SC

La Socialista To Attack School Choice Beachhead

South Carolina’s second-largest newspaper will mount an aggressive campaign to wipe out parental choice in the Palmetto State before it is able to gain a foothold, sources at the newspaper tell FITS. Reporter Jamie Self of The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper – a.k.a. La Socialista – has been given the…

South Carolina’s second-largest newspaper will mount an aggressive campaign to wipe out parental choice in the Palmetto State before it is able to gain a foothold, sources at the newspaper tell FITS.

Reporter Jamie Self of The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper – a.k.a. La Socialista – has been given the responsibility of attacking the fledgling program, which is currently limited to children with disabilities.

Self is already on the job, too …

Before the program even became law, Self published a story in The State entitled “Private-school Advocates Poised for SC ‘choice’ experiment.” Her piece ran alongside a picture of well-groomed, lily white children wearing school uniforms – none of whom appeared to have a disability.

Let the demonization begin, right?

According to our sources, Self has been tasked with tearing this program down over the coming months in an effort to force lawmakers to abandon it during next year’s budget debate. That’s pure agenda-driven propagandizing, people – not reporting.

This comes as no surprise, though … after all La Socialista has been doing this sort of thing for years on behalf of our state’s failed government-run education system.

When did our state’s news outlets become such servile apologists for the status quo? And such enemies of the parents and children fighting to break free from its vice grip? Or has it always been this way?

Shameful …

Oh well … we know exactly what the results will be if The State and other opponents of market-based reform are successful in killing off expanded parental choice before it has a chance to grow.

***

 

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71 comments

Jan July 1, 2013 at 12:21 pm

‘Let the demonization begin, right?”

I assume this question relates to this article, and its unnamed sources, since there was nothing in the article by the State that was negative about the program. It simply quoted people and provided facts.

It seems as though the advance demonization is coming only from you.

Reply
Will Folks aka Sic July 1, 2013 at 12:29 pm

La Socialista quoted the SC School Boards Association and some new group called PRO-Parents – both of which attacked the program. And check the “Unfair, Imbalanced” tag at the top of this story. Unlike the MSM we are HONEST about our bias.

Reply
rwwllms July 1, 2013 at 12:32 pm

What ‘facts’? It’s just made up shit. Fact is Parental Choice works and is very successful in states that don’t have obama kool-aid swilling binder wearing ignorant assholes like you trying to ruin our once great country.

Reply
Jan July 1, 2013 at 12:21 pm

‘Let the demonization begin, right?”

I assume this question relates to this article, and its unnamed sources, since there was nothing in the article by the State that was negative about the program. It simply quoted people and provided facts.

It seems as though the advance demonization is coming only from you.

Reply
Will Folks aka Sic July 1, 2013 at 12:29 pm

La Socialista quoted the SC School Boards Association and some new group called PRO-Parents – both of which attacked the program. And check the “Unfair, Imbalanced” tag at the top of this story. Unlike the MSM we are HONEST about our bias.

Reply
rwwllms July 1, 2013 at 12:32 pm

What ‘facts’? It’s just made up shit. Fact is Parental Choice works and is very successful in states that don’t have obama kool-aid swilling binder wearing ignorant assholes like you trying to ruin our once great country.

Reply
Brian Horton July 1, 2013 at 12:34 pm

People in SC still read The State??

Reply
Sex Wax July 1, 2013 at 12:51 pm

Some literate ones may peek at it here and there…

Reply
chickenoregg July 2, 2013 at 6:39 am

If they can read, thank public education. If they can’t, thank public education. We do a poor job of it but just automatically thinking that privatizing it will solve the problem is fairy land. The core of our problem with education is demographic and no privatizing or funding will change that. We have to use other methods.

Reply
Brian Horton July 1, 2013 at 12:34 pm

People in SC still read The State??

Reply
Sex Wax July 1, 2013 at 12:51 pm

Some literate ones may peek at it here and there…

Reply
chickenoregg July 2, 2013 at 6:39 am

If they can read, thank public education. If they can’t, thank public education. We do a poor job of it but just automatically thinking that privatizing it will solve the problem is fairy land. The core of our problem with education is demographic and no privatizing or funding will change that. We have to use other methods.

