(CNN) — “Near the edge of the Phoenix metro’s urban sprawl, surrounded by a wide expanse of saguaro-studded scrubland, Dream City Christian School is in the midst of a major expansion. The private school, which is affiliated with a local megachurch where former President Donald Trump held a campaign rally this month, recently broke ground on a new wing that will feature modern, airy classrooms and a pickleball court. It’s a sign of growth at a school that has partnered with a Trump-aligned advocacy group, and advertises to parents by vowing to fight “liberal ideology” such as “evolutionism” and “gender identification.”
Just a few miles away, the public Paradise Valley Unified School District is shrinking, not expanding. The district shuttered three of its schools last month amid falling enrollment, a cost-saving measure that has disrupted life for hundreds of families. One of the factors behind Dream City’s success and Paradise Valley’s struggles: In Arizona, taxpayer dollars that previously went to public schools like the ones that closed are increasingly flowing to private schools – including those that adopt a right-wing philosophy.”
(CEO)—The Republican-led war on public schools has multiple frontlines across the United States. But from all accounts in Arizona, it appears the GOP’s attacks are gaining momentum as public schools are rapidly closing. While religious-based conservative ideological private schools are benefiting from the taxpayer’s funding siphoned from the public educational system.
Republican lawmakers have been creating new legislation to spend taxpayer dollars on privately run schools. Passing voucher programs once only offered to low-income and disabled students. But since 2021 nearly a dozen states have expanded eligibility for vouchers to include all families regardless of income levels. In Arizona in the first year when the bill passed the budget committee estimated it would cost the state $64.5 million to expand vouchers to all students. Yet a report released by the nonpartisan Grand Canyon Institute said the state’s actual costs were about $332 million in that timeframe.
The reason costs skyrocketed was because wealthy families were taking advantage of the program. Children who were previously enrolled in private schools were now having the state pay their tuition. The program was originally designed to provide public school kids the opportunity to attend private schools. But like most other GOP programs the wealthy manipulated the law at the expense of the lower classes. Unlike other states, Arizona holds its private schools to no educational standards or requirements. Allowing these institutions to create whatever curriculum they see fit. While public schools face accreditation, accountability, and transparency scrutiny. The private sector is held to none of the criteria listed above.
That’s why many of these private schools have been accused of teaching extremist ideology and applying discriminatory practices. Public records reveal half of the state funds have gone to Christian organizations. They mandate students and staff adhere to “statements of faith”. Which asserts that “rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person” and that “homosexual behavior is offensive to God”. Many of these schools have partnered with the far-right group Turning Point USA. Run by white nationalists claiming to “protect campuses from the infiltration of unethical agendas by rejecting all woke ideologies being pushed on students”
Recently an English teacher at one of the Valley Christian Schools was fired. After voicing support for a student who identified as pansexual. The school’s Principal argued in defense of the termination. How it’s impossible to be both “homosexual or otherwise sexual deviant and also a Christian” calling it “a hideous lie”. Of course, no public school could ever condone this kind of overt discrimination and bigotry. Due to the common decency and decorum principles public education is held to.
It appears Arizonians have a front-row seat to the potential downfall of the public educational system. It’s a coordinated effort to undermine democracy and Republicans are exploiting children as their political pawns. Just beware if this type of educational program comes to your state. Making sure to vehemently oppose it from passing at all costs. With no oversight, these religious-based organizations will brainwash American children into believing their propaganda curriculum. The identical ideology rampantly spread throughout the MAGA media apparatus. The GOP is arranging the building blocks fundamental to the foundations of Authoritarian rule. Since their message has been widely rejected by the majority of adults in America. They’ve chosen to cut out the middle man to fill young impressionable minds. With all the radical religious rhetoric grown-ups have resoundingly rejected. After hitting their manipulation ceiling of voting-aged Americans. The GOP needs a head start on the next generation of future MAGATS before they’re old enough to realize Republicans are full of 💩.
Click the link below for the CNN article quoted in this column
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/19/politics/arizona-private-school-vouchers-invs/index.html
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