Ga.’s back-door voucher program riddled with deception
From its inception, Georgia’s tax-funded private-school “scholarship” program has been shrouded in deception and guile. Its champions have misled the public and state legislators about the purpose of the program, how it would function and who it would benefit, and they continue to mislead today.
Yet with state money tight and public schools struggling just to stay open the traditional 180 days, defenders of the scholarship program want to double the size of the program to $100 million a year.
I have a better idea: If the program can’t be made open and accountable, with demonstrable evidence that it is serving those it was created to help, it ought to be abolished altogether.
Let’s take a minute to review how the program works: As a Georgia taxpayer or corporation, when you contribute a dollar to a private-school scholarship program, an offsetting dollar is deducted directly from your state tax bill. For example, if you have a state tax bill of $2,500 and donate $2,500 for a scholarship, your tax bill falls to zero. Since 2008, the program has diverted more than $170 million of state tax revenue to private schools.
According to its supporters, the program was supposed to help finance private-school scholarships for poor children stuck in underperforming public schools. Oddly, though, the law contained no means-testing for recipients, and it quickly became obvious why. The program was a scam. Once it was passed, supporters started openly pitching the program as a means for affluent parents of children already in private school to arrange a state tax subsidy.
“You can take this chunk of money and be able to say, “No, I want this money to go to education, and not just education, I want it to go to the school of my choice, and maybe even more detailed, (to) the student of my choice,” one legislator told parents.
The question of accountability is also critical. Public schools face increasing and understandable demands to be accountable for their use of tax money and their effectiveness. Students face required standardized testing; teacher evaluations are mandated; school districts are losing autonomy to the state. State officials may even strip members of DeKalb County School Board from office for failing to do their jobs properly.
So what accountability is being required from private schools accepting tax money? None. As in literally, none. We have no idea what kind of education our $170 million in tax money has provided. We have no idea who is getting the scholarships. In fact, in 2011 legislators passed a law making it a crime to release any information about the inner workings of the program.
It makes no sense: Why require increasingly minute oversight of public school dollars, while at the same time mandating willful, total blindness to how taxpayer dollars are being spent in a private setting?
In addition, much of the money is being used to subsidize schools that freely acknowledge that they discriminate against students and parents on the basis of religion. Taxpayer money should not be used in that fashion. As the Southern Education Foundation recently pointed out, those state tax dollars are also being used to subsidize schools that refuse to serve gay students or in some cases even bar students who dare to support gay rights for others.
At Providence Christian Academy near Lilburn, for example, students can be expelled or barred for “promoting, supporting, or condoning … homosexual activity or bisexual activity,” a policy that presumably would also bar the children of gay parents from attending or receiving a scholarship.
As a private institution, the folks at Providence Christian and other schools have every right to maintain that policy. Having such policies subsidized by the taxpayer is another matter entirely. If such discrimination wouldn’t be tolerated in a public school financed with taxpayer money, why should it be tolerated in a private school that is also financed with taxpayer money?
On Monday, SEF officials submitted a complaint to the state Department of Revenue that documents in great detail multiple, widespread, blatant and continuing violations of state law regarding the scholarship program. (The full complaint is available here; it makes convincing reading.) It will be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of it.
– Jay Bookman
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507 comments Add your comment
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
January 30th, 2013
10:17 am
CAN’T BLAME REPUBLICANS………… THEY INHERITED THE MESS FROM ALL THOSE DEMOCRATS THAT RAN THE SOUTH FOR DECADES!!!!!!!!!!
ALL OF THOSE DEMOCRATS JUST CHANGED PARTIES AND BECAME REPUBLICANS
YOUR ARGUMENT DOESN’T HOLD WATER.
Liberal Nightmare
January 30th, 2013
10:18 am
“ha ha ha.
Oh, thank you for sharing that useful bit of data, “Liberal Nightmare.” ”
…and thanks to you for proving my point about selective dissection of a statement which serves to refute an argument with a comeback that has no real meaning. Tool.
the cat
January 30th, 2013
10:18 am
Planned Parenthood in schools? Where???What the hell are you talking about? Condoms in schools tend to prevent unwanted pregnancies, hence prevent abortions. YOU are BLINDED by your STUPIDNESS.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
January 30th, 2013
10:18 am
Erwin’s cat:
Liberals are always worrying about what Chritians schools are doing but seem to care nothing about what Muslim schools (that receive federal, state and sometimes local aid) are teaching kids about Jihad !