Reply
ThreePalms July 1, 2013 at 12:48 pm

I don’t think there is a larger issue than “school choice” that better illustratrates how conservative republicans are clamoring to get on the government dole in order to finance their private school tuition. Willie, if you don’t want to send your kid to public schools than don’t send them. But do not ask the citizens of South Carolina to redirect what little money we spend on education to your house in order for you to pay the private school tuition.
Don’t be a taker. Stand up on your own two feet and behave like a man!

Reply
Answer Man July 1, 2013 at 2:17 pm

“What little money we spend?” You are crazy. Why do we want to protect the government from competing with more efficient, MUCH cheaper education? If these charters don’t work, send your kids to regular education. It is all about more choices for the consumer. Why should parents who choose to send their kids for private education pay twice?

Reply
CNSYD July 1, 2013 at 2:26 pm

Then why should property owners with no children pay the taxes on their property assessed by school districts?

Reply
? July 1, 2013 at 3:51 pm

You are correct, only parents should be paying for their kids education.

Government has decided otherwise, so naturally everything surrounding education is a mess.

There’s a powerful, taxpayer supported lobby in the form of teachesr, administrators, etc. that works against reducing cost to the taxpayer aside from performance issues.

As usual, government involvement has corrupted education in many ways.

Reply
darth July 2, 2013 at 9:27 am

But as Herr Hitler pleaded, it is for the children… the reality is it is for control of this block of dollars, in the hands of a “non-partisan” local school board, with little corridor of slavery, er shame, accountability or responsibility.

? July 2, 2013 at 9:30 am

I agree, see my post 20 ticks after yours.

Our whole system is a germanic based system. When you look at the similarities and even how our own propaganda machine railed against it 70 years ago you can see we’ve become the thing we used to despise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l14WDZCnz-w

chickenoregg July 2, 2013 at 6:32 am

Yeah, just what we need. More CHEAP education. Use your head, person. We spend less on the education of our children than most states. We should be ashamed. So what do you want–the low bidder to educate your kids??? You and your ilk make me puke.

Reply
? July 2, 2013 at 9:27 am

The scenario you paint isn’t how most people buy anything.

They look at their budget, use their value you system and then buy accordingly…looking for “value” in the price to quality perception.

Of course, “answer man” using the word “cheap” doesn’t help. But regardless, there is no market force involved with public education.

There are no price signals and very little accountability. It is the epitome of a centrally planned market.

Reply
? July 2, 2013 at 10:06 am

edit: “value system”

? July 1, 2013 at 3:48 pm

Government has decided that K-12 education is to be paid for by taxes, so in reality all that go to public schools are “on the dole”.

Reply
ThreePalms July 1, 2013 at 12:48 pm

I don’t think there is a larger issue than “school choice” that better illustratrates how conservative republicans are clamoring to get on the government dole in order to finance their private school tuition. Willie, if you don’t want to send your kid to public schools than don’t send them. But do not ask the citizens of South Carolina to redirect what little money we spend on education to your house in order for you to pay the private school tuition.
Don’t be a taker. Stand up on your own two feet and behave like a man!

Reply
Answer Man July 1, 2013 at 2:17 pm

“What little money we spend?” You are crazy. Why do we want to protect the government from competing with more efficient, MUCH cheaper education? If these charters don’t work, send your kids to regular education. It is all about more choices for the consumer. Why should parents who choose to send their kids for private education pay twice?

Reply
CNSYD July 1, 2013 at 2:26 pm

Then why should property owners with no children pay the taxes on their property assessed by school districts?

Reply
? July 1, 2013 at 3:51 pm

You are correct, only parents should be paying for their kids education.

Government has decided otherwise, so naturally everything surrounding education is a mess.

There’s a powerful, taxpayer supported lobby in the form of teachesr, administrators, etc. that works against reducing cost to the taxpayer aside from performance issues.

As usual, government involvement has corrupted education in many ways.

Reply
darth July 2, 2013 at 9:27 am

But as Herr Hitler pleaded, it is for the children… the reality is it is for control of this block of dollars, in the hands of a “non-partisan” local school board, with little corridor of slavery, er shame, accountability or responsibility.

? July 2, 2013 at 9:30 am

I agree, see my post 20 ticks after yours.

Our whole system is a germanic based system. When you look at the similarities and even how our own propaganda machine railed against it 70 years ago you can see we’ve become the thing we used to despise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l14WDZCnz-w

chickenoregg July 2, 2013 at 6:32 am

Yeah, just what we need. More CHEAP education. Use your head, person. We spend less on the education of our children than most states. We should be ashamed. So what do you want–the low bidder to educate your kids??? You and your ilk make me puke.

