Quote:

---

I believe many don't understand the choice is already theirs and just see $$ not realizing the strings dangling them.

---

who are these people that don't know they are allowed to put their kids in private schools?

I understand your frustration. However, you won't be receiving your full $8k back and the amount you would receive is going to come with stipulations, ones that will eventually impact the private school you have thoughtfully chosen for your children. The better route would be to not pay so much in property taxes to begin with. That's where people should have their focus.

CSTXAg92 said:

---

Aggie4Life02 said:

---

DarkBrandon0111 said:

---

so much for equality of opportunity

---

Not my job to educate your children, it's your job.


Equality of opportunity is a progressive myth.

Equality under law is the only type of equality we should be concerned with.

---

Respectfully disagree.

As Americans, we should be expect and be guaranteed equal opportunity.

We shouldn't expect or guarantee equal outcomes.

---

How are racial quotas for gifted and talented programs and charter school admissions equality of opportunity?

Howdy, it is me! said:

---

It's the most recent post I could find regarding this subject and with voting now underway, I think it should be continued to be discussed. It's likely not going to be seen on many's ballots, but it's still worth considering when voting for those representing us. Unfortunately, I believe many don't understand the choice is already theirs and just see $$ not realizing the strings dangling them.

---

In a world where $ = speech it should be of little wonder that $ = freedom.

Take, for instance, an average family: dual $60k income with 2 kids.
Current "Options": Private = $120k - $40k = $80k left to live for the year, homeschool = $60k to live for the year, or public = $120k left to live for the year.

With a voucher system, however: Private = $90k+ left over, homeschool = $70k left, or public = $120k left over.

If you don't think $10k makes a difference as to what someone is able to make happen - you're crazy.

And even if there vouchers come with conditions - homeschooling can run you several grand per kid each year. Getting to keep your educational tax dollars for the education of your kid (buying books, materials, or coop memberships) is a significant thing.

Anyone who voted "yes" to the 9th 2022 Republican Primary ballot proposition, which stated: 9.) Texas parents and guardians should have the right to select schools, whether public or private, for their children, and the funding should follow the student.

that last phrase. read it to yourself slowly.

I'm not following the homeschool calculation of only having half your income remaining; but that aside, homeschool does not have to be expensive. There are plenty of free and low cost options. The last thing homeschoolers should want to do is take government money. Currently, it's essentially completely up to the parents on how to educate their children. The moment homeschoolers start taking money, that goes away. Do you really believe the government won't start asking for status reports, controlling the curriculum, etc.? You're inviting them into your home and giving them the reigns.

"Should have the right to select…" we DO have the right to select.

Quote:

---

Unfortunately, I believe many don't understand the choice is already theirs and just see $$ not realizing the strings dangling them.

---

I don't even understand this. What strings are dangling?

I would love to have had vouchers for all the years to offset some of the $$$'s that my wife and i spent by sending our two kids to private school.

Howdy, it is me! said:

---

"Should have the right to select…" we DO have the right to select.

---

But why am I forced to subsidize your kid's poor education?

As you've said: the better option is reducing taxes as a whole - but we all know how unlikely that is.

Regarding that math: obvious oversimplification, but homeschooling requires a dedicated parent. So a dual-income household would need to forego one income to homeschool. Whether that "extra $10k" is a function of property tax retention or return via voucher wasn't really important to the point…

…and that point is: it's silly to tell folks to be silent about vouchers because choice is already legal. When $ follows kid, the logistics change and thus the degree of functional freedom their families actually enjoy.

Many bold assertions, presumptions, conclusions, recommendations, and rebuttals are included in this thread.

I suspect such passionate advocacy, staunch rejection, and at least some confusion in both pro and con school voucher arguments indicate why "school choice" is a very popular campaign talking point among many politicians and voters, but legislative results/successful implementations are as numerous as unicorns.

Moreover, and I apologize if I have overlooked it, what is the non educational quality degrading solution to voucher-driven demand overwhelming the capacity of very good schools?

Edit for grammar.

CSTXAg92 said:

---

Aggie4Life02 said:

---

DarkBrandon0111 said:

---

so much for equality of opportunity

---

Not my job to educate your children, it's your job.


Equality of opportunity is a progressive myth.

Equality under law is the only type of equality we should be concerned with.

---

Respectfully disagree.

As Americans, we should be expect and be guaranteed equal opportunity.

We shouldn't expect or guarantee equal outcomes.

---

It is a myth. You don't actually think everyone has the same IQ do you? Do you realize that IQ is also directly tied to educational performance and long term income?

People are unequal on an individual level, there has never been equality of opportunity because some people have genetic advantages that provide them 5 steps up in the long game. Others by comparison were genetically inclined to be violent, dumb, promiscuous, etc. that dramatically lowered their long term options.