Thulsa Doom
January 30th, 2013
10:19 am
EC,
I didn’t even think about AB possibly moving the Falcons to the burbs if the city doesn’t budge on financing. I guess we could have the North Fulton Falcons. Or Gwinnett Falcons.
The good news is that if the Falcons ever leave you guys are all welcome to watch Crimson Tide football.
the cat
January 30th, 2013
10:20 am
Erwin’s cat-so you are okay with all the scamming going on. Casas telling parents how to work the system?
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 30th, 2013
10:20 am
REED has to spend tax money to build a stadium in CITY OF ATLANTA so that the billionaire won’t leave…………….
MONEY HAS TO BE TAKEN AWAY FROM EDUCATION SO THAT HE CAN BUILD A STADIUM TO EMPLOY MINIMUM WAGE JOBS FOR GRADUATES FROM HIS EDUCATION SYSTEM
THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
MANGLER
January 30th, 2013
10:21 am
It’s crap like this that makes me glad I don’t currently have kids in a GA school, or a southern school in general.
Jay
January 30th, 2013
10:21 am
Here’s the law, kayaker. Show me where it says anything about an income limit:
http://archives.gadoe.org/DMGetDocument.aspx/HB%20325.pdf?p=6CC6799F8C1371F6CDE37353D1BA0FAEDA39D4C104B9CC5D25EE1A7D4357505F&Type=D
Here’s the explanation of the program provided by the state Department of Revenue. Show me where it says anything about an income limit:
https://etax.dor.ga.gov/inctax/taxcredits/HB1133_Student_Scholarship_Tax_Credit_Program.pdf
Here’s an explanation of the program provided by GOAL. Show me where it says anything about an income limit:
http://www.goalscholarship.org/about_goal/page/frequently-asked-questions
Here’s the original law, as passed in 2008. Show me where it says anything about either an income limit OR this alleged list of just 29 eligible schools.:
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20072008/86111.pdf
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
January 30th, 2013
10:22 am
They do love they Christian bashing they do.
Hey if the shoe fits.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 30th, 2013
10:23 am
Liberals are always worrying about what Chritians schools are doing but seem to care nothing about what Muslim schools
Oh you just know he’s dying to go THERE ..
Thulsa Doom
January 30th, 2013
10:23 am
Scout,
Christian schools = bad
Muslim schools teaching hate, jihad, religious intolerance, subjugation of women to little more than chattel= good.
stands for decibels
January 30th, 2013
10:24 am
Brain dead zombies for Obama don’t have a brain because it’s dead. Obama thinks for you… as he KNOWS the people that elected him need him to think for them.
Lovely.
A programming note: I got red-carded and a two day time-out from Jay’s, for simply referring to a fellow poster as “Richard.” (Ok, I used the shortened form, but still.)
Cosby
January 30th, 2013
10:25 am
Ahh..That damn State constitution…amazing you use the constitution to suit your purpous but like to ignore any constitution when it does not suit you…but wait, perhaps a full voucher system needs to be in place,,,make Schools competitive and perform or loose their customer – the Student…keep in mind these are Government schools dictated to by the Government that has reduced them to baby sitting services and to the benefit of the Union…..perhaps this back door approach is a little out of wack, but it does provide competition to the Government run babysitting so called schools and that is worth every penny of it!!
stands for decibels
January 30th, 2013
10:25 am
Christian schools = bad
Muslim schools teaching hate, jihad, religious intolerance, subjugation of women to little more than chattel= good.
Straw men=double plus good
Liberal Nightmare
January 30th, 2013
10:25 am
I don’t know this Erwin guy, but I sure do like his cat.
mbtc
January 30th, 2013
10:26 am
1400 gun deaths since Newtown.
mike
January 30th, 2013
10:26 am
Actually the HOPE program has been a scam since the first change made deleting the income limits on the program. The politicos of Georgia have finally accomplished their plan of making sure the less fortunate pay for the education of those who can afford their childs education. And now they are concentrating on spending tax money on private schools.
