CTA: NO on SB509

CALL TO ACTION: Contact your legislators. Contact the members of the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation. https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/committees/ctte_s_assess_tax_1/

Tell them to VOTE NO on SB509.

This bill (which is very similar to last year’s SB128) would “establish” an education tax credit for taxpayers with kids not attending public school.

This is a “government school choice” offering.

Actual school choice already exists. It is not provided by the government, and therefore, is not controlled by the government.

The “government school choice” bills repeatedly brought by legislators are deceptions, designed to bring any outlying non-government education into the fold of the government.

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Why do legislators continuously bring these “school choice” bills? They are purported to be for parents who have elected to educate their children outside of the public school realm. However, these parents – especially home school parents – repeatedly ask to not be included. At the very least, these parents are not the writers of these bills and have not historically been the ones asking for this “government school choice.” Home school parents have even asked to not be included in SB509, and their request was denied!

So, why are legislators working so hard to “give” something to people who have not asked for it and DO NOT want it?

What is the history of “government school choice” legislation?

Could it be that the government is concerned that too many children are being educated outside of government designed systems?

Could it be that behind all the benevolent sounding talking points, this “government school choice” will eventually eradicate any non-government education?

Could it be that these “government school choice,” “money following the child” offerings are just candy to ultimately trap ALL kids into government controlled education?

Some points about SB509:

– Parents claiming this “opportunity” offering are subject to the IRS, as well as other government departments.

Is that characteristic of individual liberty and freedom?

– Parents claiming this “opportunity” offering are subject to government prosecution?

Is this characteristic of individual liberty and freedom?

– Creates the “opportunity” for parents and non-public schools to become financially dependent on the government offered credit.

Is this characteristic of individual liberty and freedom?

– Will result in non-public school tuition and cost increases by at least the amounts parents can claim on their tax returns. Simple economics.

How will people who choose not to claim the tax credit (as proposed by legislators trying to get this bill passed) be negatively impacted?

How will the resulting higher tuition/costs “help” people afford a non-public school education?

How have costs for all changed (increased/decreased) in other areas (farmers, healthcare, roads, colleges/universities, etc.) that the government subsidizes (via direct funding, tax credits, deductions, etc.)?

How has this impacted individual liberty and freedom?

– Reduces government revenues. And, does so for taxpayers already choosing a non-public education for their children. Have you seen the fiscal note for SB509?

Click to access fisc_note_sb509_00_0000.pdf

$240,000,000 !!!! in tax credits (just for tax year 2024)

By whom (and how) is this tax impact absorbed?

Plus, more government staff and IT costs, and unknown other impacts (see last paragraph.)

Is a bigger government budget likely or not to hinder individual liberty and freedom?

– Has several opportunities for fraud.

Any amendments to deal with these problems ONLY grows government oversight, control, and subjugation of the taxpayer and school to the government.

Is this characteristic of individual liberty and freedom?

– Grows government control.

Already the bill defines which institutions and by how much certain taxpayers can participate.

How will these be incrementally changed?

There is already much precedent and history of the Kansas legislators repeatedly amending bills it passes; amendments that grow government control.

Is this characteristic of individual liberty and freedom?

– Contributes to the nationalization of American education.

The bill provides for private schools accredited by a “regional or national accrediting agency.”

How does this impact individual liberty and freedom?

– Establishes a creative form of a government welfare/benefit/voucher.

Is this characteristic of individual liberty and freedom?

– Has unknowns as to even greater potential costs to Kansas taxpayers.

– Grows government reporting requirements on the part of individuals and institutions.

– Already embodies “differing” credit amounts.

“Reward” for enrolling in accredited education; “penalize” for not doing so?

How will credit amounts be subsequently amended in the future? (There is already much precedent and history of the Kansas legislators repeatedly amending bills it passes.)

How will the tax code continue to be used to manipulate people?

This bill ONLY makes it harder for any non-government education to exist.

We end up getting the most independent minded and self-sufficient individuals and families hooked on a government mechanism.

Please, contact legislators. Ask them to VOTE NO on SB509.

If you would like to understand more about Tuition Tax Credits (and school choice), you may want to read “Tuition Tax Credits – A Responsible Appraisal” by Barbara M. Morris.

Think these tax credits are some clever new idea? They are not!

This book was published in 1983!!!

And, don’t miss the Appendix or the chapter on collectivism.

