[Alberta's Child]

It should be noted that renters pay property taxes, too. They just don't know it because the taxes are built into their rent payments.

[dd5339]

I'd love to see President Bush put a tax credit or tax rebate into the next tax reform for people who chose to educated their children in private/parochial/home schools.

When the revenues start falling off in the public schools they may start to wake up and realize that they are failing.

Semper Fi

[anniegetyourgun]

I never get any value for these tax dollars since my child is in private school. I put her there because she has 'special needs' that the government school couldn't handle. Her special needs are for something better than mediocrity, and her unwillingness to settle for a lousy education in an unsafe environment.

[Lizavetta]

Are you getting your money's worth from public education? The answer is "yes" if you send at least one kid to public school, especially if you live in a lower-priced house.

The answer is "definitely yes" if you send more than one kid to public school.

The answer is "no" if you do not have children.

And the answer is "definitely no" if your kid attends private school.

And if you homeschool, it's even more depressing.

[Mr. Bird]

The argument for publicly funded schools is predicated on the notion (and a convincing one at that) that society is better served by an educated populace. The problem with public schools falling short is a relatively new one, exacerbated by national teachers unions and control moved from local to near-national control.

As someone who does not have children, and does not plan on having any in the near future, I pay dearly for the idea of a workable public school system. I do not object to that premise. However, as the years go by, I am increasingly convinced that the what the government is providing is not an education, but a variation on daycare.

I think the simplest assessment of the current situation is that no one is getting their money's worth.

[Gophack]

definately no.

[ReaganIsRight]

No way in H***! I worked for a manager in PA, who lasted less than a year (he lied to get his job and was a total waste product -- Columbia U grad) who was married to a teacher.

For 82K a year (1995 bucks) we had a woman who was a Special Ed teacher (this is the bottom of the bottom of the college graduates) that finagled her way into teaching 6th grade math. For 1 1/2 years she would bring her students questions home to her husband and get back the next day with the answer. I can't believe this moron told me this more than once! Of course, he was a lib.

[Tribune7]

There are many, many gym teachers, librarians and school nurses who are getting well over $70,000 for 190 days of work in Delaware County Pa. And that doesn't count benefits or extra-curricular work.

School choice, now!

[Melinas_Man]

I'd be getting my money's worth if we weren't homeschooling our kids.(4 girls so far)

[cruiserman]

Of course, it is not a good deal if he has no kids or if he sends his kids to private school or homeschools his kids.

Bingo!

[Princess G]

I live in South New Jersey--Have been paying School Taxes for children I don't have for many years...Could be a Millionaire LOL

[tcostell]

In Putnam Valley New York (with a school district cited by the state for financial mis-management) we are paying $21,000 per student, per year. The entertaining thing is, if they hadn't lowered the standard in New York to 65% from the 70% in most states, then we would be a failing school district. 68% of all 8th graders pass the state mandated tests.

Thanks NEA.