Interview Tips for Free market Jaysus Skool graduates
January 30th, 2013
10:26 am
If you complete 12 years with this bogus type of schooling you are
issued a “Walks On Water” certificate. If you continue to attend
the “Kollege”, after four years, you reach “Ascension” status.
(Something you should always mention in job interviews.)
“Would you like salvation with that? Drive forward” is frowned upon,
though, at the jobs you will eventually end up with after 16 years of
going to Voodoo Academies.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
January 30th, 2013
10:26 am
Christian schools = bad
Muslim schools teaching hate, jihad, religious intolerance, subjugation of women to little more than chattel= good.
Dang you beat me to it decibels.
Jay
January 30th, 2013
10:27 am
Steve, it works like this.
State law says that donors can designate which school receives the scholarship money, but not which student. In other words, you can donate $2,500 to your kid’s private school, but you can’t designate it to be used for your kid. That would be illegal.
The schools tell parents, no problem. Just bring in your receipt proving that you donated $2,500 to the program and designated our school as the recipient. Then we’ll just deduct that $2,500 from your tuition payment.
Erwin's cat
January 30th, 2013
10:28 am
MONEY HAS TO BE TAKEN AWAY FROM EDUCATION SO THAT HE CAN BUILD A STADIUM
No it hasn’t, the money comes from a hotel tax and is required by law to be used for the Dome and GWCC…It hasn’t “taken” money away from anything except tourist and biz travelers
Morality?
January 30th, 2013
10:28 am
mbtc – Don’t tell anyone that we are in a recession please as the brain dead zombies for Obama have been brainwashed in to thinking we are not in a recession but in a “weak recovery”. Austerity means “extreme”. How about just freezing gub’ment spending across the board for starters instead of increasing spending every minute Congress is in session? I would start with taking away the power of Congress to give themselves pay raises and reduce their salary 10 % every year until they get a back bone to do something about this debt.
Jay
January 30th, 2013
10:29 am
kayaker?
Erwin's cat
January 30th, 2013
10:30 am
cat – Erwin’s cat-so you are okay with all the scamming going on. Casas telling parents how to work the system?
so long as it’s legal
Christian Conservative
January 30th, 2013
10:30 am
DannyX
You too Christian Consevative, you’re ok with Christian schools cheating and deceiving?
I’m still waiting on that proof there skippy….
stands for decibels
January 30th, 2013
10:31 am
selective dissection of a statement which serves to refute an argument
Refute, my derriere. You’re doing ye olde “my unsubstantiated anecdote = useful data” nonsense.
The only useful data in that post is what you revealed about who’s actually footing your stake in your little hacienda at Galt’s Gulch.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 30th, 2013
10:31 am
“Christian schools = bad
Muslim schools teaching hate, jihad, religious intolerance, subjugation of women to little more than chattel= good”
It’s all in the assumption that there is a deterministic relationship between the “Muslim” and the “hate, jihad, religious intolerance”.
That’s racism.
Former Reagan Republican
January 30th, 2013
10:31 am
And my friends wonder why I joined the Libertarian Party.
Steve-USA (I don't have all the answer's, I don't even know all the questions)
January 30th, 2013
10:31 am
Jay@10:27
Thanks. I understand it now.
Thulsa Doom
January 30th, 2013
10:33 am
Muslim schools teaching hate, jihad, religious intolerance, subjugation of women to little more than chattel= good.
Straw men=double plus good
And if you believe that then you probably believe in a liberal fantasyland where in the Muslim world women are treated equally to men, madrassahs don’t teach jihad, and religious tolerance is such that Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other Muslim countries openly allow Christian churches to exist.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 30th, 2013
10:33 am
Jay, don’t forget…. give the grandparents $2500 and they can donate that money to the program and the school will deduct that too. The $2500 is a gift. Or maybe let’s call it an office cleaning fee. Or maybe you just work out a value to get that back. Or just help out the grandparents save on their taxes while you save on tuition.
Jay
January 30th, 2013
10:33 am
i“I’m still waiting on that proof there skippy….”
The proof — and it is extensive and well-documented — is available at the SEF link above. All you need to do is dare to look at it.
