Iowa has one of the best school systems in the nation, but legislators are working to pass a voucher program.
They very likely belong to ALEC, where they got their marching orders to destroy public education.
The bill advanced on a party line vote, with Democrats opposed. Every student who gets a voucher will take $5,000 away from the state’s public school. That amount will not be enough for a high quality private school.
In recent studies, done by scholars of different views, vouchers depress student achievement. Do Iowa legislators know that? Do they care?
The sponsor admitted that his plan would reduce funding for public schools:
“Yeah, it’s going to take a student away and that funding will go away (for public schools),” he said. “But that’s no different than a student leaving for any other reason. So schools have to deal with that all the time – declining enrollment or enrollment changing.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I posted the original article and quoted your post.
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Unfortunately, there is no lobby to support common sense a evidence. Maybe NPE could prepare an email blast with information for legislators in states that are considering vouchers. Decision makers need access to facts, but they get lobbyists handing them campaign donations instead. Any state considering vouchers needs to understand that there is no legitimate value to them, and they should realize their state’s academics will most likely decline.
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Yes, you are correct. Look at Cols. Ohio.
Ecot owes the state 80ml. Students and tax payers are left holding the bag.
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come iowains, come off the farm and see what is going on
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TN is expanding their SPED voucher bill they misleadingly named a “scholarship”. Here’s the bill:
SB2610/HB2474 Eligibility for an individualized education account.
Sponsors: Gresham and Moody.
Students – As introduced, extends eligibility for an individualized education account to any student with an individualized education program (IEP). – Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 10, Part 14.
Under present law, a student is eligible for an IEA if the student:
(1) Is a resident of this state and has any of the following disabilities, as defined by the state board of education:
(A) Autism;
(B) Deaf-blindness;
(C) Hearing impairments;
(D) Intellectual disability;
(E) Orthopedic impairments;
(F) Traumatic brain injury;
(G) Visual impairments;
(H) Developmental delay; or
(I) Multiple disabilities;
(2) Has an active IEP and one of the above disabilities as the primary or secondary disability in effect at the time the department of education receives the request for participation in the program; and
(3) Meets at least one of the following requirements:
(A) Was previously enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for the one full school year immediately preceding the school year in which the student receives an individualized education account (IEA);
(B) Is enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time; or
(C) Received an individualized education account (IEA) in the previous school year.
This bill deletes the requirement that students must have one of the above listed disabilities as the primary or secondary disability in order to be eligible for an IEA, and makes any student who is a resident of this state with an active IEP at the time the department receives the request for participation in the program eligible for an IEA.
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That’s ironic because private and religious schools are not covered by IDEA. So student with IEP will go from a school where she has rights to one where she has none, not even a certified SPED teacher
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“But that’s no different than a student leaving for any other reason. So schools have to deal with that all the time – declining enrollment or enrollment changing.”
Wrong. The aim of vouchers, education savings accounts and similar measures is not just to deplete coffers of public schools but to erode public support for tax-supported schools and elected school boards. The full cost of education does not follow the child, including utilities for schools, investments in transportation, food service, insurance, security services, staff required for IT and accountability among many other particulars…and Diane notes, costs associated with special education and IEPs.
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Holy cow. Wake up, Iowans. They deformers are in full force coming for your children.
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