What about parents, getting some of their government confiscated dollars back, to do what they see is best for their child(ren)’s education, is so controversial? Over the last several weeks, as the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) worked to complete their budget, the cries have become louder and louder, mainly by the Democrats in the body. You know, those who are part of the wholly-owned subsidiary of the North Carolina Association of Educators, AND of the various Educrat “professional” organizations across the State.
This past Friday, September 22, 2023, the NCGA passed the final budget, and much to the chagrin of Gov. Roy Cooper, and the Democrats in the body, it included an expansion, and a rather substantial one, of the NC Opportunity Scholarship Program. If you just listened to some of the interviews of the Governor, and various Democrat Legislators, you would think the Republican majorities in the NCGA, just marched the cabal, which is every public (government) school educator, and public school employee and supplier, out to the playgrounds, and executed them.
I guess this proves that Republicans are just mean, even evil, ogres. How could any segment of this Nation be so heartless? What is it about the innocent children that they hate so much? I believe it’s actually just the opposite. This is the majority, striking back against the cabal, that have been working tirelessly to “dumb-down” each subsequent generation, every since the National Government illegally inserted themselves in to our government schools through progressive bribery. But, that’s another subject. I think we need to get passed the “dumbed-down” crowd, and look at facts and the math.
The most important fact that stands out to me is, that as per pupil spending has consistently increased, why has the measurable achievement on average declined? And amazingly, this decline has accelerated faster as the number of super-smart Educrat administrators has increased. How could that happen? Because administrators consume education dollars with virtually no improvement in outcomes. (Yeah, I said it.) Actually the argument could be made, and I believe is legitimate, that additional Educrats actually cause decreases in achievement. Why is this never questioned or evaluated?
Now, for the math piece of this discussion. Sadly, this shows that those in charge of our “education industry” are in no way proficient in math. This is how allocation of the scholarships will be determined (from Statute):
H269.v6 SECTION 8A.6.(c)
(b2) Scholarship grants shall be awarded to eligible students as follows:
(1) For students residing in households with an income level not in excess of the amount required for the student to qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program, per year per eligible student, an amount of up to one hundred percent (100%) of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year.
(2) For students residing in households with an in come level between the amount required for the student to qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program and not in excess of two hundred percent (200%) of that amount, per year per eligible student, an amount of up to ninety percent (90%) of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year.
(3) For students residing in households with an income level of between two hundred percent (200%) of the amount required for the student to qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program and not in excess of four hundred fifty percent (450%) of that amount, per year per eligible student, an amount of up to sixty percent (60%) of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year.
(4) For all students, per year per eligible student, an amount of up to forty-five percent (45%) of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year.
So the math says that for every student who chooses to apply for and use an Opportunity Scholarship, the State will continue to spend, in the government schools, from, at the least, the difference between the current, and the previous fiscal year per pupil allocation, up to 55% of the difference between the previous fiscal year per pupil allocation, of the current fiscal year per pupil allocation, for EVERY pupil who doesn’t attend the government schools. So, the government schools will receive MILLIONS of dollars for students they DON’T teach. Listening to the Educrat mouthpieces, how could this be? It’s called math, and we used to emphasize that school children learn math. Evidently, no more.
Now, we understand that there are other pieces in this discussions, but the facts and math don’t lie. Then why would the Educrats in the “Education Industry” be so concerned about this removal of a small piece of their total control of “Education”? I think it’s a very simple answer. The “Education Industry” is more about control than it is about teaching children, PERIOD! But they are smart enough to know that if they are ever forced to compete in the true market, based on the achievement and success of the students, their gravy train will leave the station and their scam will be exposed. Now, I want to make sure that our classroom teachers understand that this has nothing to do with their abilities or dedication. I believe that most public school teachers are good and honorable people, who are actually impeded by the “structure” of the Educrats. Maybe the best among them will be given the opportunity to do more of what they are in the job to do, teach the children. Even if it’s not in a government school. Shouldn’t be up to the parent(s), not the Educrats? We say YES!!
God Bless America! And America, PLEASE Bless God Again!!
