Comments on: Christian Schools Are Feeling the Economic Pinch http://kingdomeducation.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/christian-schools-are-feeling-the-economic-pinch/ a place for Christian school teachers, parents and students Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:56:48 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jack Matthews http://kingdomeducation.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/christian-schools-are-feeling-the-economic-pinch/#comment-144 Jack Matthews Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:48:39 +0000 http://kingdomeducation.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-144 I would have to agree that with government money comes government regulation. The voucher proposals that have been on the table in our area all place limits and controls on either the individuals who receive them, or the schools that take them, including one program that limits the amount received to $8,250 per year, which is the average cost per child in the public school system. The problem with that is that the two private, Christian schools inside that particular district charge around $10,000 in tuition and fees, and wind up losing money on the students they take who receive the vouchers, because they are not allowed to make up the difference by charging the parents. In addition, schools which take this particular voucher, in the form of a grant given to the students, cannot require the students to take Bible or religious-based courses, and cannot require chapel attendance, though from what I have heard, so far no voucher recipient has refused to do so. Also, in order to receive the voucher, the school has to meet the median academic standards set by the state with regard to their achievement test scores. This isn't a problem for either school, but it is more than they require of public schools in this area, which generally fall 8-10% below the state median scores on a regular basis. Rather than a voucher, I'd rather see a system in place whereby families who send their kids to a Christian school are exempt from the local school district tax, and for the Christian community to find ways to fund their own educational programs in order to run them the way we want them to run. The fact that we pay such high tuition costs is a Christian community problem, not a tax or voucher problem. I would have to agree that with government money comes government regulation. The voucher proposals that have been on the table in our area all place limits and controls on either the individuals who receive them, or the schools that take them, including one program that limits the amount received to $8,250 per year, which is the average cost per child in the public school system. The problem with that is that the two private, Christian schools inside that particular district charge around $10,000 in tuition and fees, and wind up losing money on the students they take who receive the vouchers, because they are not allowed to make up the difference by charging the parents. In addition, schools which take this particular voucher, in the form of a grant given to the students, cannot require the students to take Bible or religious-based courses, and cannot require chapel attendance, though from what I have heard, so far no voucher recipient has refused to do so. Also, in order to receive the voucher, the school has to meet the median academic standards set by the state with regard to their achievement test scores. This isn’t a problem for either school, but it is more than they require of public schools in this area, which generally fall 8-10% below the state median scores on a regular basis.

Rather than a voucher, I’d rather see a system in place whereby families who send their kids to a Christian school are exempt from the local school district tax, and for the Christian community to find ways to fund their own educational programs in order to run them the way we want them to run. The fact that we pay such high tuition costs is a Christian community problem, not a tax or voucher problem.

]]> By: Lee http://kingdomeducation.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/christian-schools-are-feeling-the-economic-pinch/#comment-143 Lee Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:39:17 +0000 http://kingdomeducation.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-143 I have not seen a voucher proposal that does not, in some way, cause Christian schools to be regulated by the government. With government money comes government control, whether it is in direct dictation, or in the subtle rules and regulations required to receive the grants and aid. I have not seen a voucher proposal that does not, in some way, cause Christian schools to be regulated by the government. With government money comes government control, whether it is in direct dictation, or in the subtle rules and regulations required to receive the grants and aid.

]]> By: Kyle http://kingdomeducation.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/christian-schools-are-feeling-the-economic-pinch/#comment-141 Kyle Sat, 21 Feb 2009 21:53:18 +0000 http://kingdomeducation.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-141 The only lasting answer for educational spending problems is found in school choice. Please join us at www.vouchersystem.org. The only lasting answer for educational spending problems is found in school choice. Please join us at http://www.vouchersystem.org.

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