Lifelong Philadelphia resident, Award winning gardener (2010 and 2011), Blogger, Photographer, BSG fan, Foodie, Citizen Journalist, Conservative, Philadelphia GOP Committeewoman, Named 2010 and 2011 Hottest Conservative Women in New Media. You can contact me at midnightbluesays (at) gmail (dot) com 
SB1 Stalls in PA Senate
SB1 commonly referred to as the School Choice Act is making its way through the Pennsylvania State Senate. Amendments have been added and the latest word is that the bill has been pulled from debate for further consideration. This could be a good thing with more time to debate the issue.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to videotape a debate on the pros and cons of the School Choice Act. The debate was hosted by Independence Hall Tea Party Association. Many kudos to the organizers of this event as I found the debate forum to be civil; the debaters and audience questioners respectful to opposing points of view. This debate provided the perfect opportunity to listen to rational debate from both sides of this issue, allowing for a more informed opinion.
Before I begin to offer my opinion and videos of this debate, I want to make clear that I strongly believe everyone participating in this debate wants what is best for the children of Pennsylvania. It simply comes down to the best way for this bill to do just that.
My thanks go out to the debate participants. The ‘Pro’ side of this debate included Reverend Joe Watkins, Executive Director of Students First and Dom Giordano, Talk Show Host on WPHT Radio 1210 AM. Dom was kind enough to fill in for the absent prime sponsor of SB1, State Senator Anthony Williams. The ‘Con’ side of this debate was Chris Friend, Freindly Fire Zone Columnist and former Executive Director of Reach Alliance (a school choice advocacy group) and State Representative Curt Schroder.
The panelists for this debate were Sharon Cherubin, Executive Director of Unite PA and Teri Adams, President, Independence Hall Tea Party Association.
I believe it is important to understand the historical context of school choice legislation in Pennsylvania before getting to the specifics of the 2011 bill. Representative Curt Schroder briefly recalls the history of this bill in the Pennsylvania Senate.
Opening remarks from debate participants. While watching the video, ask yourself this question - what is your expectation of the education provided your child in the public school system? Does SB1 match your expectations of the public education system?
Sorry, Dom I completely disagree that conservatives object to vouchers and ‘feel’ small, incremental steps are the best way forward. Not sure whom you are speaking to, but I suspect they are not conservative. Improving Pennsylvania’s education system is not a popularity contest, Dom. This bill is about doing the absolute best for EVERY child in Pennsylvania, not for just some, and not in piecemeal fashion. To do less is frankly criminal.
Reverend Watkins, it is not about how many children you have deemed are worth saving through SB1, it is about the expectations of every parent in Pennsylvania. The expectation is that their child will be the one who benefits from SB1, not one of the ones deemed ‘not at risk’. Look at it this way, using your example of a house on fire, every one trapped in the house has the expectation that they will be rescued, not one of them is saying I’m less at risk therefore I’m not expecting to be rescued. It is not about stratification of risk, it is about expectations. Are we really rising to meet that expectation or are we dropping the ball, again, on our students in Pennsylvania? I could not support a bill that falls so short of that parental expectation – how can you?
On that note, the next question relates to the lowest bar acceptable for SB1. A 10 minute video well worth the time to watch.
Dom raises the race card early in this debate. Reverend Watkins and I agree on the point – ‘less regulation is good’.
EITC benefits to middle class students – roll that beautiful footage!
Finally, Q&A from the audience.
Based on the arguments presented on both sides during this, I am supporting a efforts to expand SB1 School Choice act. There is no acceptable way to piecemeal school choice or stratify which group of children will be served before others. The expectation of every parent is that their child will be the one to benefit from a School Choice Act, and rightly so. This type of educational improvement is completely within our reach right now, as it was 15 years ago. Let’s not waste the opportunity to help ALL Pennsylvania students, instead of appeasing special interest groups (John Dougherty) or winning popularity contests.
I’m open to your thoughts on this issue, the comment section is open as always.
This is a subject I am passionate about and here is why right now the consideration in the schools are not about what is best for the children or the families of the children. The most important considerations are to satisfy the Unions and the administrators the kids are just a bump in the road.
This is not stating that none of them care but I firmly believe that they care more for their own interests than they do that of the children.
Vouchers would change all of that and here is how instead of the money being attached to the school or the district the money will now be attached to the child. What that means is that for a school to survive they must offer the best product if they do not then the parents will take their children and their money elsewhere. I believe we would have private schools opening all over the state all trying to offer the best educational experience. Now another thing that will happens is that the poor and lower middle class will have some choice in their childs education which right now is reserved for those with more money.
Vouchers would save the schools it would benefit our children and in the end it will benefit the good teachers
Tania if they have another one of these please please let me be your body gaurd and take me with you I promise you will enjoy my input
Thanks, Midnight Blue, for your outstanding coverage of this debate.
The Independence Hall Tea Party Association greatly appreciates your
hard work!
Joe Watkins is a first rate guy. Agree or disagree with him, he’s a leader worth respecting and if you agree with him, worth voting for should he run again.