ISTA said, “Eliminate funding for virtual charter schools and tax credits for private schools. “

Yeah. There's a major step in the wrong direction. As someone who supports a competitive education marketplace, not just for students but as employment options for educators, ISTA can go take a hike.

When we think about all of the technology that is available to be deployed in education and how little advantage we take of it, it should cost a fraction of what it does today to educate kids and the results should be better, not worse.

ISTA is a self-serving corrupt organization; not to mention a Johnny come lately to the issue. “school districts to spend their cash balances down to eight percent in excess of their funds” ? Sounds like an old game of use it or lose it (uh..get the bonuses now before the rug is jerked out). Wow, doesn't that sound like they really came about education?

Not surprising that the ISTA has began to fight on the hook. Did you think they would just roll over?

What is surprising (to me) is to find both Sean and Paul in favor of continued subsidies to religion-based private schools.

How many candidates (from either side of the fence) will it take before Rep. Burton figures out that he has an image problem? I'm betting on some undefinably high number.

Isn't ISTA the group that ardently defends group health care costs of (now) $20,000.00 a year (down from $29,000.00)? And, their financial expertise led them to being taken over by the NEA (an even more thuggish group) and many suits of law over civil complaints and maybe even some criminal stuff? And, folks should listen to what they have to say? Were ISTA merely outlawed for being a conspiracy against the public(which, in fact, I think they are) is there any sentient being who believes that education in Indiana would not instantly improve and continue massive improvement for at least a decade? ISTA is a creature of the legislature but is not needed at all for the goals of education. The legislature thinks that ISTA is a means to an end but most folks know better by now even if the stupid party did not when they did their most stupid act of the past century.

http://www.indydemocrat.blogspot.com

Melina Kennedy has $220K on hand with $250K raised.

Superintendent Bennett should take failing schools & put them for up for competitive bid (vouchers), to EDUCATE.

Maybe better to just give away or rent for a nominal fee all of the facilities to any group willing to instruct to well defined State standards all who are capable of attaining them. Then, after proving the capacity to instruct, award them the the dollars formerly being wasted on government schooling. That is, the dollars formerly paid to so called teachers, so called administrators, so called frauds by those who monitor their results (us). Folks want the goods(economic mostly) of being able to read, write, and calculate. What we now pay for isn't the best or most economical manner to achieve those goods. What we have is the Elephant made by the 150 person screwal board.