Common Sense
January 30th, 2013
10:33 am
Common sense would tell you that if your child is attending a failing public school you, as a parent would do everything in your power to change the situation. Common sense also would tell you that reading through this blog the liberals on here want you to simply deal with it and have your child suffer through with a lackluster education…..
Morality?
January 30th, 2013
10:34 am
Decibels – Heh don’t bring me in to your private matters with Jay. Take responsibility for your actions. Unless you are a brain dead zombie for Obama you should not be offended. Is there any one here that is willing to admit that Obama thinks for them? Silence – so I guess zombies don’t get offended so much ’cause they are dead.
janet
January 30th, 2013
10:34 am
I once attended a fund raiser for a private school for children with disabilities. The Principal of the school reminded parents and friends that they would get this big tax break if they donated to the school. When I heard this I thought “this can’t be true?”. I guess it is and so it goes in good ole Georgia. I wonder if this would be more rigorously examined if they found out that Islamic schools were established and taking advantage of this?
Welcome to the Occupation
January 30th, 2013
10:34 am
“Muslim schools teaching hate, jihad, religious intolerance, subjugation of women to little more than chattel”
Have you been paying attention to the kinds of things afoot here in the good ol US of A under your new Tea Party ascendancy?
Ought to be paying closer attention, Thulsa Doom.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
January 30th, 2013
10:35 am
Welcome to the Occupation:
“It’s all in the assumption that there is a deterministic relationship between the “Muslim” and the “hate, jihad, religious intolerance”.
That’s racism.”
Racism is about genetics ……….. Violent Jihad is about belief !
Keep your head in the sand !
barking frog
January 30th, 2013
10:36 am
Outside the publicly financed schools, at this time, religion can
be taught. I doubt this will continue sine tax money is now involved.
Christian Conservative
January 30th, 2013
10:36 am
Jay:
Why would I look at something that’s on the level of MessNBC. Simply because you think the way you do Jay don’t make it true. The laws passed here in Georgia are available for all… Not just Republicans as you and your ilk believe…
Thomas Heyward Jr
January 30th, 2013
10:39 am
Something does smell ripe here.
The more decent thing to do would be to allow a deduction on your tax bill if your children attend a private school.
.
But our state congress still has too many residual democrat lawyer/legislators to enact something that simple.
.
And as far as state oversight on these private schools that receive “public funds”?
Our children do not need to learn any ridiculous triple minority literature (Faulkner and Twain is fine) and our grade schoolers certainly do not need to learn about condoms and anal sex like they do up north.
Jay
January 30th, 2013
10:39 am
“I look at something that’s on the level of MessNBC.
Ah yes. Let’s review, shall we?
“You have no proof!”
“Here’s the proof, plain as day.”
“I refuse to look at the proof!”
alex
January 30th, 2013
10:39 am
I suspect that the “southern education foundation” is angry because the money is taken away from public schools where maost of the blacks in Atl get their education,Their mission is such to support the less fortunate in atlanta, go to their web site. Now , what bothers me if this legislator (name,Jay?) is right and the moneys can be directed to a specific student that could be used for nefarious projects.i , however do not, take the SEF position uncritically, reading more suggests this organization has a strong disllike of this program, where are the other voices—-TWO sides to every story, Jay
stands for decibels
January 30th, 2013
10:39 am
And remember, in Thulsa land, apparently any Muslim school — what was his phrase? teaches “hate, jihad, religious intolerance, subjugation of women to little more than chattel”.
But if you josh about “jerbs”, you’re a “bigot.”
.
.
(By the way, Thulsa–still waiting for that link to my supposedly “racist” post about Asians. It seemed terribly important to you to bring that up four or five times last week, and yet you’re surprisingly quiet about it, now. Gonna admit you mighta screwed up?)
/As The World Turns
Morality?
January 30th, 2013
10:39 am
MANGLER – We are better off because you don’t have children in our “southern” schools. THANKS. You can go to mapquest.com and you will find a lot of places up north you can move to if you don’t like the South. Will be glad to assist you any time. Again THANKS.
Look before I leap...
