New legislation to allow private corps to take over public schools

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/legislature/stories/032105dnmetedbill.53150.html

***I don't want my tax money that is going for PUBLIC SCHOOLS to be spent on private corporations. if people want to take their kids to Sylan Learning Center or other, that's their business. Makes me wonder, first, how my Texas Rep voted, and second, about the lobbyist money or other conflicts of interest with those who did vote for it.

Other provisions in the bill that have drawn the wrath of school districts and teachers include a new statewide start date for the school year, changes to testing and new rules on school board elections. But after merit pay, privatization is perhaps the most divisive.

The bill would require the Texas Education Agency to appoint private management companies to take over campuses that fail to meet federal benchmarks and fall in the bottom 5 percent of Texas schools in test scores and other criteria for two years in a row. Opponents say that approach has failed elsewhere and represents the ultimate loss of local control to for-profit business entities.

Many of the GOP proposals mirror the agendas of conservative think tanks such as the Texas Public Policy Foundation, which contends that schools don't need more money, just greater accountability for the way they educate students and spend tax dollars.

"Texans deserve to know that their money is being well-spent," foundation president Brooke Rollins said in endorsing the House plan. "Since 1970, we have tripled per student spending, but we have not seen any demonstrable results. It's time to demand more education for our tax dollars."
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then no tax dollars should be given to that school because that school has just become private. if the corporation wants to take on the responsibility to run the school it should also pay for it, just like tax dollars do for a public school.

This is a political power move for the GOP, they privatize the schools, then mandate what should be taught in those schools (like creationism), great way to raise a theocracy!!!

I vote for North East secession

We all know haw moral and upright most businesses are. So of course they will do a better job.

What this proposes is a private company seizing public property. Maybe the Texas Leg. will next mandate that private companies seize failing businesses. Can you see people sitting by while they turn over poor schools to private businesses?