List Manager wrote: > The list's rules on Minneapolis-specific content apply to candidates as > well as other citizens. Since Michael is running for Minneapolis office, > the real question is what sort of voucher program he would support for > the local school district. That is the Minneapolis issue.
How vouchers will affect the Minneapolis Public Schools is a Minneapolis issue and an important one. I believe that such an effect will be minimal and might even be positive, in contrast to what the Star Tribune thinks: http://www.startribune.com/stories/561/3024873.html My voucher proposal for Minneapolis is to improve the quality of education in the public schools. It's ridiculous that in a country as prosperous as ours that vouchers would even be considered as an option, but if the quality of education in the public schools cannot be improved something needs to be done to break the cycle of poverty. Do private schools provide a better education? Not if you only look at dollar amounts (as indicated by the Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3025591.html ) But I've argued all along that money is not the issue, it's the instructional methods, the expectations, and the philosophical perspectives ...and the only reason that it's the students (having to accept everyone), is because the public school management policies are flawed. If the Tribune only wants to focus on the irrelevant factors they're never going to see the forest for the trees and we shouldn't expect much accountability on the part of the public schools any time soon. I decided to run for school board because there haven't been any candidates who have proposed realistic and effective reforms. We need to make positive changes...soon. For example, as the Tribune mentions: Some state officials argue that teacher pay is where public schools fail to spend responsibly, negotiating generous contracts, then cutting staff and programs when the books don't balance. Be wary of candidates endorsed by teacher's unions. We need board members who will focus on students needs, not teacher salaries. Michael Atherton Prospect Park http://QualityEd.US _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
