Columbia Public Schools board member Ines Segert has been receiving criticism lately for her decision to enroll her son in the private Columbia Independent School.
The quality of education at this school is revered throughout the community. Which is obvious given the fact that parents, including Dr. Segert, think it is worth 10 grand a year per child.
Dr. Seger's decision reminds us of the importance of fairness in Missouri's education. As legislation currently stands, Charter Schools (or free public alternative schools) are not allowed in Columbia (or anywhere in the state for that matter--besides Kansas City & St. Louis). Therefore, those that can not afford the cost of private institutions are basically stuck, leaving parents powerless against poor performance or unmotivated teachers.
This controversy can also be used to illustrate that school choice efforts SUPPORT public schools. When parents are given options, ALL schools are held accountable, therefore public schools improve and all children are better educated!
School choice must enter any public and political discussion on education!
School choice up to parents
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
CEAM Charter School Video
The Children's Education Alliance of Missouri (CEAM) sets the record straight! After seeing the truth, how could anyone disagree with the promise charter schools offer?! Academie Lafayette is a perfect example of the hope this reform offer can bring.
Missouri needs more charter schools! In fact, as law currently stands, these schools are only allowed in Kansas City and St. Louis. But ALL of Missouri deserves this promising opportunity. ALL families deserve educational options. MORE charter schools in ALL areas of the state will significantly help the current education crisis!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
School Tax Credits Help Kids and the State
The financial slowdown is prompting many families who can no longer afford both taxes and private school tuition to move their children into public schools. The accelerating closure of private schools in urban areas will only add to the pressure. Public schools will suddenly need to spend more -- even as tax revenues drop. With this kind of budget problem, lawmakers need to take a look at an important benefit of programs that make it easier for families to choose private schools: School choice means huge savings for state and local governments.
There is a way to avoid getting slammed by huge new demands for public school spending while saving money and improving education: A broad-based, moderate-size education tax credit would help families stay in private schools and save their children from burdening taxpayers with the public schools' (much greater) price tag. The credit would also help others make the switch to the private sector, easing the burden on taxpayers even more.
Education tax credits reduce the amount a taxpayer owes the government for each dollar one spends on his child's education or on scholarships for children who need them. That money comes straight off a person's tax liability, so it's a dollar-for-dollar benefit: You can send it to the government or use it on the kind of education you want to support. Tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations help support school choice for lower-income families.
Legislators and overburdened taxpayers have literally $millions$ of reasons to support school choice!
School Tax Credit Can Help Kids and the State by Adam Schaeffer of the Cato Institute's Center for Educational Freedom.
There is a way to avoid getting slammed by huge new demands for public school spending while saving money and improving education: A broad-based, moderate-size education tax credit would help families stay in private schools and save their children from burdening taxpayers with the public schools' (much greater) price tag. The credit would also help others make the switch to the private sector, easing the burden on taxpayers even more.
Education tax credits reduce the amount a taxpayer owes the government for each dollar one spends on his child's education or on scholarships for children who need them. That money comes straight off a person's tax liability, so it's a dollar-for-dollar benefit: You can send it to the government or use it on the kind of education you want to support. Tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations help support school choice for lower-income families.
Legislators and overburdened taxpayers have literally $millions$ of reasons to support school choice!
School Tax Credit Can Help Kids and the State by Adam Schaeffer of the Cato Institute's Center for Educational Freedom.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Black Neighborhoods Support More Parental Options
Matching Missouri's 2007 Show-Me institute research, parents in Virgina have high levels of dissatisfaction with their public schools and overwhelmingly support school choice for parents.
The majority black neighborhoods favored a variety of educational reforms including tax credits for personal or corporate donations to K-12 scholarship funds, grants to allow students with disabilities to attend the private school of their choice and public charter schools.
It is inspiring to see this support for fairness of opportunity through school choice. And it is time to provide new options for Missouri children at risk of failure, regardless of ethnicity or income. Give the people what they need!
Survey conducted by the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy and the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO).
Read More on the Issue
The majority black neighborhoods favored a variety of educational reforms including tax credits for personal or corporate donations to K-12 scholarship funds, grants to allow students with disabilities to attend the private school of their choice and public charter schools.
It is inspiring to see this support for fairness of opportunity through school choice. And it is time to provide new options for Missouri children at risk of failure, regardless of ethnicity or income. Give the people what they need!
Survey conducted by the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy and the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO).
Read More on the Issue
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Home Schooling is on the Rise
KSDK Report
Research shows over 1.5 million children are being home-schooled nationwide.
Though traditionally they were seen just as conservative Christians, the survey proved that more and more families are utilizing home-schooling as a means of school choice. Home school can help ensure personal attention and provide an option outside of the public schools.
Theses options are the key to school improvements and ensuring every child receives a proper education.
Research shows over 1.5 million children are being home-schooled nationwide.
Though traditionally they were seen just as conservative Christians, the survey proved that more and more families are utilizing home-schooling as a means of school choice. Home school can help ensure personal attention and provide an option outside of the public schools.
Theses options are the key to school improvements and ensuring every child receives a proper education.
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