School choice won't change any of the above, no matter how much you may want it to. Humans are not blank slates, and Genetics governs all behavior. Putting some dumb kid into a good school won't change that person's IQ nor will it give them any better long term prospects in life.

AggieUSMC said:

---

Quote:

---

If a top performing school can only hold 1000 kids, and 2000 apply, what happens? You know there won't be equal opportunity by lottery because AYden, KaYden, and JaYden White's parents sure won't put up with the prospect of their kids maybe losing and going to the hood. Jamaal and LaQueefa will just have to wait a few years for those schools to expand, a magic private school gets built, and magic teachers become available at those magic schools (I know, anyone can teach, so that's not a big deal).

School choice may well be "symbolism over substance".

---

You really think these private schools that have Ayden, Kayden, and McKenzie attending wouldn't jump through their arses to enroll Jamaal and LaQueefa to boost their "diversity" cred, and CYA themselves from the NAACP?

---

Enrollment with school choice will just mean diversity programs rule everything. I can't wait for my sons to get rejected from everywhere because they don't meet diversity quotas.

You won't get back the full amount you pay in your property taxes; you should instead be voting for politicians who will work to lower or abolish property taxes. The real goal should be to not give the government the money to begin with.

Every government funded program and handout comes with strings attached. I think it's foolish to believe they will just give you some of your money back without any control. For example, requiring private and home schools to teach a certain curriculum, or not allow particular curriculums.

Quote:

---

Moreover, and I apologize if I have overlooked it, what is the non educational quality degrading solution to voucher-driven demand overwhelming the capacity of very good schools?

---

Only a small % will actually take advantage of school vouchers. Just because a parent, with voucher in hand, wants to send his/her kid to a school, it doesn't mean they'll get in.

I don't get this "overwhelming capacity of very good schools" concern.

It's a myth that homeschooling would absolutely result in a one income household.

The problem is, what is it about private or homeschooling do parents prefer? The answer at its root is likely the lack of government involvement. Once you take the government's money to pay for private and homeschool education, it's going to begin to change. Every government funded program and handout comes with strings. The government will want some sort of oversight and control. To think nothing about these educational opportunities would change is wishful thinking.

The fact you keep stressing the "select" part, and ignoring the financing, shows me that you are nothing but a troll.

Everyone knows that you can select your own school. The issue is how to pay for it. You know that.

Best of luck on your public school teacher of the year award. I'm sure you are a great teacher.

BMX Bandit said:

---

The fact you keep stressing the "select" part, and ignoring the financing, shows me that you are nothing but a troll.

Everyone knows that you can select your own school. The issue is how to pay for it. You know that.

Best of luck on your public school teacher of the year award. I'm sure you are a great teacher.

---

I also love that he tees up the tax target, knowing full well that we've been unsuccessfully fighting for politicians who will follow through with reductions for years / decades.

Basic "perfect as enemy for the good" tactic to prevent any reduction to funds raked in by public schools.

Fight on both fronts and take ground wherever possible.

You've got me and my motivations completely wrong. Details are important. There was no need for that language to be included for any reason other than to make people feel like they don't already have all the freedom they need.

Howdy, it is me! said:

---

You won't get back the full amount you pay in your property taxes; you should instead be voting for politicians who will work to lower or abolish property taxes. The real goal should be to not give the government the money to begin with.

Every government funded program and handout comes with strings attached. I think it's foolish to believe they will just give you some of your money back without any control. For example, requiring private and home schools to teach a certain curriculum, or not allow particular curriculums.

---

Everyone knows this; it's not $ for $ from property tax to school voucher. The tax issue isn't germane to the voucher discussion.

Home schooling and private schools already have to meet state standards so there isn't anything new.

No offense, but your motivation is crystal clear. That was evident from your deception regarding people already have a choice.

Everyone knows they have a choice. You are fully aware that's not the issue

It's interesting you and BMX think I'm a public school teacher when I feel my comments have a clear goal of safeguarding private and homeschool institutions. I apologize if anything I've said has come across as having poor motive (not a troll); that's not my intention. I appreciate an open dialogue and discussion on a topic of importance to myself and my family.

Troll was probably a poor description. I think you are sincere and what you were posting. However, you are being deceptive.

On a personal level, school voucher program would be very bad for me. My four kids are all in private school, and I know that based on basic economics, the price of those schools will all go up if the government start paying part of the bill.

But from a policy standpoint, people should be allowed to spend their school money where their kids attend school.

The answer is bigger and frankly will never happen. "Public" needs to be removed from the school equation. If only we could eliminate property tax AND privatize education. That's progress!