Reply
? July 2, 2013 at 9:27 am

The scenario you paint isn’t how most people buy anything.

They look at their budget, use their value you system and then buy accordingly…looking for “value” in the price to quality perception.

Of course, “answer man” using the word “cheap” doesn’t help. But regardless, there is no market force involved with public education.

There are no price signals and very little accountability. It is the epitome of a centrally planned market.

Reply
? July 2, 2013 at 10:06 am

edit: “value system”

? July 1, 2013 at 3:48 pm

Government has decided that K-12 education is to be paid for by taxes, so in reality all that go to public schools are “on the dole”.

Reply
Vanguard16 July 1, 2013 at 12:49 pm

What’s the deal, you already have the choice to send your kid to private or public school?

Oh wait, you expect taxpayers to pay for your kid’s private school education!!

Reply
Answer Man July 1, 2013 at 2:21 pm

The world’s biggest union NEA is scared to death of the changes coming down regarding efficient education. It is terrifying that you may be able to teach children without having to construct small universities and twelve levels of bureaucracy. Why are charter schools so opposed? Because they work and will put the teachers that should be cashiers out of a job.

Reply
nitrat July 1, 2013 at 5:26 pm

They’re opposed because some people grasp a real example of crony capitalism when they see it.

Reply
Vanguard16 July 1, 2013 at 12:49 pm

What’s the deal, you already have the choice to send your kid to private or public school?

Oh wait, you expect taxpayers to pay for your kid’s private school education!!

Reply
Answer Man July 1, 2013 at 2:21 pm

The world’s biggest union NEA is scared to death of the changes coming down regarding efficient education. It is terrifying that you may be able to teach children without having to construct small universities and twelve levels of bureaucracy. Why are charter schools so opposed? Because they work and will put the teachers that should be cashiers out of a job.

Reply
nitrat July 1, 2013 at 5:26 pm

They’re opposed because some people grasp a real example of crony capitalism when they see it.

Reply
Amused Observer July 1, 2013 at 1:01 pm

This isn’t market-based reform. If it was, there would be accountability and transparency required for private schools benefitting from public money built into the legislation. This is simply a subsidy for a lot of “worst in the nation” private schools.

Reply
Amused Observer July 1, 2013 at 1:01 pm

This isn’t market-based reform. If it was, there would be accountability and transparency required for private schools benefitting from public money built into the legislation. This is simply a subsidy for a lot of “worst in the nation” private schools.

Reply
CNSYD July 1, 2013 at 1:09 pm

Today is July 1. Sic Willie had to write something, anything, to get Howie’s check.

Reply
GrandTango July 1, 2013 at 2:32 pm

The only time FITS is right on an issue, it is because responsible, honest people are dragging him into it…
Left to his own devices (or instincts) FITS is a lot like much of leftwing media…

Reply
CNSYD July 1, 2013 at 1:09 pm

Today is July 1. Sic Willie had to write something, anything, to get Howie’s check.

Reply
Smirks July 1, 2013 at 1:32 pm

The only way the “free market” can work its magic is if we let the private institutions pull up a chair and suckle on gubmint’s teat!

Or, you know, not.

Reply
Smirks July 1, 2013 at 1:32 pm

The only way the “free market” can work its magic is if we let the private institutions pull up a chair and suckle on gubmint’s teat!

Or, you know, not.

Reply
GrandTango July 1, 2013 at 2:30 pm

There is not a lot of difference, editorially, in FITS and The State…Except school choice people are Sanford’s pals…and likely a top funding source for FITS….

Letting citizens choose is very American…FITS is on the right side of it, only for convenience and self-serving purposes…

Otherwise: FITS and The State have many of the same ends…

Reply
Vanguard16 July 1, 2013 at 2:31 pm

Damn! I actually agree with Big T once!!

Reply
GrandTango July 1, 2013 at 3:19 pm

Pretty smart on your part..once!!.

Reply
jurisdoc July 1, 2013 at 2:47 pm

Whew, for a minute there I thought Howie might not send you his check this month…….. Don’t want your wife starving.

Reply
jurisdoc July 1, 2013 at 2:47 pm

Whew, for a minute there I thought Howie might not send you his check this month…….. Don’t want your wife starving.