Click to access Tuition_Tax_Credits-A_Responsible_Appraisal-Barbara_Morris-1983-104pgs-EDU.sml_.pdf

One last thing. We need to stop falling for the “it’s our money” narrative in regard to taxes. If that is the case, then do the same things happen when I “claim” a tax offering on a government tax form as happens when I pay for something with my own cash? Am I subject to fines/prosecution by the IRS when I just pay for something with my own cash? When the legislature passes a tax, do I have any say as to how what I personally remit is spent? Do I have any option as to whether to pay that tax? No, I don’t. I owe it to the government. I do not have the option. If I do not remit it, I am subject to fines and prosecution. When I am paid by my employer or receive payment for services rendered to a customer, those earnings are mine; they are no longer the money/property of my employer or customer. Same with the government receipt of our taxes. So, let’s stop with the “it’s our money” deception. When a tax is in place, a “credit” is only something the government is “allowing” us to have. It can be and is forever subject to being changed and having conditions added by the government. It is the government’s and the government absolutely decides how, when, if, and whether we are “allowed” to use it as per some government “offering” in the form of a credit, deduction, etc.

Do you want … Education for Individual Liberty and Freedom or “School Choice”?

Education for Individual Liberty and Freedom:

Parents’ fundamental authority to direct the care and upbringing of their child shall not be infringed.

“School Choice”:

ONLY the “choice” as to where EVERY child receives his GOVERNMENT education.

Let’s take a look at just one bill that organizations that tout “limited government” and “personal liberty” are pushing through the 2022 Kansas legislature.

Substitute for House Bill 2615

THIRTY pages long.  Does that appear to be immediately indicative of “limited government?”

New Sections 1 through 17 (10 pages long!) is titled the student “empowerment” act.

Parents and schools making the “choice” to participate are treated to:

1.      INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS on EACH child.

The government directly attached to EACH child.

GROWS GOVERNMENT administrative functions.

DIRECTLY ties GOVERNMENT MONEY to EACH child.

               Are we not presently experiencing how government funding is being used to mandate injections?

2.      The GOVERNMENT defining student eligibility requirements.

3.      The GOVERNMENT defining qualifying schools.

KANSAS TAXPAYER MONIES funding non-Kansas education?

KANSAS Taxpayers funding national/regional accredited education.

REDUCED Kansas Taxpayer REPRESENTATION.

4.      The PARENTAL placement of EACH child under the GOVERNMENT IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.)

5.      The GOVERNMENT defining “allowable” uses of monies.

Any “un-allowable” uses of monies may result in loss of student eligibility.

Parents must repay any expenditures deemed to be non-allowable.

Schools must return any unused monies to the GOVERNMENT.

6.      The GOVERNMENT defining “responsibilities of a parent.”

7.      GOVERNMENT process to appeal decisions.

Wait!  What?!

Parents are not just given government money for their child’s education?

Parents are not just given government money to “choose” how to educate their child?

Does the government money “following the child” really mean that the parents just get to choose which government approved/controlled school that their child may attend?

8.      The GOVERNMENT deciding whether EACH child is “eligible” from year to year.

9.      The PARENT signing a WRITTEN AGREEMENT (contract?) with the GOVERNMENT.

10.  PARENTS and SCHOOLS reporting information to the GOVERNMENT.

The GOVERNMENT will conduct AUDITS of the accounts, thereby auditing PARENTS AND SCHOOLS.

The GOVERNMENT will conduct annual random audits of the qualifying PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

The ATTORNEY GENERAL may be notified of any MISUSE OF MONIES by a qualifying PRIVATE SCHOOL.

11.  Being included in ANNUAL GOVERNMENT REPORTING that includes the NAMES OF STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS.

New Sections 19 through 26 (10 pages long!) requires school districts to establish policies to accept students from outside the school district.

These sections establish “open enrollment” in Kansas.

School districts are MANDATED to establish policies to actively accept students residing outside the school district.

Residents of local school districts vote on bond and other taxes for school districts.

Residents of local school districts remit taxes for the support of their local district schools.

Residents of local school districts vote for local school board members.

This bill ELIMINATES LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.

Local taxpayer moneys will be required to financially support students who do not reside in the school district.

Local school boards will not reflect the students who attend the schools.

This bill ABOLISHES local school districts and LOCAL REPRESENTATION connected to local taxes.

Opt Out Aug. 2021

parent-directive-docx-1Download

A SECOND CALL TO ACTION ON “CHOICE” THAT IS NOT “CHOICE” AT ALL!

