After the Louisiana State Supreme Court ruled that the public school fund could not be used to pay for vouchers for religious and private schools, both sides–the winners and the loser–called the decision a victory.
The court ruled 6-1 against the funding of the vouchers and “course choice,” which would use public funds to pay private providers for a variety of courses.
The National School Boards Association hailed the decision as a victory for the LSBA and public schools, which won the case:
“Scott Richard, Executive Director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, issued this statement today following the ruling today by a Louisiana Supreme Court that the state’s school voucher scheme is unconstitutional. Louisiana School Boards Association (LSBA), the state’s main teachers’ organizations, and 44 traditional public school districts had filed a lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of a Louisiana’s voucher law. Richard is available for press interviews to discuss the ruling and impact.
“We are pleased that the Louisiana Supreme Court has reaffirmed a basic tenet of the state Constitution–that taxpayer money should go to public schools that are open to all students. We hope all state residents can understand the dangerous precedent that a voucher scheme has set and how such a program undermines our local community schools. LSBA will continue to work towards its mission of service, support and leadership for local school boards and to ensure a quality public education for all students.”
“The 6-1 decision upholds a state district court ruling that the Louisiana Constitution forbids using money earmarked for public schools to instead fund private school tuition.”
State Superintendent John White, who lost the decision, also issued a press release declaring victory. It says:
“BATON ROUGE, La. – State Superintendent of Education John White issued a statement today concerning the Louisiana Supreme Court ruling on Act 2:
“On the most important aspect of the law, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of families. The Scholarship Program will continue, and thousands of Louisiana families will continue to have the final say in where to send their children to school. Nearly 93 percent of Scholarship families report that they love their school, and we will work with the Legislature to find another funding source to keep parents and kids in these schools.”
Many of the voucher schools teach creationism and use textbooks published specifically for religious schools. John White is sure that whatever they teach is far superior to the schools for which he is responsible.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
John White has plans to “muddy” the MFP formula in order to try to get at the money anyway. The House Appropriations Committee questioned him about altering the formula and about his having consistent surpluses in the LDOE budget. We will see how the legislature deals with the nebulous MFP.
I think White is trying to shave off money to support vouchers and course choice through tampering with MFP and purposely creating an LDOE surplus.
The House voted to also monitor White’s alteration of school performance score criteria. They do not trust him. This could work favorably toward rejection of his proposed, “muddy” MFP. We will know soon.
So I guess the next press release will be explaining why White and Jindal ignored this ruling and their response to being held in contempt of court
OK, I’m not understanding how White could possibly interpret the 1 dissenting vote as a go ahead for “scholarships” and issue this press release. Is it just me not comprehending, or is it possible that he is already trying to pull something over on parents in LA?
Me too.
Ya know, considering all the hot air blown by TFA’s highest profile “transformational leaders,” like John White, Michelle Rhee and Kevin Huffman, none of them come off as being “the brightest and the best.” Far from it. They just appear to be very arrogant and extremely manipulative –and not particularly clever. And this is how they behave with a lot of people with deep pockets and power guiding and supporting their every move. Imagine if they had to function on their own. They are rather pitiful examples of America’s “elite.”
And the very best TFA and Kopp have to offer…..why would anyone be proud?
Reprheehensible, indeed!
John White’s goal is not to answer to a situation the way people do who employ usual conventions of communication and conversation. His goal is to publicize a view that he wants the public to embrace. The idea (not new to White) is to repeat messages that he wants the public to accept so that thru repetition, the public will internalize the message as truth. It doesn’t need to be true, just spoken and written enough to become familiar. Thus, familiar lies become accepted as truth by those who hear and do not critically appraise– unfortunately, this is how the masses tend to work.
White knows that he looks like an idiot offering such an obviously unfitting reply to the MFP ruling. What he is counting on is that people will read his words in isolation, disconnected from context, and that such people will internalize his words as fact.
This is a powerful public opinion manipulation tactic.
The court did not rule that money could not be used for vouchers. It ruled that taxpayer funds cannot be used. The governor in his administrative budget has set aside funds for vouchers the past few years. Technically, all government money is derived from taxpayers. However, there are some ways to get around the present MFP funding instrument.
You are wrong, Randy.
The court did not Rule on the merits of vouchers.
It ruled thar Jindal could not use funds dedicated to public schools to pay for vouchers.
Jindal is trying to find another source.
He was banking on raiding the state’s Minimum Foundation Budget for public schools to fund vouchers and course choice.
Back to the drawing board.
And the money saved from firing so many of the real educators that are still at the LDOE frees up funds for these pet projects also.
It is not a “reduction in force” while more tfa’ers are still being hired.
I got his “unreal” press release here. Straight off the TFA presses.
🙂
this is referenced on another posting; quote “Bruce Baker explains that Jeanne Allen doesn’t understand basic principles of federalism and may not have read or understood the Supeme Court’s 2002 decision permitting Cleveland’s voucher program.” There are fundamental differences in viewpoints; during the Bicentennial of the Constitution Ted Kennedy assisted (as did other senators , representatives) in bringing instructional programs into schools through staff development. I attended many of the seminars in New England and I was very pleased to learn more about American history (a strong interest of mine but I am not certified in that area). There were definite views that “jarred ” me as if to think, “this speaker hasn’t even heard there was a reformation.” Others in the group who knew history better told me about Bentham so I could follow up and bring my knowledge more in tune with other faculty who had a better grasp on the ideas and concepts. Today I am reading in a book about asperger’s and autism and this quote is one that I would like to follow up on if anyone knows of any good resources. Paraphrased here is the idea “brains are just different if altruism, empathy and social skills” are strongest in the person’s behaviors. One research study on asperger’s indicates that the X chromosome derived through the parental generations has an impact on one’s capacity for learning social skills. I tried to major in both math and literature in college and always try to read outside my field because we get boxed in to certain ways of thinking.