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Who are we? Idahoans for ChoICE-PAC in Education is
an Idaho Political Action Committee dedicated to improving education in
Idaho. We were established in January 2004 with the immediate goal
of supporting legislative efforts to improve our Public Charter School
Laws and raise funds for those who support our mission. Our
overall mission is to give parents an independent VOICE in education by
supporting their right to choose the best education for their children..
We believe that parental choice is the key to improving Idaho's
education system. Parents should be able to choose among public,
public charter, private and home schools. Additionally, Idaho's
great teachers should have the opportunity to teach in a system where
there is freedom of choice. The evidence is clear that broadening
parents' choices will improve education for all
Why is Idahoans for ChoICE-PAC in Education needed? We are the only political organization in Idaho supporting broad parental choice. We are needed to offset the loud and well-funded VOICE of the teachers' union, the Idaho Education Association (IEA). With over 11,000 Directors, the IEA has significant political clout, and through PACE, its political action contributes over $100,000 in every election cycle to candidates who will support its narrow, money-driven agenda. In fact, the IEA contributed more in the last election that any other group in Idaho. In the interest of parents and children, we must offset this self-serving political clout. More education funding is not the answer. The education establishment's answer to all education issues is: "Send more money." More money has not been the answer, nor will it be. Some examples: In Idaho, from 1960 to 2000, inflation-adjusted spending per pupil rose by 332%. In 2003, public school spending amounted to $7,872 per pupil. This will grow to over $8,000 for the just completed school year. At the same time, student/teacher ratios have fallen dramatically. Yet educational achievement remains flat. From 1990 to 2000, the number of school employees grew by 35% while student enrollment grew by about 11%. Idaho's schools now have about one employee for every 7 students and more than one staff employee for every teacher. However, educational achievement remains flat. Comparable U.S. private and charter schools operate at a per pupil cost of about 60-70 percent of the public schools. Idaho's public charter schools operate at about 68% of the per pupil cost of the state's public schools - $5,400 per student, compared to about $8,000 in the public schools. We can do better, and do it with less! If Idaho's traditional public schools operated at the efficiency level of its public charter schools, the burden on Idaho taxpayers would be substantially reduced. The bottom line is the massive infusion of money into Idaho public education has produced little improvement in student performance. Idaho's public schools consume about half of our state's budget with little payoff for our children. We will push legislation for more school choice by lifting the constraints on our public charter schools, supporting tax credits for private education, and protecting home educators. There is a better and more cost effective way, parental choice: How are we going to do it? First, we must establish a statewide network of people who are willing to become involved in this effort. Through mailings (both electronic and conventional) a newsletter, and this web page, we will provide information that will influence policy makers as well as the electorate. |
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ICE-PAC P.O Box 933 Boise, ID 83701 |
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