Late last night, your legislators cut some deals to pass an education funding bill out of the conference committee. 

Back room deals are getting cut with entities with agendas that undermine your parental authority and will as a Kansas constituent.

BUT, “we the people,” and even legislators who are expected to vote as early as TODAY on the bill, do not have a copy of the bill as they drive to the Capitol or even know the bill number.

On Wednesday, ALEC “treated” the legislators to lunch and a reception at the Country Club in Topeka.

STATE REPUBLICANS ARE WORKING WITH ALEC, AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL, A DC LOBBY GROUP INSTEAD OF LISTENING TO THE CITIZENS OF KANSAS ON CONVENTION OF STATES AND ED CHOICE LEGISLATION THAT WILL HAVE THE GOVERNMENT $$$ FOLLOW THE CHILD TO CONTROL PRIVATE AND RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS!

How can any conservative purport that a GOVERNMENT FUNDED ACCOUNT in a CHILD’S NAME is “limited government?”

Charlotte Iserbyt — The True Goal of School Choice (newswithviews.com)

Charlotte Iserbyt — The True Goal of School ChoiceCharlotte Iserbyt is the consummate whistleblower! Iserbyt served as Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), U.S. Department of Education, during the first Reagan Administration, where she first blew the whistle on a major technology initiative which would control curriculum in America’s classrooms.newswithviews.com

The definition of real, “authentic” school choice (whereby parents pay for and make ALL decisions regarding what they want for their children’s education) can be found ONLY in private schools (religious, secular, or home school) which DO NOT ACCEPT ONE PENNY OF TAX MONEY OR TAX-SUPPORTED PROGRAM FROM THE FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

The “non-authentic” school choice agenda, …..

….. tuition tax credits, vouchers, and charter schools with their unelected school councils (taxation without representation)…..

….. promoted by …….

President Obama and his Secretary of Education Arne Duncan,….

….  and the Rockefeller-controlled globalist Council on Foreign Relations.

This plan was called for in 1934 by the Carnegie Corporation in a little book entitled “Conclusions and Recommendations for the Social Studies”. The recommendation in 1934 was to use the schools to change America from a free market system to a “planned global economy.”

No part of this phony “non-authentic” school choice agenda will give parents “true” choice since the agenda is taxpayer and foundation/corporation funded and controlled. Tax-supported programs require that the recipient of the money adhere to government regulations related to staffing, curriculum, testing, etc. If they don’t, funding is cut.

In 1981 the American Legislative Education Council, [which in 2012 was involved in drafting and pushing school choice legislation in all states] mailed to 16,000 state and federal officials and legislators a suggested educational voucher.

This writer understands the parents’ frustration over our “deliberately” dumbed down schools and parents desire to “do anything” (even take poison? (work force training, not being allowed to vote) to get a better education for their children. In doing so (accepting “non-authentic” choice proposals) they are opening up a can of worms, walking straight into the lion’s den, where their children’s education has been, for many years, carefully planned for them by the globalist entities mentioned above. Acceptance of this alternative form of public education, with no elected boards, will deny them any say in their children’s education!!!!!

Kansas House Roster: http://kslegislature.org/li_2020/b2019_20/chamber/house/roster/

Kansas Senate Roster: http://kslegislature.org/li_2020/b2019_20/chamber/senate/roster/

CALL TO ACTION

Please, TODAY, tell your state legislators (Senate, House, and Leadership) to NOT VOTE FOR any school funding bill that includes HB2119. 
(It was included in Sections 4 – 20 of “ccr 2021 sb175 h 2168” that ended in a tie.  MANY Senators did not know the content of these sections that they were asked to vote on.)
 
HB2119:

• More DIRECTLY BINDS the GOVERNMENT to EACH CHILD.
• Allows – in ways never before – for the INDIVIDUAL TRACKING of EACH CHILD by the GOVERNMENT.
• GROWS GOVERNMENT CONTROL of more PRIVATE/PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.
• GROWS private/parochial schools DEPENDENCE on GOVERNMENT FUNDING.
• Creates MORE PUBLIC FUNDING of PRIVATE entities, thus negating their true private status.
• Schools funded by government monies but not run by locally elected school boards DESTROY REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.

 
It binds via the establishment of a monetary account in each child’s name.
The same monies that fund public schools will now be directed to private/parochial schools.
 
