A few weeks ago, the Democrats in NY passed a measure that provided college tuition for illegal aliens while at the same time turning down college help for the children of disabled veterans and those who gave their lives for this country. It was disgusting, but not surprising. Veterans tend to vote Republican, so the Dems may not have wanted to help them for that reason. Now, however, the Democrats in NY have made a move that is aimed directly at minority children. They have refused to raised the cap on charter schools in New York.
A short explanation is needed. Schools in New York City are not very good. Despite spending much more than the national average on each child, the New York City school system produces huge numbers of "graduates" who are functionally illiterate. These kids are not prepared to succeed in the job market or in life. The school system is heavily minority. Out of about 1.1 million children, only 15% are non-Hispanic white. Just about half are African American. The parents of these children understand that the public system is not a place where their children can get a good start in life. As a result, charter schools have popped up all over the city. At last count, roughly 15% of children attend these charter schools. Charter schools are semi-independent entities run by groups or institutions (like universities) under their own rules. They have to meet state standards, but they have much more flexibility than the public schools. In order to placate the teachers' unions (which are major Democrat donors), the state imposed a limit on the number of charter schools to be allowed. That limit has been reached, so no new charter schools can be opened.
There are about 80,000 poor minority students in New York City whose parents have indicated that they want their kids to go to a charter school, but for whom there is no school to go. Even governor Cuomo decided that this was wrong and asked the legislature to raise the cap. The Democrats who control the NY Legislature won't even consider raising the cap. They won't discuss it, and they just won't do it. That move leaves 80,000 poor minority students stuck in schools that will not prepare them properly for life.
If Republicans had cut off 80,000 poor minority children from the chance for a better life, we would never hear the end of it. Democrats do it to keep their major donors happy and it's kept as quiet as possible.
Look, we are talking about 80,000 American children. There is no way to balance the wishes of a few union leaders who give big bucks to the Democrats against the needs of so many kids without deciding in favor of the kids. Public pressure will force the Dems to ignore their big donors and favor the kids. If you live in NY write or call your legislator or state senator. This terrible decision has to be reversed.
A short explanation is needed. Schools in New York City are not very good. Despite spending much more than the national average on each child, the New York City school system produces huge numbers of "graduates" who are functionally illiterate. These kids are not prepared to succeed in the job market or in life. The school system is heavily minority. Out of about 1.1 million children, only 15% are non-Hispanic white. Just about half are African American. The parents of these children understand that the public system is not a place where their children can get a good start in life. As a result, charter schools have popped up all over the city. At last count, roughly 15% of children attend these charter schools. Charter schools are semi-independent entities run by groups or institutions (like universities) under their own rules. They have to meet state standards, but they have much more flexibility than the public schools. In order to placate the teachers' unions (which are major Democrat donors), the state imposed a limit on the number of charter schools to be allowed. That limit has been reached, so no new charter schools can be opened.
There are about 80,000 poor minority students in New York City whose parents have indicated that they want their kids to go to a charter school, but for whom there is no school to go. Even governor Cuomo decided that this was wrong and asked the legislature to raise the cap. The Democrats who control the NY Legislature won't even consider raising the cap. They won't discuss it, and they just won't do it. That move leaves 80,000 poor minority students stuck in schools that will not prepare them properly for life.
If Republicans had cut off 80,000 poor minority children from the chance for a better life, we would never hear the end of it. Democrats do it to keep their major donors happy and it's kept as quiet as possible.
Look, we are talking about 80,000 American children. There is no way to balance the wishes of a few union leaders who give big bucks to the Democrats against the needs of so many kids without deciding in favor of the kids. Public pressure will force the Dems to ignore their big donors and favor the kids. If you live in NY write or call your legislator or state senator. This terrible decision has to be reversed.
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