PRIVATE SCHOOL NIGHTMARE FOR DEMOCRACY

Private schools are a self-fulfilling nightmare. While engaged in a brief discussion over private schools on Google +EducationRevolution, I realized they are self-perpetuating even though “for profit schools” are pernicious monster gobbling up public schools with the blessing of parents. In an unrelated comment, another contributor asked if there were any examples of income disparity playing out in education. I would like to point out that the heart of privatization of education is income disparity; widening the gap between the rich and poor.

The original contributor to the discussion was advocating the use of a certain program to introduce quantum physics to kids.  My response was that in my state (North Carolina) we would love to have the luxury of dong that but are fighting to keep teachers in public school. Among other things, our state government gutted public education by cutting 5000 teachers 4,580teacher assistants, cut public school budget by $500 million, and gave $10 million taxpayer dollars to voucher programs to support private schools. In response to all of this, a friend of mine responded that if they destroy education they would destroy democracy.  I support the fellow who suggested that teachers introduce quantum physics into kids the curriculum. He will want the best for his children and will send them wherever he has to send them to achieve that goal. He will support politicians who will provide his child the best education.  If politicians destroy public schools to make private schools better, he will send his children to private school. So would I and every other parent concerned about the education of his or her children.  I want his child to have the best education possible. The problem is, he wants his child to have the best education possible but never gave a moments thought to the education of my children.

Let me redefine the words ‘altruism’ and ‘greed’ in political terms. Republicans want to destroy the U.S. Department of Education. Republicans do not want the minimum standards imposed on them. Republicans control the state Government in North Carolina. Republicans want to privatize education to cut taxes but use taxpayers dollars to education their own children but do not want to pay taxes to education other peoples’ children. They want the right to close the school doors to anyone they chose to close the door to; some of us call this for what it is, re-segregation. They want to overturn the Constitution by turning the publically funded schools into church basements. Above all else, they want an easy way to put their hands into the great pot of gold at the end of the taxpayers’ rainbow; they will aim at putting charter schools in poverty areas if they can make money—lots of it. The sad fact is that private schools add 20% on the cost of education.

The move to destroy public schools has been proceeding at lighting rates. Ask yourself, do you want to send your child to public school? Why not? For those who have the money, why are you willing to pay 20% more to education your own children? Your response makes my point; Republicans are winning and parents, the people who will be hurt the most, are helping them.   

When I review the situation, the only conclusion possible is that the objective of private schools, which is the same as the Republican objective,  is to increase the gap between the rich and the poor—Reaganomics. My friend who wants quantum physics introduced to kids should stop and think about schools with leaky roof and teachers asking kids to bring coats to wear in class and carry their own toilet paper to school. The best way to insure that the Republican mantra is true that there always will be poor people is to make sure “their children” are not educated.  

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