January 30th, 2013
10:39 am
“Brain dead zombies for Obama don’t have a brain because it’s dead. Obama thinks for you”
When the GOP can come up with someone who does not hold half of the country’s citizens in complete disdain because he thinks they are a bunch of moochers, when the GOP can present someone who wasn’t run out of DC on a rail, when the GOP finds someone who doesn’t have to remind me of his supposed Christian faith every 10 minutes, when they firmly eschew dilettantes and give me a true fiscal conservative who truly wants a smaller more efficient government, then I’ll gladly consider voting for them.
Got anybody like that in stable? If so, what the heck is the GOP waiting for?
Welcome to the Occupation
January 30th, 2013
10:40 am
Ilk sighted
stands for decibels
January 30th, 2013
10:40 am
you probably believe in a liberal fantasyland
You’re just making stuff up now. I choose to live in the reality-based world, sorry.
Erwin's cat
January 30th, 2013
10:41 am
janet – I wonder if this would be more rigorously examined if they found out that Islamic schools were established and taking advantage of this?
i don’t believe there is anything that keeps Islamic schools from taking advantage of the same program
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 30th, 2013
10:41 am
all those private school and christian school graduates become atlanta falcons season ticket holders and drive down to atlanta from the BURBS where they educate their children so they can spend money to help the APS and DEKALB school graduates with their minimum wage jobs
that system is messed up
Thulsa Doom
January 30th, 2013
10:41 am
“Have you been paying attention to the kinds of things afoot here in the good ol US of A under your new Tea Party ascendancy?”
You mean those middle aged folks in lawn chairs who pay their permit fees and clean up their trash when they leave? Quite a scary bunch huh?
Jay
January 30th, 2013
10:42 am
The proof that CC refuses to see consists of statements published by the schools themselves, on their websites and elsewhere, explaining step by step to parents how to violate the law. There’s really no question about it.
GT
January 30th, 2013
10:42 am
Sorry Danny X got carried away with business.
This state needs a uniform answer, not a group cloistered in a corner looking out just for their interest taking resources from the whole. One of the reasons we live in a cave around here is special interest come before the welfare of the state. You cannot run a state or federal government like that. The federal government is protected by the constitution not so much the state. The Christian Right just think they are helping the situation in truth they are destroying our community and with it our future.
What this state needs is organic growth not growth we have pimped from some other state or nation. Our problem is we don’t believe anything progressive works and the cover wagons aren’t selling well this year. We need more creative leadership which will make more creative citizens who will grow small businesses into employers who pay taxes. Stop saying no to everything, and get out of the doorway of school houses.
Christian Conservative
January 30th, 2013
10:42 am
Jay when are you going to tell us how great the obama economy is doing??? You haven’t mentioned it lately…
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100419252
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 30th, 2013
10:43 am
At Providence Christian Academy near Lilburn, for example, students can be expelled or barred for “promoting, supporting, or condoning … homosexual activity or bisexual activity,”
===================================================================
AND AT APS AND DEKALB SCHOOLS……………. STUDENTS CAN BE GRADUATED EVEN THOUGH THEY CANT READ WRITE OR DO ARITHMETIC
Thulsa Doom
January 30th, 2013
10:44 am
stands,
And in the reality based world Muslims have little to no tolerance of other religions in many Muslim countries, hate and jihad is taught at numerous madrassahs in Pakistan and elsewhere, and women are little more than chattel. Do you deny any of this?
TBS
January 30th, 2013
10:45 am
“Jay when are you going to tell us how great the obama economy is doing??? You haven’t mentioned it lately…
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100419252”
In the words of another blogger, you have just witnessed “deflecterbation”….
You need to stop doing that in public
Jay
January 30th, 2013
10:45 am
As obvious deflections go, CC, that one’s right up there.
Again, you asked for proof. You have been provided that proof. You refuse to even look at said proof, despite having requested it.
To which you retort with … OBAMA!!!!!
By the way, anybody heard from kayaker recently?
Erwin's cat
January 30th, 2013
10:45 am
Jay – explaining step by step to parents how to violate the law
is it? seriously question..I understand your displeasure with gaming the system but is it actually illegal? what is the offense?
Morality?
January 30th, 2013
10:46 am
What to do? What to do? Keep feeding tax dollars to a failed public school system or CONSIDER doing something different. INSANITY – feeding tax dollars to a failed system time after time, making no changes, and expecting different results. We need LEADERS not PARTY LOYALISTS running our schools. We need people with POSITIVE ideas of how to improve the system instead of PARTY LOYALISTS wanting to keep control.
barking frog
January 30th, 2013
10:46 am
This program could be shortened by the establishment of homosexuality
oriented private schools.
