Sunday, November 14, 2010

Reason TV: New Orleans Voucher Program



Since I've had some teacher's union defenders come on here in the comments, let me round out this picture a bit. Here is the audit of the NOPS back in 2004-2005. The system was so bad the audit could not even be completed. Over 20 people have been in trouble over the last 6 years for fraud and embezzlement. 2004-2005 attempted audit
Then there is a Tulane study on NOPSpublished this year as well as this report on the performance of NOPS over the last five years.

12 comments:

Kingfish said...

For the record, I'm not really in favor of vouchers. Why? See S. Dakota v. Dole. I do favor charter schools.

Anonymous said...

For the record do you have children Kingfish?

Kingfish said...

Nope.

My interest is based on family and I don't think much attention has been given to this debate by the other media in Mississippi. All we get is Willie Perkins and Derek Johnson screaming its segregation all over again.

Anonymous said...

What happens is the best schools get to pick and choose from the best children...those children whose parents value education and/or the children are judged to be able to learn and/or the children are without disruptive behavorial problems.

Of course,charter and voucher schools will out perform those schools where the students are troubled or challenged or from bad homes.

We could create schools for disturbed children or handicapped children and actually try to deal with their problems.

The rest of the children will do just fine in a safe and functional environment.

We keep thinking it's the teachers and the buildings and materials and overlook the inconvenient reality that not all the children are the same in their ability to benefit from what is offerred.

Kingfish said...

Not true. Check out Harlem Success Academy. Predominantly minority students from poor families. You can keep throwing out that old myth that charter schools cherry pick but more and more research, some of which I've posted on this site, shows its not true.

Anonymous said...

Elementary kids in Madison County are being brought to the level of the lowest child in the classroom. Kids that are ahead are being forced to stop and wait for those who are slower.

No child left behind.

And yes, I have kids in Madison Co. schools.

Anonymous said...

Children being forced to stop and wait was going on in JPS in the 8o's. That is when we were pulled out of public school.
It was never about segregation it was about education and values.

Anonymous said...

Every child and every parent deserve the opportunity to choose the school that is most suitable for their needs. If the parents choose not to take those opportunities, well, that is another story. But they deserve the opportunity. In Mississippi there is no choice other than move or pay up and for some that isn't a choice at all.

Anonymous said...

KF, a lottery is STILL cherry picking as kids parents have to get off their butts to get their kid into the lottery.
The fact is that a parent will have to effectively work the system to have their kid be in a charter or magnet or voucher school or someone in the system will have to choose to walk the kids parents through .

Anonymous said...

Look, we are making these decisions, unlike the British, on the assumption that ALL children can graduate from high school. We think if they do not, it is a system failure.
There are some children, that cannot and never will be able to learn beyond a certain level. There are children who need to be in therapeutic settings.
We USE to know this. The problem is we also USE to stupidly assume in some parts of this country that black children weren't capable.
Here's the reality...you can't tell stupid or damaged by race or income level.
And, here's a news flash for private schools parents...a few screwed up rich kids can be a very bad influence on a class especially in the teen years if the class sees those kids as " cool".
And, home schooled kids miss some of the hard knocks and social challenges that could serve them well later on if they hope to be in positions of management or leadership. They just don't deal well with people who are different from themselves and in life, you have to learn to do that.

Anonymous said...

November 15, 2010 9:55 AM, do you have children and have they gone to public or private schools?

Anonymous said...

My children are now grown. They went to private school here. One of them has children of their own.
I should warn you that my comments are not based merely on anecdotal/personal experience even though I've been involved in the education of hundreds of children who were in public school without being a classroom teacher.
I didn't send my own children to public school because I thought they couldn't learn there. They would have excelled academically anywhere. Hand them a book and they'll read it.
I sent them to private school because peer group influence matters...especially when they get into their pre-teens.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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