Posted by  Ronald Morrow, Valrico, Fl on 01/19  at  09:34 AM

I strongly support the voucher system. Our school system is broke, often filled with incompetent teachers, administrators and bullied by the Teachers Union.
  If the individual schools can’t succeed as a viable teaching unit then close it down. Why send our kids to participate in a school system that cares more about money and protecting its teachers then teaching students.
If anyone saw the 20/20 show about Stupid America, Are Our Kids Being Cheated, you would feel like I do. Inspite of well meaning and respected educators we are losing in the educational arena. Vouchers are the only answer to ensure our kids go to a better school that meets all of their needs. Something which the public schools, for the most part, lack.

Posted by  Mitchel Banks, Tampa on 01/09  at  03:18 PM

Now that the courts have told Jeb that he can’t do that, it is time to address the problem. Sometimes a change of location and the personality of a different teacher may help.

If a school, or generally selected teachers aren’t doing the job, maybe it’s time to give the teacher a fresh start at a different school, or simply terminate the teacher. The effects of either burnout or simple incompetence should not have to effect generations.

Posted by  Joe Mattina Jr., Palm Harbor, FL on 01/08  at  05:40 PM

The public school system has steadily declined over the last four decades.  Our so-called educators have foisted their agenda upon the students, promoting self-esteem over accountability, plunging the United States into Third World status with respect to other nations’ student performance.  Make no mistake, public education is not free and the outcry against the voucher program is merely the clamor of the trade union over the potential loss of revenue.  I believe the Florida Supreme Court decision was levied politically… the well-being of the children was apparently of marginal importance.  School vouchers are not only a good idea, I believe they’re essential for students who have been stymied by failing public schools.

Posted by  Mike, Tampa on 01/08  at  12:12 AM

Ted, the private schools participating in the program weren’t allowed to turn anyone away based on prior academic record.  They were required to take them at random except for students whose older siblings had already been admitted.

Also, this is the law of the state only until a constitutional amendment passes - no court-packing necessary.

Posted by  Mike Sizemore, Ocala on 01/07  at  08:38 AM

The shadow behind school vouchers is a designed plan to dismantle public education. For the most part those who advocate for these voucher programs do so because they want to educate their children in a religious based program and not in the public schools. They are opposed to paying taxes to support any other educational program.

Where schools are out of control and the learning environment doesn’t exist, we need to fix that school.

Don’t throw the baby out with the dirty bath water.

Posted by  Jac Chiraque, Tampa on 01/06  at  11:52 PM

School vouchers are a good idea because the public schools are pathetic.

They should be available to everyone to send their children to faith based schools too.

Posted by  ted church, memphis, tn on 01/06  at  01:20 PM

Thats why they are called “public schools”.  They have to take everyone!!

And they are funded by the “public”.

“Private schools” are just that—private.  If one wants to send one’s angel to a “private school” which can choose to admit only the best and brightest (maybe) and turn away the not-so-best and not-so-brightest, one can pay for that privilege out of one’s own pocket. 

Unless Jebbie succeeds in packing the Supreme Court, that’s the law and the way it should be!

Posted by  kim best, tampa on 01/06  at  01:10 PM

My child is on Mckay Voucher she is 14years old and attends Center Academy in Tampa. I feel this was the best chioce I ever made for her ( one of those kids in the boom boom room and made to feel different, so of course she hated going to school).

The Mckay Voucher changed her life she loves to go to school and the kids are not singled out.

Public shcool is just what they say it is uniform and if your child dosen’t fit in there uniform then you fall threw the crakes and many children are made to feel different.

If the Mckay Voucher is discontiued these children will be served a grave injustice for childern who have suffered so much already.