List of AISD schools facing closure

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by Austin97

I would be in favor of vouchers within the public school system. But definitely not into private schools.

It's our tax money- we should be able to educate our kids in the best way we desire. Private schools, religious schools, special ed schools, why not?

[mimimomx3]

Charter schools and for profit schools are doing great, and many have waiting lists. Vouchers would just push that along.

[centralaustinite]

For profit schools make me very nervous! I wouldn't choose one.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

For profit schools make me very nervous! I wouldn't choose one.

Why do they make you more nervous than public schools?

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

For profit schools make me very nervous! I wouldn't choose one.

It would depend. I wouldn't discount it out of hand, and I think that having a profit driven school as an option is a good thing. Interesting article: The New Trend In Education: For-Profit Schools | Carrie Lips | Cato Institute: Daily Commentary

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

It's our tax money- we should be able to educate our kids in the best way we desire. Private schools, religious schools, special ed schools, why not?

Private schools arent forced to take everyone like public schools are. By allowing anyone to take their tax dollars out of the school system you change the ratio of special needs to regular kids and destroy the viability of the public school system.

I think competition between schools within the public school system for voucher dollars would do enough to improve the schools. My main issue is when any entity can count on its customers having to come back regardless of service, the service inevitably deteriorates.

Finally, I pay around 18K in property taxes. By taking the average kid out whose parents potentially pay less in taxes, they are actually taking some of my money to go to a private school. I am strongly against tax dollars going to fund:

1) experimental schools with new ways of teaching
2) religious schools of any sort

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

For profit schools make me very nervous! I wouldn't choose one.

Harvard, Yale, Duke, and Stanford are for profit schools. I bet you would be happy to send your kids there if you could.

I am a strong supporter of good public schools. But I don't per se see a problem with for profit schools.

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Harvard, Yale, Duke, and Stanford are for profit schools. I bet you would be happy to send your kids there if you could.

Proof? I do not think that they are run for profit! That is why contributions to them are tax-deductible! They do not have shareholders or owners who "own" the "business" privately.

All the schools you mention as well most traditional private colleges are not run for profit. St. Andrews School and St. Stephen's School in Austin for example are not for profit business but non-profit educational foundations.

For profit schools make me nervous because I do not like the underlying business model. I don't want my tuition or tax dollars going to the shareholders bottom line, I want it to enrich the educational experience and go back to be invested in the school.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by Austin97

Private schools arent forced to take everyone like public schools are. By allowing anyone to take their tax dollars out of the school system you change the ratio of special needs to regular kids and destroy the viability of the public school system.

I think competition between schools within the public school system for voucher dollars would do enough to improve the schools. My main issue is when any entity can count on its customers having to come back regardless of service, the service inevitably deteriorates.

Finally, I pay around 18K in property taxes. By taking the average kid out whose parents potentially pay less in taxes, they are actually taking some of my money to go to a private school. I am strongly against tax dollars going to fund:

1) experimental schools with new ways of teaching
2) religious schools of any sort

As one who has had her children in both public and private schools, you do realize that when my children were in private school, my taxes were going to pay for your child's public school while my children were getting no benefit fromthe public schools whatsoever, correct? So, to be really fair, it would only make sense that a voucher for the portion of my property taxes that goes to support your child's school be given to me, using your reasoning.

I didn't cry about that then, because the most valuable thing to me is an educated citizenry no matter WHERE the money comes from. But I would have been just as justified in doing so as you are with your argument above.

That being said, I think that a voucher system that is limited to public schools would create a certain accountability that can't be achieved in any other way - the parents would determine the best schools for their children and vote with their voucher dollars. Those schools that lost the vote would have incentive to improve in order to draw students. Which is, of course, pretty much how private schools work - the ones that do well by their students get more students, those that don't, don't.