How is it that organizations purporting to focus on “limited government” and “personal liberty” are wholesale pushing legislation to GROW GOVERNMENT and create more GOVERNMENT ATTACHMENT to the INDIVIDUAL?
 
Tell the Kansas legislators to NOT VOTE for any school funding bill that includes HB2119.
 
They need to be contacted today, as they WILL BE VOTING on a school funding bill in the coming days.
 
Thank you!
 
And, “Good Contacting!”

KACC

Find your Kansas senator here:
http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/members/?first_name=&last_name=&chamber=senate&party_affiliation=all

Find your Kansas congressman here:
www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/members/?first_name=&last_name=&chamber=house&party_affiliation=all

Yippee! Hip-Hip-Hooray!!! (Sarc ON!)

Yippee!  Hip-Hip-Hooray!!!

Today, your Kansas Senate moves to GROW GOVERNMENT!!!

Today, your Kansas Senate moves to INFUSE MORE GOVERNMENT into more private entities!

Today, your Kansas Senate moves to INFUSE MORE GOVERNMENT into the individual lives of kids!

Awesome!!!

Led by Chair Sen. Molly Baumgardner and Vice Chair Sen. Renee Erickson, the Senate Education committee feeling it “necessary” to get as many bills passed out of Committee as soon as possible got their part done!  SB61 was moved quickly through and passed out of committee; recommended to be passed by the Senate!

Isn’t it wonderful?!

Those things and people that are “necessary” get such attention!

Those things and people that are “necessary” get rushed handling!

All the while, the legislature HAS NOT felt the “necessity” of moving quickly to unchain your life from all its mandated restrictions and government tracking!

And, WAIT, your Kansas House will also be moving to GROW GOVERNMENT!!!

Led by Chair Rep. Kristey Williams, the House K-12 Education Budget committee has ALSO recommended passage of SB61’s counterpart, bill HB2068!  The House Education committee is working hard as well to GROW GOVERNMENT!

MORE GOVERNMENT REGULATION of private schools!!!

MORE KIDS being included in GOVERNMENT accountability reports and achievement reports!!!

Congratulations, Kansas legislature!

The people of Kansas cannot THANK YOU enough for RUSHING to EXTEND the SHUTDOWN of our lives – AND – GROW more GOVERNMENT!

We can’t wait to see how quickly the Rep. Kristey William’s K-12 Education Budget committee can pass HB2119.  It’s even MORE GOVERNMENT!

CALL TO ACTION ON HB2159

CALL the CHAIR Phone: 785-296-7488
Email: brenda.landwehr@house.ks.gov

and VICE-CHAIR Phone: 785 296-8621
Email: John.Eplee@house.ks.gov

of the Health and Human Services committee and express your high displeasure with their hearing of HB2159 – a bill SPONSORED BY the committee.

Once again, PARENT AUTHORITY and the PROTECTION OF CHILDREN’S DATA is being ATTACKED.

HB2159 — AN ACT concerning schools; relating to the student data privacy act; certain tests, questionnaires, surveys and examinations; permitting the administration thereof on an opt-out basis; providing conditions therefor; amending K.S.A. 72-6316 and repealing the existing section.  hb2159_00_0000.pdf (kslegislature.org)

Sponsored by the committee on Health and Human Services.

Chaired by Rep Brenda Landwehr

Vice Chaired by Rep John Eplee

Two years ago, in 2019, this EXACT bill (HB2361) to DIMINISH parent authority and EXPAND counselling and mental health personnel authority was heard by the Committee on Children and Seniors, chaired by Rep Susan Concannon and vice-chaired by Rep Susan Humphries.  In 2018, a very similar bill (SB389) was heard in the Senate Education committee chaired by Sen Molly Baumgardner.

HB2159:

·        Seeks to CHANGE the authority to administer surveys FROM an affirmative consent on the part of the parent TO a parent only being able to opt out.

·        Seeks to CHANGE the complete authority for the decision to participate in the survey FROM the parent TO an innate assumption of participation, UNLESS a student having been notified that participation is voluntary elects to not participate, OR a parent, upon notification elects to opt out.

·        Seeks to EXPAND the authority of school employees to provide services (which automatically include the administration of tests and forms) to a student WITHOUT the KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT of the parent, via the ADDED INCLUSION of the services of SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS with those of counselors.

·        Promotes and END-RUN AROUND PARENT AUTHORITY.