TBS
January 30th, 2013
10:47 am
Thulsa @ 10:44
True statement without a doubt. However Scout mentioned Muslim schools in the US getting fed, state and local funds that teach jihad and whatever else he mentioned.
I can’t say it for a fact it doesn’t occur or never has occurred, but I did find it strange that he didn’t list any of these schools with accompanying information to back up his assertion.
Christian Conservative
January 30th, 2013
10:47 am
Jay:
The report is from a far left organization Jay. No one would even remotely believe the crap they are trying to push. This will not be taken seriously and probably has already met the shredder… Why should tax payers be forced to send their kids to failing public schools when they could have a choice? That’s the question that you libs can’t seem to answer.
http://www.southerneducation.org/Home.aspx
Jay
January 30th, 2013
10:47 am
Erwin, the law says explicitly that you cannot designate the student to whom the scholarship goes.
The schools tell the parents that you CAN designate the student to whom the scholarship goes, and here’s how you do it.
Again, look at the evidence cited above. It’s blatant.
TBS
January 30th, 2013
10:48 am
Appears kayaker put to good use the paddling skills he has learned from years of kayaking or maybe he is on a “fact finding” mission to refute the information provided.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 30th, 2013
10:49 am
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
“Racism is about genetics ……….. Violent Jihad is about belief !”
Yeah, but funny thing about that thing “jihad”. Only browns ever seem to wage it. How convenient.
stands for decibels
January 30th, 2013
10:50 am
money is taken away from public schools where maost of the blacks in Atl get their education
Actually, “maost” of the nation gets their education from public schools.
About 90% of all the nation’s K-12ers.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 30th, 2013
10:51 am
“As obvious deflections go, CC, that one’s right up there. ”
=))
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 30th, 2013
10:52 am
Jay
January 30th, 2013
10:47 am
Erwin, the law says explicitly that you cannot designate the student to whom the scholarship goes.
The schools tell the parents that you CAN designate the student to whom the scholarship goes, and here’s how you do it.
Again, look at the evidence cited above. It’s blatant.
======================================================================
AND WHILE JAY FOCUSES ON THAT
POOR AND MINORITY KIDS ARE ROBBED OF A FUTURE STUCK IN UNDERPERFORMING SCHOOLS BECAUSE LIBERALS ARE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT CONSERVATIVES ARE TEACHING THEIR KIDS
SHAME
BLAME
THE SAME
Thomas Heyward Jr
January 30th, 2013
10:54 am
Up in Jersey………State oversight of Grade School public schools gets you this.
72 young minds singing this——————–
.
Mm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said that all must lend a hand
To make this country strong again
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said we must be fair today
Equal work means equal pay
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said that we must take a stand
To make sure everyone gets a chance
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said red, yellow, black or white
All are equal in his sight
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
Yes!
Mmm, mmm, mm
Barack Hussein Obama
.
.
O my Lord.
Christian Conservative
January 30th, 2013
10:54 am
Welcome to the Occupation:
“As obvious non-sense go, Jay, that one’s right up there. ”
=))
No one really cares about this.. Only the far left seems to be up in arms and they are a small percentage of our wonderful bright red state///
stands for decibels
January 30th, 2013
10:54 am
but funny thing about that thing “jihad”.
And here I thought the funny thing was how words can sound extra-sinister, online, if you use the Arabic instead of English. Imagine if our usual suspects had to slime Muslims by saying “School” instead of [duh dum DUMMM!!!] “madrassa.” or “Struggle” instead of [duh dum DUMMM!!!] “jihad.” Or, “God” instead of… well, you get the idea.
Morality?
January 30th, 2013
10:55 am
Why not just “gradeate” everyone regardless of their level of education so they will all get a nice diploma and their parents will be so proud of them and their self esteem will be like a “10″ ? My hand is raised ’cause I have a question to ask of the “educators”….. please please please I have a question. After we “gradeate” with our nice diploma can we go to college where you will give me another nice diploma and then will you find me a job with the gub’ment? Answer please – THANK YOU.
