Interesting that the private school and voucher supporters always throw out Sweden, Belgium, etc as models. Yet the same conservatives use them as well as failed systems of "socialism". They want it both ways.
Another thing the voucher supporters here seem to keep ignoring is my question... in the guise of first amendment do you actually want your and my tax dollars in the form of vouchers going to schools that discriminate on the basis of religion and/ or sectarian beliefs? That as done in the South when they formed "academies" in the 50's and 60's to re-segrefate their schools and keep their kids from attending school with Black kids.
For once I want a response instead of the usual flag waving of freedom of speech and beliefs. Of course we have that, but if you want to do that do it with your own dollars not mine.
Oh, I already know their answer: the usual stuff about governmental supported schools supporting government values. Complete rubbish and nonsense... the same conservatives who complain about governmental interference will complain about the values of a few being shoved down their throats. So, suppose someone sets up a school for gay people... will you conservatives complain about tax dollars for vouchers for gay students? Or accept that along with the fundamentalist schools that receive the same voucher money? Schools for white supremists? schools for supporters of Black separatism? schools for Santeria followers? Follow your line of reasoning and there is no reason not to use tax dollars for whoever wants to open a school for UFO believers. I'm not talking about denying them their right to believe this... I AM denying that they should receive TAX DOLLARS to do so. And that's where my hospital analogy is relevant.
I as talking to a friend who taught for 42 years in Philadelphia where they have 30 or 40 charter schools. I mentioned this discussion. He laughed and said that all but 2 or 3 have scores that match or are better than the publics. The rest lag behind in testing. A dirty little secret the advocates of charters don't want to publicly acknowledge.
This country has to make a decision... do we want to educate every child or not? Is there equality or is there not? Do we fund education adequately or allow certain places to lag and languish?
Do we want a multi-tiered system and Balkanization of education?