From: s462075d@edinboro.edu
Newsgroups: talk.politics.misc
Subject: Don't make private schools public!
Date: 25 Jan 93 15:25:05 GMT
Organization: Edinboro University of PA

I admit I am jumping in at the middle here, but it seems someone started this
by supporting ex-president Bush's (boy that sounded good!) voucher system for
private schools to help solve our education problem.

Won't solve the problem.  Why?  Consiedr this:

1.  How many MILLION people will flock to private schools, overflowing them
    and diluting the great student/teacher ratio we talk about?

2.  Will private schools still be able to keep selectivity/dicipline/standards
    so high when they will be forced to drink from the government trough?  Near
    here (NW PA) there is a college that wanted to its own way and not follow
    silly government quota systems, etc.  The feds said "We fund you, do as
    we say", they said "Keep your funding, we're private!", The feds answer
    "Your students get loans don't they, DO AS WE SAY!"  School answers "Keep
    your loans, too!"

Now I ask you, how long will private schools stay "private" with government
funding?  Some ACLU nut will find a reason to sue quicker than gas prices
rise when Saddam gets restless.  Then we'll (eventually) have TWO sets of
worthless schools.

I went to a private (Catholic) grade school.  A public high school.  The 
difference was money, to be sure.  But my grade school always found a way
to save a buck (No joke, I was in high school before I got a handout w/o
a office form on the back), but usally found a way.  They could also kick 
out anyone causing a serious enough problem right away (only happened a
coupple times in 8 years).  In high school the teachers had less authority,
and worried more about "administration."  And this waswith me being lucky
enough to attend a middle-class high school that over-achieved.  My aunt in
Detroit, meanwhile, told me about an ACLU lawsuit to prevent students from
being forced through metal-dectors for security!

Enough rambling, the point is this.  Good schools have a "culture" about 
them that can't be carbon-copied.  Like our businesses copying Japanese
methods, might work eventually, probably will help some, but don't hope
for immediate miracles.

The solution should be something of a return to the past.  Study our system
back in the 50's and compare it with what the rest of the world had then.
Then see what changed in each.  Then look at what improved and keep it.
Trash what has been a dud.  Stop worrying about hurting someones feelings
and force students to COMPETE!  Don't just pass little Bobby because he will
be hurt if he goes to summer school or repeats a grade.  If you help him now,
he will be better off later.  Have clear-cut standards and STICK TO THEM!  
Don't worry that the rich will have it better.  I'm far from rich.  Believe
me, they will ALWAYS have it better.  Do what you can with what you have in
a public school, and let the private schools alone.

_/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\_
|Shawn Duffy    Edinboro University of PA,     United States of America     | 
| s462075d@edinboro.edu/ A student in need of a job/ DO IT AGAIN, PENNS!!   |
|               "We've upped our standards, so up yours."                   |
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