Reply
9" July 1, 2013 at 3:49 pm

Fits stubborn,endless whining about ‘government schools’ ,plus calling an extremely conservative newspaper,’La Socialista’,reminds me of the hopelessly naive rantings of 60’s era hippies,who promised a Utopia,after the ‘Revolution’…

Accept reality,dude.Your dreams will never come true.

Reply
9" July 1, 2013 at 3:49 pm

Fits stubborn,endless whining about ‘government schools’ ,plus calling an extremely conservative newspaper,’La Socialista’,reminds me of the hopelessly naive rantings of 60’s era hippies,who promised a Utopia,after the ‘Revolution’…

Accept reality,dude.Your dreams will never come true.

Reply
Baker July 1, 2013 at 4:11 pm

Will Folks describes the current legislation as a “beachhead.” That’s a good indication of where his ilk want to go. They aren’t going to be satisfied with small steps or with choice plans targeted at specific groups of student who may have particular needs. They are going to keep pushing for more. And if folks like Will got their way, by the time it’s done we’d have no public schools (he has said he thinks there should be no government involvement in education).

That’s why it’s not a good move for so-called moderate politicians to give in and agree to targeted/limited choice for the sake of keeping the Tea Party, etc. types off their back. The attack groups are going to keep coming after them until they get everything they want — which, again, might be the eradication of public education altogether.

Reply
GrandTango July 1, 2013 at 4:46 pm

Not saying they are…but if public schools are doing a horrible job, you’d be stupid not to “eradicate” them…
You seem to think you’re entitled to FAILURE just because you have wrapped yourself in the word PUBLIC. But so many things PUBLIC, from transportation to healhtcare, are a complete failure….and anyone trying to rescue them is bashed for it…

Reply
Baker July 2, 2013 at 3:58 pm

Perhaps I should know better than to carry on a discussion with Big T, but….our public schools are by no means a total failure. I know of public school kids heading off to Ivy League schools and other highly regarded colleges. Clearly, they were not failed by public education. Everyone agrees that there is significant work to be done, but this business of describing public education as a failure that needs to be eradicated is silliness.

And this talk of everyone “public” being bad news. Many publicly owned hospitals have a better reputation than corporate-run hospitals. And transportation? I’m not familiar with the city bus system in Columbia, but our roads are publicly owned. A lot of folks use the federal interstate system and seem to think they can get around on them pretty effectively.

Reply
GrandTango July 2, 2013 at 4:07 pm

You sound like a Communist, trying to FORCE people to do it your (the government’s) way…even when THE PEOPLE are paying…

That said: Children are mandated, by the government, to be educated. And citizens are FORCED to use public schools and pay for them….or buy an alternative….

The point is: if you CHOOSE not to use a public school, it lessens the expenditure for the public school. That money should follow the student….Alternative school people are just asking for some of the money they are giving to FAILED schools….to find a better direction for their child…

You are an unreasonable monster to hate them for that….

Reply
Baker July 1, 2013 at 4:11 pm

Will Folks describes the current legislation as a “beachhead.” That’s a good indication of where his ilk want to go. They aren’t going to be satisfied with small steps or with choice plans targeted at specific groups of student who may have particular needs. They are going to keep pushing for more. And if folks like Will got their way, by the time it’s done we’d have no public schools (he has said he thinks there should be no government involvement in education).

That’s why it’s not a good move for so-called moderate politicians to give in and agree to targeted/limited choice for the sake of keeping the Tea Party, etc. types off their back. The attack groups are going to keep coming after them until they get everything they want — which, again, might be the eradication of public education altogether.

Reply
nitrat July 1, 2013 at 5:23 pm

“…agenda-driven propagandizing…”

That’s what YOU do, son.

Reply
nitrat July 1, 2013 at 5:23 pm

“…agenda-driven propagandizing…”

That’s what YOU do, son.

Reply
chickenoregg July 2, 2013 at 6:44 am

Can somebody please provide me with references and verifiable studies that show that private schools solve all the problems with public education? I can’t find any such studies. And without that proof, why do we make such allegations? This is scientifically measurable and if it can be proven, I am willing to consider it. But where is the proof? Or is this just some scheme for conservative thinkers to tap into my tax dollars?

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Tom July 2, 2013 at 9:15 am

There is no proof. The people supporting these bills do not believe there should be public education. They have abandoned that system and they now want to stop supporting it altogether. They also will not support any efforts to make it better, because they are not going to use public schools no matter what, and if the public schools get better it undercuts their argument that all public school are bad. That is why the are constantly insulting the intelligence of and belittling children who go to public school. They are willing to attack them to achieve their goals.

