superflysmith

First there was Orval Faubus, then there was George Wallace, now there is Jim Doyle. The governor of Wisconsin is prepared to stand in the door and block hundreds of Milwaukee students from going to schools of their choice. He is prepared to oust poor families from their successful schools and send them back to the failing public school system.
These schools have become very popular because it gives poor children a chance at a better education. These schools also cost the state 80% less per student than the public school education.
So why is Governor Doyle prepared to do this? Because he is in the pocket of the teachers union. The teachers union does not care for kids. They only care about their own interests and children are not part of it.
Starting February 1 they will start kicking mainly blacks and hispanics out of these schools.
Thanks Jim Doyle for doing what's right for Wisconsin.

yustr

Just one question for your sfs: do the private school have to accept vouchers from students with handicaps and learning disabilities? Most do not. And therefore their $/student figure can be much lower - some public schools provide these kids full-time support - one per student all day long. So the cost of that student might be $50K/year.

Just wondering...

Don't get me wrong. I think our schools need to be constantly evaluating how to do things better. And the teachers unions have not been willing to participate in those discussions. Shame on them...

But I am the product of public schools and so are my kids. I think they've turned out pretty damn fine. Its a lot more than the schools though. How many inner-city families read to their 18 month-old every night? How many inner-city Moms can spend a day-a week volunteering in the elementary school like my wife did? How many inner-city Dads set an example for his kids by reading good books and engaging in thoughful discussions with them?

Just my thoughts....steps off soapbox...tilts hat...walks away...

superflysmith

Many schools in the program do accept the handicap and one in particular serves exclusively students with special needs.

I agree eduction should start in the home. Unfortunately for most of these kids it doesn't. The vast majority of these students in this program are from single family homes.

I also went to a public school and turned out fine (somehow). I pretty much slept through high school. I went to a school in the suburbs and I wouldn't even want my kid to go to that school. They don't take teaching seriously. Some school district do, but not all. I may send my children to a public school but it depends on where we live in a few years. There are only a handful of public schools that I feel are doing their job here in SE Wisconsin.

bry623

Maybe since vouchers are a Bush initiative, he is inantely agianst it..... but I guess that is a discussion for the PS.

Reading is important. I can still recite from memory, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and Pigs Can't Fly.

ebackhus

If at all possible I'd like my kids to have a private education as I did. If not from a moral standpoint, then from a quality one.

forcifer

i feel sorta bad because i go to a pretty nice school. =/. dunno what cost per year is, but it is in the thousands. but kansas city's richest go here (yes we DO have rich people here) mostly the Halls (hall mark) make our scahool sound good, but there are only like 5 actually "rich" familes. most just are layers and stuff

Monterey Jack

Doyles a complete loser. Why people vote for that idiot I'll never know. When Thompson ran WI, it went smoothly. Doyle promised lower taxes, where is it? Doyle doesnt do what the people want. Doyle bullies other democrats to vote party line even if their constituants want a particular bill passed (ie the PPA that failed by 2 votes last week when 2 democrats who VOTED FOR IT IN THE FIRST PLACE flip flopped even though their constituants WANTED IT).

Chevy

Any links to press releases on this?

superflysmith

Caught between the teachers union (who owns him) and the black folks in Milwaukee (who without their vote doesn't stand a chance at re-election) Doyle finally caved to the interests of the citizens of Wisconsin (which might be the first time he's done anything good for this state since being governor) he has been forced to lift the caps on the choice schools. Now the poor can actually get a good education in Milwaukee again.