The provisions in this bill would allow for the administration of the Kansas Communities That Care (KCTC) Student Survey.  Sec 1.(a)(1) of HB2159 provides that a survey does not “record, request or solicit a student to provide any personally identifiable student data.”  If you look an actual copy of the KCTC survey, you will find numerous personally identifying points of data.  And, especially when these data points are considered in combination with one another, you most certainly do have the ability to personally identify survey participants.

ü  This bill DIMINISHES PARENT AUTHORITY

ü  This bill removes strong reverence and respect for parent authority and replaces it with a weakened nod to parent authority; replaces ACTIVE parent authority with PASSIVE parent authority.

ü  There is NO provision in this bill requiring an ACTUAL COPY of the test, questionnaire, or survey be provided to the parent as a part of the initial notification.

ü  This bill allows an END-RUN around parent authority via school counseling services.

ü  This bill does not represent, affirm, or protect the personal private intellectual data of students.

ü  This bill SUBJUGATES INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS to the purported premise of the benefit or need of THE COMMUNITY.

Terrible Bill–HB2119–Read More Here

Have we had enough GOVERNMENT intrusion in and control of our lives in this last year?

Did Kansans not show up and elect people to the legislature who campaigned on reducing the government’s stranglehold on our lives?

Have Kansas parents not shown up numerous times to demand schools be fully open?

Well, thus far, the legislature has managed to EXTEND the “state of emergency.”  How many days did it take for newly elected legislators to walk back their campaign rhetoric and VOTE to continue the infringements of our individual rights?  “Just two more months” of your life.  No problem!  Right?

Instead … legislators have been busy rushing hearings on bills to GROW GOVERNMENT.

Instead of – first and foremost – doing everything they could to end the attack on our lives and livelihoods.

Instead of – first and foremost – doing everything they could to fulfill their oath to uphold the Constitution, protecting and defending our individual liberties.

Instead … legislators FIRST ACTED to tell the people they could continue on in the same “shut down” “emergency” mode, while ….

Instead … legislators have been busy AS USUAL bringing all their lobbyist bills to continue GROWING GOVERNMENT, “managing” our little lives.

The legislature has done nothing to “fix” the schools it funds – apparently the schools at which kids are “failing.”

Parents and kids are TIRED of the “choices” many have been forced to make.

–        Remote / Hybrid / In-person

–        All the on-line time

–        Masks / screening protocols

–        Quarantining

–        Contact tracing invasion of privacy

–        Reduced or eliminated activities

–        Restrictions on families being able to enter schools and attend activities

So, instead of fixing their own public school mess, legislators are working hard to allow GOVERNMENT funding to be moved from public schools (along with the strings – SHACKLES – that GOVERNMENT monies have afforded the “failing” public schools) to homeschools and private schools.

The legislators have done such a terrific job with public schools that they fund, they want to see what they can do with their GOVERNMENT money “attached to/following” a child.

“Money following the child” = the GOVERNMENT following the child.

“Money following the child” = the GOVERNMENT’s DIRECT ATTACHMENT to your child.

“Money following the child” = the GOVERNMENT directly ENJOINED to your child.

Every kid that is “eligible:”

–        “Gets” his very own GOVERNMENT account, set up and monitored by the GOVERNMENT

–        “Gets” his account funded by the GOVERNMENT

o   Welfare check?

o   Why not have a “base” state housing allowance for EVERYONE?

o   Why not a “living wage” for all?

–        “Gets” a “base” government education allowance to “choose” where he “gets” his government education.

–        “Gets” to have reports regarding his ESA “bank” account prepared for state agencies.

“Money following the child” = the GOVERNMENT’s DIRECT ATTACHMENT to your child.

Even non-“eligible” kids in nonpublic schools accepting “eligible” kids “gets” the same GOVERNMENT education.  With the school having to comply with GOVERNMENT guidelines, programming, reporting,, and oversight, they will correspondingly be included.  Your “non-eligible” child will be nonetheless entangled in the same strings.  Sorry, parents.  Some of you who made the TRUE CHOICE and financial sacrifice to send your child to a privately funded nonpublic school will just have to understand.

