Killing Public Schools; Analysis of H.R. 610 and The Choices in Education Act

The Replacement: Choices in Education Act

• Makes Secretary of Education into glorified application evaluator and check writer.

• Creates a block grant system to the states.

- This allows Secretary of Education to determine winners and losers.

• Demands states to create voucher program.

- This allows governors and state legislatures to determine winners and losers.

• The Secretary determines ratio of funds of block grant money distributed.

- This would severely damage undocumented children, states and local jurisdictions 

           with high undocumented children populations

• Allows Secretary to create reallotments if state is determined ineligible for grants.

- This exposes the agenda: government wants to punish states with which it disagrees.

• Re-distributes funds from public schools to private schools to create competition.

- This exposes the agenda: kill public schools.

• Raises the costs of education through voucher program.

- Each private voucher includes tuition, fees, and transportation, which is higher than public education. 

- This is a direct payment from taxpayers to private businesses.

- The creation of competition by this bill coupled with the higher costs of tuition, fees, 

           and transportation will severely limit funds to public schools.

• Increases the incentives of homeschooling as a direct payment from the government.

- This has serious limitations for the comprehensive education of students. 

- Is not taxable.

- Is not equitable.

• Eliminates nutritional requirements in food programs.

The Repeal of Elementary and Secondary Education Act

• Any grants or contracts awarded prior to H.R. 610 would be voided. 

- This would create instability and uncertainty throughout the country. 

- Specifically, local school districts and jurisdictions awarded grant money or contracts   through the Department of Education would not know if that money would support the   

          programs currently being implemented. 

-This places undue burdens on local school districts and their taxpayers.

• Actions to Improve Low-Performing Schools would be discontinued.

- The raising of standards and increased accountability in public education would cease. 

- These measures would be especially difficult for schools in areas of high poverty. 

- Technical assistance and capacity building assistance would end. 

- This would eliminate funds to schools and states with under-performing schools. 

- Would end assistance to build private partnerships with foundations, businesses,   community-based orgs, and other organizations to help schools improve.

- Ends compliance monitoring of schools, leading to less accountability.

• Ends equal access to education.

• Ends funds for professional development of teachers and staff.