Education Savings Accounts.... Or Fools Gold?

Governor Fallin on Thursday made the statement that she wanted the legislators to send her an Educational Savings Account Bill for her to sign. If you aren't aware what an Educational Savings Account is, It is a fancy term for a voucher because voucher has a negative connotation and won't get out of committee. Basically what those who favor ESA's plan is to set aside a certain amount of money for families to use wherever they see fit. They can choose what school gets "their money". It can be a homeschool or a private school.

To help sell this ESA crap the proponents say it will raise per pupil spending. What they do is not give the full amount of the state's per pupil spending amount. Currently the state's per pupil spending is in the $8,600 range. If a person is Economically Disadvantaged they get 90% of the funds they would have generated at their old school. The formula shrinks the amount as your household income rises. The funds can be used for tutoring, virtual school, Higher education courses, and of course private schools.

So lets look at how this will work for a family that is at or below the poverty line. If per pupil spending is $8600 then that family would receive $7,740. Based on a quick search of Heritage Hall, I will use them as my example. For a student in Pre-k through 4th grade it costs $13,775, 5th -6th it cost $14,380, and 7th thru 12th is $18,400. These fees do not include books, lunch, or related costs. If a student needed special education services those fees would be additional as well. So best case scenario for a family that is classified as Economically Disadvantaged they would have to come up with $6,035 plus related expenses. This may be tough for a family living on such meager means.

So who does it help? For someone who is let's say more, well off. Maybe some of those people who are actually seeing a refund worth mentioning from our newly enacted quarter percent tax cut. How nice would it be for someone who is already going to a private school to receive a nice $2,500 check to do what you were already doing? How nice would it be if you  were homeschooling your child and to receive 60% of the per pupil spending because your income is 1.5 times above the poverty level and you get a $5,160 to "tutor" your child?

If every homeschooling student in Oklahoma gets a check for $2,500 to $7,740 so they can be "tutored" how will that impact our state aid money? Can we for sure say that it won't negatively impact aid to public schools? Obviously with money going to private entities, there will be no accountability. But when your agenda is to defund public schools what do you care.

If this passes I urge teachers to do one thing. Find 15 economically disadvantaged students in your  class you are ready teaching, begin "tutoring" these students and maybe you will finally earn a wage that you deserve!!

My other question is since when does anyone have a "share" of public money? Government is to provide basic services to its people. Some of those include Education, Public Safety, Roads, and Health. What is my "share" of these services and do I get to give my share to a private entity that I think does it better? If these legislators don't want to apply this to other government services, then it is clear their objective is one thing. Damage Oklahoma Public Schools. It's not about  choice we already have that and have for decades. It's about a private agenda to continue to help a small elect few. Our government has never been about having a "share" and deciding where it goes. It's about pooling money for the greater good. Of which public education is a pillar and vital for future success!! We need to fight this with all we got!!