Erwin's cat
January 30th, 2013
10:55 am
Erwin, the law says explicitly that you cannot designate the student to whom the scholarship goes.
well then we’ll see what happens from the complaints of the alleged violations…I only say alleged because no charges have yet to be filed and no one has been indicted….but if what they are doing is deemed legal..I have zero issues with it.
DannyX
January 30th, 2013
10:56 am
Because the scholarship law is so secretive CC, Morality, and other defenders can’t defend their views.
When shown blatant evidence of cheating they scream “LIBERAL MEDIA, LIBERAL MEDIA”
DannyX
January 30th, 2013
10:57 am
“No one really cares about this.. Only the far left seems to be up in arms and they are a small percentage of our wonderful bright red state///”
So again Christian Conservative, you have know problem with deceptive, cheating Christian schools?
Welcome to the Occupation
January 30th, 2013
10:59 am
CC: “No one really cares about this.. Only the far left seems to be up in arms and they are a small percentage of our wonderful bright red state”
Afraid you got that one wrong too.
The neoliberal gutting and takeover of the education system is anything but irrelevant to the people On a slightly different front, but the very same crisis, see for example: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-09-10/news/chi-chicago-public-schools-chicago-teachers-union-contract-talks-strike_1_picket-lines-teachers-strike-president-david-vitale
UNCLE SAMANTHA
January 30th, 2013
10:59 am
When shown blatant evidence of cheating they scream “LIBERAL MEDIA, LIBERAL MEDIA”
=======================================================================
When shown blatant evidence of cheating (APS) they scream “BUSH, BUSH BUSH”
barking frog
January 30th, 2013
10:59 am
Public perception of law violation is not always the perception
of law makers or law enforcers.
Thomas Heyward Jr
January 30th, 2013
11:00 am
or was that chanting?
DannyX
January 30th, 2013
11:00 am
“please please please I have a question. After we “gradeate” with our nice diploma can we go to college where you will give me another nice diploma and then will you find me a job with the gub’ment? Answer please – THANK YOU.”
Morality, that one has been submitted to the Deflection Hall of Fame!
Speaking of “morality,” is it moral for Christians to lie and cheat?
weetamoe
January 30th, 2013
11:00 am
A former classmate who lives in AZ and has no school-age children had been directing her taxes to a similar program there. Georgia’s program as described here seems to be a bit different and in fact dishonest. I attended a Massachusetts Catholic day school/boarding school with tuition costs reflecting its excellent reputation. It was close to the Rhode Island state line and a community that had few regional secondary schools at the time. The state of Rhode island provided tuition payments and bus transportation to residents who wished to attend school across the state line. Among the parents taking advantage of the arrangement for their children were a number of fairly affluent non-Catholics. It all seemed to work out ok.
Christian Conservative
January 30th, 2013
11:00 am
DannyX:
I see nothing blatant! You don’t either. You only see what Jay and others like him told you to see….
appleseed
January 30th, 2013
11:01 am
The Virginia Governor says leave it alone it works fine as is.—————But.but,I just can’t believe deception in Georgia USA.
DannyX
January 30th, 2013
11:02 am
“When shown blatant evidence of cheating (APS) they scream “BUSH, BUSH BUSH””
What a truly hysterical post! Never once heard it, very bad attempt at deflection, UNCLE.
Erwin's cat
January 30th, 2013
11:02 am
Public perception of law violation is not always the perception
of law makers or law enforcers.
see Obamacare
Morality?
January 30th, 2013
11:02 am
Jay – are you bullying Kayaker again? Maybe Kayaker just can’t be on here 24/7. Maybe. Speaking of 24/7 I must go prepare my taxes to presented at the alter of Obama.
Christian Conservative
January 30th, 2013
11:03 am
DannyX:
And again. This has shown absolutely nothing but left propaganda simply because they don’t like Republican legislation. Shouldn’t tax payers have a say so where their child should go to school? Shouldn’t they have a say so in where their tax money is spent.
Jay
January 30th, 2013
11:03 am
Very well, CC.
