Steve Hinnefeld, who you should follow if you are interested in education matters, has a good run down of HB 1005, introduced by Rep. Behning — the primary architect of Indiana’s school privatization efforts over the last decade or more. The short version: a family of five making $172k or less could be eligible for school voucher money. Educational Savings Accounts would be permitted as a vehicle for certain classes of students — a limitation which probably doesn’t matter much, since we’ve seen the M.O. of school privatization in Indiana has been to get the camel’s nose under the tent in one session, then invite him in during the next — to get state funding and deposit tax advantaged donations for the purpose of paying for “private school tuition, mentoring and tutoring services, college and university fees, online courses, career education and other education-related costs.”
But, definitely go read Steve’s post for a better explanation.
When I think things can’t any crazier I am constantly proved wrong.
1. The article states that these schools are mostly religious school, I wish they could have
checked on how many for profit schools there are in Indiana. I guarantee you the excess
money generated by the extra students will not end up in the teachers pocket. Well let
me amend that statement, the religious schools would be more willing to pay more to the
teachers, but they still won’t make a livable wage.
2. As I stated before on this blog, very little reporting to the state. Accountability be
damned!
3. Not sure if the rule has changed, but as far as I know teachers at religious and pay for profit schools do not have to have a teaching degree to teach.
4 The pay the teachers receive at these schools average out in the low twenty’s to the low
40’s for experienced teachers and they receive little to no benefits. A public school
teacher starts at 42 grand and has great benefits.
5. If this bill passes as is (hopefully it won’t) I suspect to see more for profit schools to
pop up. Since none of them can afford to build, they will try to move into vacant school or
private buildings. One big church in Indy renovated a Cub food store that had been vacant
for years.
Now for the public schools:
1. The public schools will lose millions and as usual the improvised school will be the ones
who suffer the most. Right behind will be all the schools that don’t have the business
tax funding like the Carmel and Fishers area school districts.
2. We will see more referendums by schools that have a number of these schools in their
district.. I do know Layfayette (West), Indianapolis, Bloomington, Kokomo the Gary Area
all have a large number of charter schools in the their county’s. and would be hit hard by
this law.
3. With the loss of revenue sports, band and other extra-curricular activities could end up
disappearing from some public schools.
4. More students per class rooms and the elimination of teachers aids.
I have a friend that worked as a teacher in Middletown OH and the schools could never get a referendum passed for the school district. She said that her class was so packed that five of the students had to stand up during class. I doubt if things go this far, but it’s possible.
I looked at the bill and what I can gather that, ‘the a family of five making $172k or less could be eligible for school voucher money’ is still up in the air.Will a single mother with two children benefit by changing this law. How could I forget no bus service that disqualifies so many poor people.
I am sure I am missing more negatives then positives to this proposed bill.
.I’m positive many of the Republican senators and representatives who end up voting for this bill are doing it in their OWN SELF INTEREST instead what the voters in their district would want..
It’s not hard to tell in this scenario who WINS!
With a number like HB 1005 there is very little chance that this won’t become law. This is a legislative priority of the house and the republicans have a super majority.
The only chance is the Senate breaking party lines.
Paddy – We can only hope is maybe the bill will be watered down some. Not holding my breath.
I am afraid this is the watered down version. Leadership isn’t going to assign 1005 to this bill without an internal nose count.
I spoke with our senator the other day and his reply was basically “Not a big fan, but this a legislative priority of our (republican) caucus.” He did say that he would amenable to some adjustments, but he isn’t going to make any amendments.
This is a place where ISTA 9state level) really honks me off. HB1005 is something they could get movement on if they messaged on it well and got their membership to influence their friends and family. Instead Gambill is wasting their time on direct teacher pay increase language. Take the small increases in state funding as a win in this economic environment and work with your local schools to get raises. The legislature isn’t going to write anything for you and HB 1005 is a middle finger to ISTA about that.