Comments on: Quote Of The Day http://hispanicpundit.com/2006/08/21/quote-of-the-day-340/ Wed, 23 May 2012 11:40:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: HispanicPundit http://hispanicpundit.com/2006/08/21/quote-of-the-day-340/#comment-108949 HispanicPundit Wed, 23 Aug 2006 20:08:22 +0000 http://hispanicpundit.com/2006/08/21/quote-of-the-day-340/#comment-108949 Ahhh, the U.S. Department of Education, what side would you expect the largest government run monopoly in the United States to fall in this debate? You see, the finger could be pointed in both directions. Now what is left is to look at the data. Ahhh, the U.S. Department of Education, what side would you expect the largest government run monopoly in the United States to fall in this debate?

You see, the finger could be pointed in both directions. Now what is left is to look at the data.

]]> By: Michael http://hispanicpundit.com/2006/08/21/quote-of-the-day-340/#comment-108929 Michael Wed, 23 Aug 2006 17:21:46 +0000 http://hispanicpundit.com/2006/08/21/quote-of-the-day-340/#comment-108929 Ahh Harvard, what side would you expect the richest private school in the world to fall in this debate. Ahh Harvard, what side would you expect the richest private school in the world to fall in this debate.

]]> By: HispanicPundit http://hispanicpundit.com/2006/08/21/quote-of-the-day-340/#comment-108772 HispanicPundit Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:36:11 +0000 http://hispanicpundit.com/2006/08/21/quote-of-the-day-340/#comment-108772 Michael, I think we are not understanding each other. Proponents of vouchers are not pro-charter schools, we are not pro-private schools, and we are also not anti-public schools. What we are is pro-choice and pro-competition. Currently, there isn't enough competition among charter, private and public schools to see much difference (it's like less than 5% of the population attending non public schools). But if a full voucher plan were implemented, you would see significant competition and, like everything else when faced with competition, a greater improvement - not just among private and charter schools, but also among public schools (for more on all of this read <a href="http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2006/07/19/can-charter-schools-yield-market-like-results/" rel="nofollow">this</a>). Also, in many poor areas going to a different school could be a lifesaver. I grew up in Compton, California, a city with a large population of gangs. In Compton, if you grew up in a neighborhood that rivals the neighborhood gang that controls the public school you are assigned to, going to that public school can be hell. So in these circumstances, simply having options can mean the difference - even if the alternative school is just as bad. That is why proponents of vouchers push for choice. We think the parents should have the power - the same power rich people have - of sending their kids to where they think is best. Lastly, there are many problems with the studies you quote. Not just by 'partisan hacks' either, but even Harvard University itself questions the studies and the methodology used, see <a href="http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/pepg/pr/pepg0602PR.htm" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Michael,

I think we are not understanding each other. Proponents of vouchers are not pro-charter schools, we are not pro-private schools, and we are also not anti-public schools. What we are is pro-choice and pro-competition. Currently, there isn’t enough competition among charter, private and public schools to see much difference (it’s like less than 5% of the population attending non public schools). But if a full voucher plan were implemented, you would see significant competition and, like everything else when faced with competition, a greater improvement - not just among private and charter schools, but also among public schools (for more on all of this read this).

Also, in many poor areas going to a different school could be a lifesaver. I grew up in Compton, California, a city with a large population of gangs. In Compton, if you grew up in a neighborhood that rivals the neighborhood gang that controls the public school you are assigned to, going to that public school can be hell. So in these circumstances, simply having options can mean the difference - even if the alternative school is just as bad. That is why proponents of vouchers push for choice. We think the parents should have the power - the same power rich people have - of sending their kids to where they think is best.

Lastly, there are many problems with the studies you quote. Not just by ‘partisan hacks’ either, but even Harvard University itself questions the studies and the methodology used, see here.

]]> By: Michael http://hispanicpundit.com/2006/08/21/quote-of-the-day-340/#comment-108748 Michael Tue, 22 Aug 2006 16:12:36 +0000 http://hispanicpundit.com/2006/08/21/quote-of-the-day-340/#comment-108748 Yet another item contradicting all of you opponents of those "inferior" traditional public schools. Here is the latest results of test scores. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14466095/ Combine this with the results last month comparing public school performance to tradional private schools and it is quite obvious that on the whole traditional public schools are as good if not better than the private schools. Now why would anyone want to divert money from these competent public schools and give them to private schools where the education is no better than the public schools. I'm sure the public school bashers will spin these results to fit their argument like they tried doing with last months results. But the data is pretty clear even to a lowly graduate of public schools like myself. Yet another item contradicting all of you opponents of those “inferior” traditional public schools. Here is the latest results of test scores.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14466095/

Combine this with the results last month comparing public school performance to tradional private schools and it is quite obvious that on the whole traditional public schools are as good if not better than the private schools.

Now why would anyone want to divert money from these competent public schools and give them to private schools where the education is no better than the public schools.

I’m sure the public school bashers will spin these results to fit their argument like they tried doing with last months results. But the data is pretty clear even to a lowly graduate of public schools like myself.

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