http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2010/01/24/opinions/doc4b5899611e622323956261.txt#blogcomments

DISPATCHES: Keep public schools public
Thursday, January 21, 2010 1:41 PM EST
By Hank Kalet, Managing Editor

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   Bret Schundler may be the state’s leading proponent of school vouchers.

   The former Jersey City mayor, who twice ran unsuccessfully for governor, has been an outspoken advocate for using public money to help pay private-school tuition. And if newly sworn-in Gov. Chris Christie has his way, Mr. Schundler will be the state’s new education commissioner.

   With this appointment, it seems pretty clear the governor is not just firing a warning shot at the New Jersey Education Association, the state’s teachers union. He is making it clear he plans to push one of the conservative establishment’s pet causes during his four-year term in office.

   ”We agree on the type of significant reform that needs to happen in our educational system here in New Jersey,” he said in announcing his education choice last week (The New York Times). “I want a strong, reasonable, bold leader who’s going to help me implement those policies.”

   Advocates for school vouchers say they create competition among schools and improve education for all students. The theory is, by giving low-income parents a portion of the money that otherwise would go to their public school, they will be able to pay tuition so their children can attend better private or parochial schools. The threat of losing students — and money — then would spur the public schools to improve, improving quality for all students.

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Only an ideologue could fail to agree that the “schools” are a failure. Despite what the teacher’s union tells us on TV. They have failed in educating. AND, in failing, they have done it at a price we can’t afford.

So why not try “vouchers”?

(1) It reinforces the idea that the cost of educating a child is NOT that of the parents. (I didn’t have them so why to I have to educate them. I don’t feed them, clothe them, or make any choice about them.

(2) There is no Number 2.

Since I can’t get out from under the burden of paying to ecuate Other People’s Children, then let’s have vouchers which might EVENTUALLY result in my escape from this unfair levy!

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