AND, schools “win” too!                                                                                                         

–        Homeschoolers and nonpublic schools “get” access to GOVERNMENT monies

–        Homeschoolers and nonpublic schools “get” to comply with GOVERNMENT guidelines

–        Homeschoolers and nonpublic schools “get” to meet GOVERNMENT education qualifications

–        Homeschoolers and nonpublic schools “get” access to special program monies

–        Homeschoolers and nonpublic schools “get” to report to the GOVERNMENT

–        Homeschoolers and nonpublic schools “get” to be overseen by GOVERNMENT

–        Homeschoolers and nonpublic schools “get” to be audited by the GOVERNMENT

–        Homeschoolers and nonpublic schools “get” to defend themselves against any ways they don’t comply with GOVERNMENT directives

This bill is NOT free market.  It POISONS the market.  The “coupon”/account with the GOVERNMENT money for the child becomes the NEW NORMAL – permanent government education.  The GOVERNMENT  “coupon”/account offers vast powers of control over the entire education system.  It COMPROMISES homeschools and private schools, and UNDERCUTS public schools.

This bill brings more kids under ONE-TO-ONE GOVERNMENT monitoring and control.

This is confirmed by legislators stating, we have to give kids and option, “even if it has strings.”

Two see just how many STRINGS and “freedom” the legislature is rushing to “give” you, look at this 20-PAGE! “school choice” bill (HB2119).  hb2119_00_0000.pdf (kslegislature.org)  It’s being heard today in the House K-12 Education Budget committee meeting at 3:30pm.

20 PAGES of “FREEDOM”!!!!  Not!

We’ve also conveniently started parsing the details of HB2119.  Go here to see where the legislature you worked hard to elect is focusing its energy.  You know … rather than ending things like “states of emergency.”

Have You Contacted Legislators?

THREE things happening TODAY … Committee meetings impacting YOUR child and EXPANDING GOVERNMENT.

1.  HB2086--Allowing schools to maintain emergency medication and administer medication in emergency situations.

*Schools allowed to ADMINISTER MEDICATIONS – WITHOUT PARENT CONSENT.

*What if your child is allergic to the medication delivered by the school?  Is the school liable?

*PARENTS’ FUNDAMENTAL AUTHORITY IS MISSING FROM THIS BILL, hoping to become law.

*House Education committee at 1:30 today. http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_h_ed_1/

 2.  HB2068 

*This is the “school choice” bill we’ve been posting about.

*Heard in House K-12 Education Budget committee at 3:30 today. http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_h_k12_education_budget_1/

3. A hearing on the program  (HB2068) 

*EXPANSION of GOVERNMENT EDUCATION for ALL.

*Tax Credits for Low Income Student Scholarship Program

*Heard in Senate Education committee at 1:30 today. http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_s_ed_1/

“School Choice” PHONY. FALSE. TRICKERY. TROJAN HORSE. DECEIT.

A response to HB2068 to expand Kansas’ Tax Credit for Low Income program.

(Because we haven’t experienced enough growth of the government…sarc on!)

People have been led to believe that school choice, via some type of government mechanism (vouchers, tax credits, tax credit scholarships, ESAs, etc.) is the solution to escaping what they may not like about public education. They contend it will foster competition between government subsidized private schools and government public schools, with parents having more choice between schools and schools working to improve.

Do entities in receipt of government subsidies, tax incentives/breaks, or savings mechanisms have the same autonomy as entities whose receipts and finances are not the result of a government incentive, subsidy, or savings mechanism? Do government designed and approved constructs come with requirements as to eligibility, qualifications, limits, allowances, reporting, compliance, etc., or are they free of such things? What example exists demonstrating the lack of government interference or control when in receipt of government funding, subsidies, tax breaks, or savings mechanisms? Where has the government infusion of funding ever not increased costs for all?

We even have statements and findings to affirm the goal of inevitable interference and control by the government. A few are nicely provided by Charlotte Iserbyt in “Choice” Mixing Oil with Water. http://deliberatedumbingdown.com/ddd/2019/03/03/choice-mixing-oil-with-water/

– George Bernard Shaw, of the socialist Fabian Society of England, said, “Nothing will more quickly destroy independent Christian schools than state aid; their freedom and independence will soon be compromised, and before long their faith.” https://chalcedon.edu/magazine/vouchers-freedom-and-slavery

– ALEC founder, Paul Weyrich: “We are radicals who want to change the existing power structure. We are not conservatives … We want change – we are the forces of change.” In 1981, ALEC mailed a proposed voucher model to 16,000 state and federal officials. https://lithub.com/how-fringe-christian-nationalists-made-abortion-a-central-political-issue/

– Thomas A. Shannon, Executive Director of NSBA said, “Tuition Tax credits for private school profoundly change the character of private education. Private schools that operate with public money will be subject to public regulations.” “The immutable fact is that what the government funds, the government regulates,” Mr. Shannon warned, “and that’s going to change the character of private schools enormously.” https://www.edweek.org/education/proposals-for-private-school-choice-reviving-at-all-levels-of-government/1991/02

– Per The Interagency Day Care Standards:

– “Any agency, public or private, which receives federal funds directly or indirectly through a grant or contract… or by way of a voucher plan” must meet all programs that are set down for public schools. Acceptance of Federal funds is an agreement to abide by the requirements.”

