By and large, this community is CONSERVATIVE and upholds conservative values and policies. I would like to challenge our thinking when it comes to Universal School Choice.
Let’s start by establishing our philosophy on government. Most of us, if not all of us would agree that states’ rights have been sacrificed at the altar of the federal government which has become a behemoth that was never intended by the founders of this country. I think it’s fair to say that we are OPPOSED to the concepts instituted through the New Deal such as socialized income offered through the SSA or the socialized healthcare system born out of SSA referred to as Medicare/Medicaid. Likewise, we are OPPOSED to any sort of proposed universal basic income or any legislation which is passed that dictates participation in any of these programs mentioned.
Yet, when it comes to education, we, CONSERVATIVES, are suddenly PRO government spending on educational programming, up to and including the government funding of private education or home education through Universal School Choice programs.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS are not conservative. PUBLIC FUNDING of private schools is not conservative. PUBLIC FUNDING of homeschools is not conservative. Any school/homeschool which takes government money is/will be expected to adhere to government standards for education and agendas.
Universal School Choice is equal to universal basic income or any other socialist policy which seeks to control programming through funding. It is NOT a conservative ideal.
I understand that the money offered to homeschoolers looks enticing for those of you who are receiving those funds. But you are in bed with the government just the same. I understand that by accepting vouchers, your private school can offer more options for classes. But you are in bed with the government just the same. You will be held to government standards for operation of those schools because you are running those schools on government funds.
Does this mean that I am on the side of the teachers’ unions? In this case, YES, I am. Teachers unions don’t want School Choice because it drains money from the government schools. I don’t want Universal School Choice because it turns any school it touches into a public school. I can live with siding with them for the sake of protecting my homeschool. My children and our family’s values are the top priority in this issue.
I am a home educator of 15 years; I am very involved in my local community through various boards, homeschool groups, etc. I am connected to our state’s legislative watchdog for all things home education. I pay my dues to HSLDA. Please heed my warnings and meet my challenge to change your thinking on this issue.
Universal School Choice is not a conservative ideal; it is a Trojan horse, and conservatives should be OPPOSED to Universal School Choice.
Easy said. I am assuming you make enough money to homeschool your kids without funding. Kiddos to you! Many families do not. Are those families supposed to continue sending their kids for governmental indoctrination? Government funding of homeschool is not optimal, but it's the only way for many families to opt out of the system. I know many families that need that help and their kids are benefiting from it. I would like to see my tax money go to them versus an illegal immigrant.
You're getting at the heart of why Unverisal School Choice has become a banner for conservatives. However, that does not change A) the logical outcome of government overreach into privatized schooling, and B) the attempt to redefine public education through funding. The philosophy on socialized education I outlined still stands as true, and supporting Universal School Choice is counter to conservative values.
For what it's worth, I gave up a career, we have often barely scraped by, and I've educated my kids on how to live debt free so that they can do this, too. It was not the easy choice by any means, it was simply the correct choice for us. I, too, would love to have the extra funds, but I cannot in good conscience take that money and bow a knee. I'll continue to opt out entirely for the sake of not allowing the government to have a say in the education of my children.
Most families I know can not "scrape by" without the funding. Stop judging people for trying to raise their kids out of the public school system. At this moment, funding or not, we need as many people out of the system. That's how we take back our liberties, it starts with education
I've judged no one; I have simply posted an argument for debate.
I have sought to point out the inconsistency in the acceptance of government funding for education when conservatives otherwise shun socialist policies. If you choose to disagree, GREAT!
Blessings on your family's education.