Yesterday I did a post on how government is cutting the legs off of the school choice movement in D.C.
(BTW, I forgot to remind readers yesterday that currently Washington DC spends about $14,400 PER STUDENT — one the highest expenditures per student in the nation. So this silly rebuttal out there that suggests spending more per student and doing away with giving parents a choice with their tax dollars needs to be incinerated.)
As some of you may know, both of our kids are homeschooled by “yours truly”. At the beginning of the school year, we decided to try a different curriculum. While the curriculum did have its good points, it left too many holes in their learning for our taste. So we decided to enroll them at the local SCORE Learning Center. My son has been through the program before and had tremendous success. This time, we are enrolling both children.
After going through some of the initial testing, a few days later we find out that SCORE is shutting down all of their local offices due to the economy. Kaplan Tutoring is taking over and it will now be mostly an online program. We opted for the online program with some face to face tutoring, so we were not that affected.
What I found out later is that SCORE is keeping one of their branches open. Where? In Orange country, CA.
For those of you not familiar with the O.C., its one few wealthiest counties in the state. The population is mostly White, followed by Asian and Hispanic (if I step my big toe across the county line, the Black demographic drastically goes up–LOL!). It is home to 31 of the state’s best schools. It is also home to universities like UC Irvine and California State-Fullerton. That is why the Asian community is centered around Irvine as quality education is paramount in that culture. So education in that county is no joke. This is EXACTLY why SCORE isn’t about to close up shop in the O.C.
If the families in the O.C. can exercise “choice” when it comes to the education of their children with their own money, why continue to bind the hands of tax paying families in DC by forcing their money to go to poor performing schools?
If members of Congress can use their tax-payer supported salary to send their kids to the school of their choice, why not the DC kids?
Why does the Congressional Black Caucus consistently support the interests of the NEA (who, btw are not proponents of school choice do not like seeing money going elsewhere besides failing public schools) and remain silent on this issue (Link to 2005 flyer I made regarding the CBC’s stance on school choice: cbconeducation).
The Obamas send their kids to a private school and folks all across the net are offering up free advice on how the kids should handle themselves with all of those rich White kids. Meanwhile, families in DC and in cities all across this nation have to fight for the same choice and many cases lose the battle. And the same folks who were clamoring about how sweet yet awesome it was to see a two Black girls go to Sidwell have nothing to say on this???
And I’m to believe “CHANGE” has come?
I’m not smoking that crack pipe.
2 Comments
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Greetings,
This is the first time I have read blackinformant.com. Most interesting. I hope to be able to get back soon and ask questions and post comments. We in the Black community do not have a monolithic world view. We must be open to sharing views. I know that I can learn even from those that I disageree with. I was born in D.C. but raised in NYC. I get back to D.C. as often as I can. Thanks for the info. on Orange County. Things happen by plan and reason and benefits those who fight for their interest.
Michelle Rhee, Arne Duncan and Joel Klien(NYC)are all enemies to Black education. What are your thoughts?
Its crystal clear to me that Black elected officials represent the political party they belong to and not the Black community. 50% Black unemployment and Obama,Conyers, Sharpton and Acron walk right past us and worry about illegal immigrants! Black voters need to be independents
and leverage all politcal parties for concessions.
At this point in time Blacks of all political and ideaological persuaions need to ask what impact a policy will have on the Black community regardless of ones ideaology. Other ethnic groups got large stimulus money. Where is ours? They not waiting for Obama to find time to get to them.
Talk to you later.
Eric
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Michelle Rhee, Arne Duncan and Joel Klien(NYC)are all enemies to Black education. What are your thoughts?
Michelle Rhee – Anybody who is fighting for the right of parents to have school choice, willing to fight against unions who have not proven their worth in that district, and cut down the bureaucracy is alright with me.
Arne Duncan – Did virtually squat for Chicago and only got the job because of his hook up with Obama.
Joel Klien – Don’t know enough about him to comment, but I will certainly keep my ears open for him.
Black voters need to be independents and leverage all politcal parties for concessions.
You are preaching to the choir here, but unfortunately it is an unrealistic hope.
I mentioned a few days ago a comment made by the Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Beranke. In short, he told a group of Morehouse college students that a major contributor to the wealth gap between Blacks and Whites is our lack of financial literacy. Why am I talking about money? Because money is what fuels the political world. While most American voters regardless of race are marginal when it comes to the inter-workings of our economy, we as Black folks are very low on that scale. So, like most folks who are not knowledgeable about money, we rely heavily on the basic soft skills of our politicians. The personality of the politician goes a lot further with us than the millions/billions he/she has wasted with various pet projects. That is why there was very little interest in much of the Black community on how billions of dollars get wasted every year in government. That leads to another point. Because Blacks are heavily reliant on the government (welfare, social programs, employment, education), the only main requirement for our elected representatives is to keep–government–growing. Conservatives on the other hand believe in a government system that is efficient, yet effective. In other words, cut what does not work and keep what is working. Therefore, suggesting to the Black electorate that government should be reduced in size is will not win elections in most Black districts.
Bottom line, our knowledge of how money flows in the political arena has a direct correlation on how we vote.
Welcome to the site!