tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post4998566234929011361..comments2024-01-01T15:35:12.954-07:00Comments on Simple Utah Mormon Politics: Utah Education Vouchers: To Tell the TruthFrank Stahelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01822334061980912687noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-89402623109461802262007-10-02T02:22:00.000-06:002007-10-02T02:22:00.000-06:00As a University student nearing graduation to beco...As a University student nearing graduation to become a Utah school teacher, I am surprised that anyone would think it's ok to have Utah kids taught by unqualified teachers. I am happy to adhere to the requirements and background checks, etc. in order to become a teacher because I believe that educators should be held to a high, unwavering standard of quality. Are there licensed teachers that are not productive that make the rest look bad? Of course there are. There are substandard employees in every profession. But using the 'slugs' in the education system to justify vouchers is not a valid argument. THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH MONEY ALLOCATED TO EDUCATION IN UTAH. So choosing to give vouchers just re-allocates what little money there is, and serves no real purpose. I applaud the licensed, productive, caring school teachers that have such love and concern for their students that they go to work and prove daily that they can do MORE WITH LESS than any other profession in the state. On the high end, some states spend as much as $11,000 per student per year and our Utah teachers do so with $2500. I made a conscious choice to become a teacher, and look forward to helping mold the minds of the future leaders of our state and country. I am only sorry that there is unnecessary bureaucracy to muddle this process.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-26799272210626480012007-03-22T17:52:00.000-06:002007-03-22T17:52:00.000-06:00Great insight!This kind of thing ("Then we might a...Great insight!<BR/><BR/>This kind of thing ("Then we might all take a bigger part in educating all of America's children") will likely happen with vouchers. Students will sometimes not have enough from the voucher scholarship to attend the school they really want to, so grandma and grandpa or a benevolent friend or neighbor will have a way to help them finance their education. The student and their parents will be forever greatful, they will feel obligated to get the most out of their education, and it will be a better situation all around!Frank Stahelihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01822334061980912687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-32391793897148722102007-03-22T17:17:00.000-06:002007-03-22T17:17:00.000-06:00"From my perspective, then, the only unsettled que..."From my perspective, then, the only unsettled question is whether people who don't have children in school should be required to pay for those who do." I have homeschooled my children from the start. I pay my taxes to support the other children in schools (cousins, nephews, etc...) I don't have a big problem with this. I don't see why parents shouldn't get back some of their tax money if they choose to edcuate their children privately. I don't see how the vouchers can benefit me, but if they can benefit my poor neighbor who sends her children to private school - then I'm glad the voucher is available. It is impossible to implement now, but wouldn't it be nice if taxes were voluntary. Then we might all take a bigger part in educating all of America's children.<BR/>JannaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-81961756474561413462007-03-20T09:30:00.000-06:002007-03-20T09:30:00.000-06:00Jeanetta,Thank you for your comments. I hope that...Jeanetta,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your comments. I hope that Utah will not suffer from the same problems you describe. I admit that I haven't done a great deal of study on the effects you describe. I have studied a bit about inner-city school choice in places like Milwaukee and it seems these instances have been successful.<BR/><BR/>I would like to learn more about your perspective. Do you have statistics or internet links that I can get a better understanding of the problems in other states?Frank Stahelihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01822334061980912687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-83413508720529317302007-03-19T23:57:00.000-06:002007-03-19T23:57:00.000-06:00Private school tuition vouchers, by definition, te...Private school tuition vouchers, by definition, tend to erode support for public schools. In some states, the existence of private academies for those who can afford them has enabled the persistent lack of financial and community support for the public schools most other students attend. It would be shortsighted to allow that to happen here.<BR/><BR/>In Utah we have quality public schools open to all with a wide range of programs designed to meet the needs of a student population with diverse interests and abilities. There are more choices within the Utah public schools than among all private schools, which are both limited in access and focus. <BR/>Jeanetta Williams, President NAACP Salt Lake BranchAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-40588340917835836742007-03-19T08:04:00.000-06:002007-03-19T08:04:00.000-06:00Rob,Thanks for stopping by. Yes, that would be gr...Rob,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by. Yes, that would be great to have my link on your blogroll. I will add you to mine.<BR/><BR/>I think the people do feel positive about educations vouchers, as other polls have indicated that Utahns feel that parents should have more choice in education. I'm not sure why that poll disagrees with the DesNews poll specifically on vouchers, but I suspect it has a lot to do with the emotional charge surrounding the issue right now.<BR/><BR/>It seems you are correct that PFC is providing most of the slogans. <BR/><BR/>I'd be interested in which specific points you disagree with in my post.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again.Frank Stahelihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01822334061980912687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-38320776727724398762007-03-18T20:47:00.000-06:002007-03-18T20:47:00.000-06:00Thanks for visiting The Utah Amicus. Why not see h...Thanks for visiting The Utah Amicus. <BR/><BR/>Why not see how the people of Utah truly feel about vouchers Frank. I know I would back if vouchers were held up after the people have spoken. <BR/><BR/>By the way, most of the slogans are coming from PFC. <BR/><BR/>I did mot agree with your post, but I am glad to know about your blog. <BR/><BR/>May I link you? <BR/><BR/>With every best wish,Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15268367840057258095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-11162273598601643212007-03-09T13:52:00.000-07:002007-03-09T13:52:00.000-07:00Thank you.Sloganeering is used by people who are a...Thank you.<BR/><BR/>Sloganeering is used by people who are afraid their point of view is not as valid as they want it to be. I think the truth straight up is much better.Frank Stahelihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01822334061980912687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-7487973855051486612007-03-09T13:26:00.000-07:002007-03-09T13:26:00.000-07:00This issue is going to be one of the most facinati...This issue is going to be one of the most facinating local public discussions in recent history. I'm glad you have the energy to look beyond emotion and slogans. Keep it up.The Senate Sitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11695078870269183604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-75578149978689556252007-03-05T20:43:00.000-07:002007-03-05T20:43:00.000-07:00Well said...Well said...Randyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07355419219390895296noreply@blogger.com