We the undersigned are concerned about the poor performance of our public schools and support private school vouchers. Dropout rates top 50% in some Florida counties. A recent survey disclosed that nearly 40% of Florida lawmakers send their children to private schools. Of those who serve on education committees, the percentage is 60%.
We demand a level playing field for all children. Wealthy individuals should not have a choice of private vs. public schools when persons of lesser means do not. More than 25% of legislators are lawyers and nearly a third are millionaires. A survey of congressional officials revealed that 47% of Congressman and 51% of U.S. Senators send their children to private schools. A high percentage of public schoolteachers also send their children to private schools.
Vouchers do not take money away from public schools as opponents of vouchers claim. Moving a child from a public school to a private school is revenue neutral. Additionally, vouchers would alleviate the overcrowding situation in most school districts. Building new schools today is cost prohibitive. Public schools already spend more than 50% of revenues on non-teaching functions. Charter schools have proven that they can provide a quality education at half the cost of traditional public schools. Medicare recipients now have a voucher system that allows them to opt out of the outdated and inefficient government run Medicare plan and join a private "Advantage " plan.
It is simply unfair and unjust to only offer choice in education to children of more affluent parents and to deny choice to students whose families cannot afford private schools. Additionally, the quality of public schools varies greatly by geography and children in poor neighborhoods are usually stuck attending dangerous and underperforming schools. Polk County spends an average of $11,000 annually per student. Home-schooled children score higher on standardized test then do private and public school students.
A high quality education and not the protection of special interests should be the goal for all our children. Vouchers are the simplest and quickest way to guarantee that goal. Throwing additional money at public schools has not worked and will not work in the future. Public schools cannot fix their own problem because they are the problem.
We support adding the following amendment to the Florida Constitution:
1. All students in Florida are entitled to vouchers valued at 75% of the cost of a public school education. Students may attend any accredited school of their choice. Home school parents are to be reimbursed 50% for each home-schooled child. If the Amendment is not passed all elected officials and schoolteachers must send their children to public schools.
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Send completed petitions to: PO Box 101 Winter Haven Fl. 33882
Phone: (863) 258-6584