Holy Trojan Horse, Batman!
(media.greatawakening.win)
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The "power" to the parents you speak of is granted to them through the government. The concern many of us have is that the government will (as it always does) exert control over what it is funding. As of now my homeschool is flying under the radar and that's where I want it to stay. But as more homeschoolers and private schoolers accept government funds, homeschool will get dumped into the definition of private schools (we have already fought this fight in my state). If homeschooling is to remain free from government control, then it must remain free from government funding.
I agree with your statement that government funding leads to government control. Public schools are a testament to this. But school choice, as expressed in Trump's Agenda 47, is a move to transfer control of existing schools away from government in favor of families. As things stand today, how is that a bad move?
I see this as a smart move to get away from where we are today, destroying the influence of teachers' unions and education system bureaucrats. You don't need to agree, but I think you're demonizing a good solution because you want a perfect one instead.
In fact, there's a lot to be said for public commitment to education: homeschooling rarely produces a well-tooled machine shop, science labs, or large swimming pools. Removing all government funding from one day to the next would create a lot of chaos, and an incremental approach to change is not horrible. And unless you want centrally controlled schools, which you clearly don't, allowing parents to direct the funds instead of bureaucrats will ensure that the good parts don't get thrown away. I still think it's a good step.
Allow me to clarify my point. I'm not opposed to the existence of government-funded schools. In fact, I believe they are necessary. It will be a glorious day when they are brought back to the state level and the DOE is dismantled, however.
My opposition is to the encroachment of the government into the private and homeschool sectors. Allowing this money to trickle in will eventually make those schools vulnerable to larger governmental control. It's a Trojan horse. Those of us who have opted out of the government system are watching with trepidation as newcomers to the private and homeschooling worlds bring the government with them.
And the government knows EXACTLY what they are doing.
Fair enough. Trump's plan, as stated in his agenda, involves closing the DOE and sending the money direct to states and guaranteeing it can be directed by parents who choose to do it.
That will still be vulnerable to state and city unions who loathe losing control and will work to claw it back. Their efforts should be fought against with every tooth and nail.
This has been happening repeatedly in many parts. I've seen it in L.A. County as charter schools are approved under law and certificates granted after agencies are obligated by lawsuits to do so, and then later decertified by administrative BS led by teacher union admins (not even the teachers themselves) and public school admin bureaucrats who want to claw back the funding and indoctrination power. It's definitely a war. But the more power the parents have, the better. If diverting DS resources to do it is possible, I'm all for it.
But in the end, a public commitment to an educated populace is a good thing. Public pooled resources are useful to accomplish that. But centrally controlling it is a big no-no.
For now, Trump is not in office, and his plan is not in effect. Our efforts must reflect our reality if they are to have any positive outcomes in the here-and-now. Vouchers, ESAs, and School Choice are DANGEROUS to homeschoolers. Private schools are in danger, too, for what it's worth.
I'm actually wondering what the legal definition of homeschool is state by state. Our state refers to it as "a non-accredited private school with less than one employee." How will this definition help or hurt us when and if education (rightfully) returns to the states? How else can we shore up the private and homeschool arenas so that they are immune to potential governmental controls?
Have you read The 1776 Report? I printed and bound that beauty the day of its release. https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Presidents-Advisory-1776-Commission-Final-Report.pdf
I just pray that man gets into office. I don't agree with him on everything, obviously, but our freedoms were never more secure than with him in charge.
The government doesn't give any American Taxpaying Citizen anything. We invest our taxes for education. The government then allocates the money As We the People request. Schools that produce the results that Parents desire will lead to Competition to improve education everywhere. Parents everywhere will be responsible for their choices. This is the American Way. European constructs hinders American Excellence and Ingenuity.