- Analyzes how the federal government won't be able to give the proper support for the provisions in nclb.
- Opines that nclb is causing stirred emotions from opponents due to its lack of real connection to what actually works in education.
- Opines that the bush administration isn't the only group of people that say there exists a problem in our educational institution.
- Opines that nclb is a plausible run for being beneficial to our educational system because it doesn't accept failure in the work towards equality for all.
- Opines that one law won't solve the problem, but it can be a step towards equality, and nclb is just that.
- Describes mckenzie, j., do as we say not as we do: the great gamble on teacher
3179 wordsRead More - Public Education In Americaopinion essaySince 1983 public education has been an issue in America. The system has been constantly changing every year with reforms. This constant change has been driven by the American people’s perception that education has declined and something should be done about it. First there was an increased emphasis on basic skills, making school years longer and more graduation requirements. Second, many began focusing on increasing teachers professionalism. Third, they began restructuring many things such as how the schools were organized and how the school day was structured etc. Now today the most of the American people believe that not enough money is given to public schooling. They associate academic improvement with the money the school is funded. But I believe otherwise. Spending more on education will not improve academic success but diverse teaching methods will.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that public education has been an issue in america since 1983. the system has changed every year with reforms driven by the american people's perception that education had declined.
- Explains that public education funding is at an all-time high in america. there is no problem with the funding for schools, but a problem on how the money is distributed.
- Opines that academic achievement has a lot more to do with someone as an individual. students with different backgrounds and family lives tend to have different beliefs and outlooks on life.
- Opines that american citizens and policy makers should inquire whether historical evidence and academic research supports the view that government spending money on education will improve academic success.
573 wordsRead More