– In a March 1984 U.S. Supreme Court ruled that private schools are subject to government regulation because they enroll students who receive tuition money from the government. Even though the checks are payable to individual students, not the school, the Court says any scholarships, loans, or grants to students “constitute federal financial assistance.” https://thenewamerican.com/how-independent-are-private-schools/

Therefore, let’s consider Kansas’ tax credit scholarship program:

– Defines parameters on amounts and uses of scholarship monies

– Defines student “eligibility”

– Defines characteristics and state accreditations requirements of “qualifying” schools

– Lays out the KS statutes that establish the program

– Lays out all the state requirements and reporting SGOs must comply with

– Lays out all the school accountability reporting requirements

– Lays out the reporting in order to comply with federal ESSA, state board CCR metrics, state longitudinal achievement reporting, etc.

There’s certainly no lack of government regulation.

School choice marketing asserts that there can be stipulations (i.e. limits) on government regulation. But, the evidence is to the contrary. Rulings and legislation language have decisively affirmed that acceptance of or participation in government financial constructs obligates the acceptance of government regulation. What should lead any person to logically think this “school choice” to be the exception?

Look at Kansas’ own history in regard to these tax credit scholarships. How has this program alone impacted the institutions participating? Are any not state accredited? Are any operating under standards that do not meet state standards for accreditation? Are any not submitting reports to the state? Are any not required to comply with the K.S.A. 72-5170 requirement for schools to publish accountability measures as established by the KSBOE in regard to SEL, kindergarten readiness, individual plans of study, graduation, and postsecondary success?

How has this program impacted the kids attending? Are any of the scholarship recipients receiving an education not accredited by the state? Are any of the kids not compelled to participate in SEL? Are any of the kids not on individual plans of study? Are any of the kids not listed in state databases with commensurate data points?

Privately funded education schools have always had the freedom to choose who attends their schools, to choose their own academic constructs, to choose to decline social emotional and mental health programming, to choose their financial constructs, to choose their hiring policies, to choose not to report to the government, etc.

But, when a private school is directly or indirectly funded by the government, it must become more like the public schools. Evidence and history bear this out. If this is not a correct statement, what example can be brought forth?

We also experience the camel’s nose under the tent and incrementalism. The overall goal is to grow government control. HB2068 demonstrates this:

– Includes a change from “at risk” to “free or reduced lunch” student eligibility

– Expands the public schools from lowest performing to “any.”

The direction of change is certainly that of expansion.

School choice ≠ education freedom.

School choice = The choice by parents of where/how their child will receive his government education.

Government education seeks to mold citizens into compliant government servants.

The data collection and reporting requirements have propagated the government production of extensive dossiers on every American from cradle to grave.

Jeb Bush, a big supporter of the ever expanding datamining of children and a champion of Common Core standards, is also …. one of the biggest and key promoters of … wait for it … School Choice! The SAME people financing and pushing Common Core, assessments, and technology to transform public education, SUPPORT School Choice.

“My personal belief is there is no one single thing that needs to get done,” said [Jeb] Bush …. What it will require, he said, is a combination of school choice (vouchers), CC standards, rigorous assessments, consequences for anything less than excellence, and using technology to transform education ….. [Deliberate Dumbing Down of America, pg 7]

What happens with public education? Is it eventually totally eliminated? What replaces it?

The Blaine Amendments?

Title I portability?

Direct Student Services?

Non-government regulated private education?

There is so much more to understand about this heavily propagandized false illusion of freedom called “school choice.” It’s not actual freedom.

Tax-supported school choice proposals affecting public, private, religious, and home school education are the vehicle to change not only the right of Americans to choose what kind of education they wish for their children, but may also result in changing our representative form of government to an “unelected council form of government” due to one form of school choice, charter schools, run by “unelected councils. http://newswithviews.com/iserbyt/iserbyt115.htm