Despite their arguments South Carolina has many excellent public schools. Some of our public schools even rank in the top public schools in the country, and every year more children go on to excellent colleges from public schools than they do from private schools in SC. The schools are uneven however, and they way they are managed needs to be modernized. But the supporters of the “give me money to pay for private school” bills, are not interested in fixing any of that. .

Reply
chickenoregg July 2, 2013 at 6:44 am

Can somebody please provide me with references and verifiable studies that show that private schools solve all the problems with public education? I can’t find any such studies. And without that proof, why do we make such allegations? This is scientifically measurable and if it can be proven, I am willing to consider it. But where is the proof? Or is this just some scheme for conservative thinkers to tap into my tax dollars?

Reply
Tom July 2, 2013 at 9:15 am

There is no proof. The people supporting these bills do not believe there should be public education. They have abandoned that system and they now want to stop supporting it altogether. They also will not support any efforts to make it better, because they are not going to use public schools no matter what, and if the public schools get better it undercuts their argument that all public school are bad. That is why the are constantly insulting the intelligence of and belittling children who go to public school. They are willing to attack them to achieve their goals.

Despite their arguments South Carolina has many excellent public schools. Some of our public schools even rank in the top public schools in the country, and every year more children go on to excellent colleges from public schools than they do from private schools in SC. The schools are uneven however, and they way they are managed needs to be modernized. But the supporters of the “give me money to pay for private school” bills, are not interested in fixing any of that. .

Reply
Hands off my wallet July 2, 2013 at 12:18 pm

I am not paying your kids’ private school tuition.

Reply
? July 2, 2013 at 4:17 pm

Actually, you don’t have a choice in the matter. No one does, regardless of which viewpoint they hold.

So, if they decide they are going to give vouchers, tax breaks, or whatever to whoever you don’t get a say…just like you don’t get a say now on your money paying for public schools.

Reply
Hands off my wallet July 2, 2013 at 12:18 pm

I am not paying your kids’ private school tuition.

Reply
? July 2, 2013 at 4:17 pm

Actually, you don’t have a choice in the matter. No one does, regardless of which viewpoint they hold.

So, if they decide they are going to give vouchers, tax breaks, or whatever to whoever you don’t get a say…just like you don’t get a say now on your money paying for public schools.

Reply
Polyphemos July 2, 2013 at 5:54 pm

Public education in almost every state is a total failure. SC is no exception.

Education depends on all of the following in this order of importance:

1. the student wanting to learn the given subject
2. the student being able to learn the given subject
3. the given subject covering the given subject
4. the given subject being taught in an understandable manner
5. the given subject being reinforced positively at home
6. the given subject being reinforced positively by student’s peers
7. the given subject being reinforced positively at school

Given enough stress and considering the ratio of stress-to-importance, the system can fail at any of these levels.

Notice that the school is only responsible for two of the seven levels of influence. That means that if you have a public school in a crappy place, it is already failing, because of the so-called “culture” of the area and the politics surrounding a public school.

A private or charter school has ways to influence peer pressure, home influences, and have built-in influences such as the ability to suspend students or throw them out permanently, which public schools do not have.

The public system we have is NOT saveable. We have to scrap it and try something else. I’m still waiting for somebody to ask me. I have a workable, simple answer. But a lot of progressive educators and politicians aren’t going to like it.

Reply
Slartibartfast July 2, 2013 at 5:54 pm

Public education in almost every state is a total failure. SC is no exception.

Education depends on all of the following in this order of importance:

1. the student wanting to learn the given subject
2. the student being able to learn the given subject
3. the given subject covering the given subject
4. the given subject being taught in an understandable manner
5. the given subject being reinforced positively at home
6. the given subject being reinforced positively by student’s peers
7. the given subject being reinforced positively at school

Given enough stress and considering the ratio of stress-to-importance, the system can fail at any of these levels.

Notice that the school is only responsible for two of the seven levels of influence. That means that if you have a public school in a crappy place, it is already failing, because of the so-called “culture” of the area and the politics surrounding a public school.

A private or charter school has ways to influence peer pressure, home influences, and have built-in influences such as the ability to suspend students or throw them out permanently, which public schools do not have.

The public system we have is NOT saveable. We have to scrap it and try something else. I’m still waiting for somebody to ask me. I have a workable, simple answer. But a lot of progressive educators and politicians aren’t going to like it.

Reply

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