Trump is suggesting that federal funds go directly to families if public schools that are *not* in hotspots refuse to open. I’m very critical of Trump on a lot of things, but this is great for lower and middle class families. Parents should receive help to get their kids educated—whether through established homeschool curricula, pods with private teachers, or private schools—if public schools don’t want to be considered essential.
Op: 1) So I’ve been thinking a lot about vouchers and the role they may have with alleviating the problems resulting from the current, unprecedented school closures. This is why his statement caught my attention. I think this could actually help families so their children receive BETTER and more effective education in the coming year. 2) The purpose of funding public education is to educate children, is it not? It is not to prop up crappy, ineffective academic institutions or appease teachers unions! If the public schools and teachers unions refuse to do fulfill their roles in society for the coming year, parents NEED other options. There was even an article in the NYT the other day explaining that teachers are resistant to live online teaching. This does not bode well for the coming year. 3) If the schools refuse to allow in-person classes then they need to justify why they need normal funds for the year. 4) You define hotspots statistically based on objective stats. Like case growth % and deaths per million based on rolling 7-day averages, come on, this isn’t hard.
People are so mean. No wonder we don’t speak up. Let that remind you ladies. People should be able to post their opinions without getting attacked. In my district, teachers refuse to even go in a classroom with NO students. this years funding is based on Last years enrollment. Threats to strike (again). Maybe a new system would work.
Wow I didn't realize R. Weingarten had some of her people on this website! Interesting... yes the more "poorly educated voters"
So cripple already struggling schools further? And how far will those 'vouchers' go? And there is so much that is dubious about this: who will determine "hotspots"? With what data (now that there is an attack on how it is collected, to whom it is given)? Give federal funds to the public schools to assist families. They know these communities and are invested in them. You say you are critical of Trump, but he has succeeded in getting your attention with these meaningless promises; which is exactly what he wants to do from now until November.