Here’s the explanation from Fulton Science Academy:
“In the coming days, Fulton Science Academy will enroll in a School Scholarship Organization (SSO). This will allow families the opportunity to redirect their Georgia Tax Dollars toward their student’s private school education thereby reducing their overall private school tuition by the amount that they redirect. Under HB 1133, married tax filers can redirect up to $2500.00 and single tax filers can redirect up to $1000.00. This means that our student’s family can earn credit in the amount they deposit in the designated SSO, toward both their tuition and their GA taxes at the same time.”
Here’s a similar explanation from Dominion Classical Christian Academy:
“How can the Georgia Private School Tax Credit benefit my child in attending Dominion?
Donors can designate a specific student to receive their scholarship donation (as long as the student is not a dependent). Therefore, if a student has relatives who pay Georgia Income Tax, the relatives can make a donation and specify the student to receive the scholarship.”
And there are many others for those willing to see.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
January 30th, 2013
11:03 am
And in the reality based world Muslims have little to no tolerance of other religions in many Muslim countries, hate and jihad is taught at numerous madrassahs in Pakistan and elsewhere, and women are little more than chattel. Do you deny any of this
Got news for you. Christians aren’t the most tolerant group either.
It hasn’t been that long ago women didn’t have the right to vote in this country.
Kids from Blue States
January 30th, 2013
11:05 am
Thusa Cartoon or something- “Muslim schools teaching hate, jihad,
religious intolerance…blabla”
speaking of bigotreh,
nothing like a dash of bigotry to go with the failed con ideology.
haha see what i mean, like shootin fish in a barrel
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
January 30th, 2013
11:05 am
You can just sense the desperation coming from the other side.
They know they are losing.
alex
January 30th, 2013
11:07 am
@CC , I looked at the web site, I wouldn’t agree that it is far left. I WOULD like to see Jay reference another one of the institutions that reviews these projects, PERHAPS there is a more balanced view…. Kind of bizarre rationalization from Jay, the LAW says the schools can’t do it, so why complain about the LAW…the schools can say whatever they want. Jay, you seem to complain about the law, the LAW supports what you want, complain to the schools.
weetamoe
January 30th, 2013
11:07 am
Excuse the typos in previous post. I am taking advantage of being able to watch Senate hearings on guns. Some good points being made except for Kelly exploiting his poor wife once again.
Erwin's cat
January 30th, 2013
11:07 am
Cheesy – Christians aren’t the most tolerant group either.
well not the faux Christians anyway…If you ever meet a real one you might think otherwise
Welcome to the Occupation
January 30th, 2013
11:07 am
Uncle Samantha: “When shown blatant evidence of cheating (APS) they scream “BUSH, BUSH BUSH””
Yeah, the neoliberal direction taken by Obama and his education elite cronies like Arne Duncan stinks. And it is also an approach that is DIRECTLY in line with the policies started by George W. Bush and his neoliberal NCLB framework.
Funny, by the way, that Jay Bookman doesn’t bring up the large policy issues surrounding the issues such as the cheating scandal, the Chicago teachers strike, and the GDE corruption under discussion here. These issues are all related.
Thulsa Doom
January 30th, 2013
11:08 am
TBS,
Most Muslim schools here in the U.S. I’m sure are probably fine schools that just like good Catholic schools do nothing more than provide a good education. I just doubt that they emphasize much tolerance for other folks religions which to me is a quintessential American value. And I doubt that even the good ones are going to teach much if anything about equality between the sexes.
Some guy did a documentary several years back on a Muslim school that was literally teaching jihad and had their male kids running obstacle courses and engaging in military style training and indoctrination. I doubt there’s more than 1 or 2 schools doing that and I don’t consider that to be a credible threat. But I do believe that there are more Muslim schools than we think that do teach intolerance, male superiority, etc. Still its their freedom to do so even if we do disagree with it.
guy
January 30th, 2013
11:08 am
Keep up the arguing as it will change a lot. You can feel the love reading these posts. One thing’s for sure,we are all insane and selfish! Keep up the good work,all!
Morality?
January 30th, 2013
11:09 am
X – “Is it o.k. for Christians to lie and cheat? And YOU are asking me?
MaJo
January 30th, 2013
11:09 am
Help me out here. If someone contributes the money to the school and gets a dollar-for-dollar deduction, isn’t it their own money that is going to the school rather than someone else’s? Are we saying that any deduction is the same thing as “spending taxpayer money.”