[summer]

I know most FR people strongly support school choice, but I would like to say something to lurkers out there who do not, and, who probably do not actually know much about FL:

Remember that FL students now obtaining vouchers in "F" schools are currently attending public schools graded "F" in two grading years -- not just one year. This means the school has:

(1) Already received one "F"

(2) Already received additional funding, additional help, and had a plan to improve;

(3) Despite the additional help, the school did not improve from an "F" to a "D;"

(4) The school received a 2nd "F" in a subsequent year;

(5) Upon receiving this 2nd "F" the state is making Opportunity Scholarships available to these students;

(6) These FL scholarships/vouchers can be used by the student for either a private school or to attend a better performing public school;

(7) Not every student's parents will request a voucher, based on past experience with these schools [IMO, that happens because some parents are truly uninvolved in education, or, some parents may prefer to keep their child in that failing public school for whatever reason]; and

(8) The "F" school will again receive additional funding and resources, and has to come up with a new improvement plan.

Many "F" schools in Florida have improved in FL, and it is quite possible the school will still improve, either with a new principal and/or other changes.

However, if every student decided to bail out of a chronically failing school, and the student does get a better education elsewhere, well -- what is so wrong with that? If your child was the one attending a chronically failing school, wouldn't you want a better opportunity for your kid? I know the arguments against school choice always make it sound like the entire public school system will collapse if one student leaves on a voucher, but, frankly, FL is actually providing school choice and the frightening results predicted by critics of school choice have not happened. BTW, for more info, see:

Opportunity Scholarships info, from the FL Dept of Education

Finally, for both lurkers and FR people, please note that any child who is a low-income FL public school student, and wants out of his or her current public school, does not need to wait for the school to get an "F" grade. This other voucher program, not involving school grades, provides scholarship/vouchers funded by a corporate tax credit. Low income students can choose either a better public school, or a private school. For more info about this program, see the links posted through this essay:

'The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows' -- Part 11: How Jeb's Newest, 3rd Voucher Program Helps Low-Income Students

[summer]

I meant: Many "F" schools have improved in FL...

[ez2muz]

Doesn't an "F" also mean the school's teaching positions are open?
IOW: Teaching positions are "re-competed" inside the "F" grade schools?

[Tacis]

I understand that some schools may be terrible, but vouchers are not the solution and, in fact, could turn into a disaster. The private schools, once close to 90% capacity, will begin to raise tuition (much as colleges raise tuition by the amount of the Pell Grants). Then, "new" private schools will come into the market. The old district, no matter how few students, will have to be funded but the private schools will represent a duplicate system. Eventually, both will be funded by our property taxes. The marginal, loser kids, of all races, will continue to be imprisoned by union teachers and the better kids, mostly white, will do better in the private schools. That is, until the lefties begin to militate against the "better" schools and force them to teach all the liberal crap you get in today's public schools. The better way is to fix the schools we already have.

[summer]

From my post #1:

through this essay: = throughout this essay:

[MeekOneGOP]

Bush bump !

[davidosborne]

Florida leading the way to Education REFORM in America.. I predict SUCCESS for the voucher program in Florida... and hopefully we will see other States across America follow suit... The public education system is in desperate need of competition..

Passing it on..

[daviddennis]

I'm a bit amazed by this - why do so few students in failing schools take the voucher?

I read some peoples' comments, and I find it difficult to believe that over 98% of parents are that blase about having their kids go to a bad school.

D