|
|
|
UPDATE: 65 Percent Deception Flops in Founder's Home StateUtah millionaire Patrick Byrne, the founder and main national funder of the 65 Percent Deception, has seen his plan rejected by voters and legislators across the country. On Monday, February 19, Byrne's plan was defeated by the legislature in his home state of Utah — even after Byrne's pressure group spent $500,000 in 2006 on Utah legislative elections. * * *
The widely respected Educational Research Service says spending by school districts averages 67.8 percent on classroom and classroom-related expenses, including books and materials, staff training, and special education. Why then is a Utah tycoon pushing a ballot measure in a number of states that requires school districts to spend at least 65% of their funds "in the classroom?" The numbers say schools already do this. The backers of the plan call it the "65% Solution," but it seems more appropriate to say it's the 65% Deception. Read the secret plan that reveals the true motivations of the plan's backers. Read their plan... Like many gimmicks, the 65% Deception is attractive at first, but deceptive when viewed more closely. It would actually force school districts to get rid of people who perform the important work of keeping our kids healthy, productive and safe, because their work falls outside the plan's definition of "classroom spending." Our kids would be helped by fewer school nurses, crossing guards, guidance counselors, school librarians, and school bus technicians. See the services our kids need that would be cut under the 65% Deception. The plan has been widely criticized across the country and across the political spectrum. In a New York Times column, Rod Paige, recently head of the Bush Department of Education, called the plan "one of the worst ideas in education." Paige, like many others, worries that the 65 Percent Deception would "tie school leaders' hands" and make America's schools worse. USA Today — the most-read paper in the country — called the 65% Deception a "fad" that would reduce the quality of teachers, hurt rural schools and become a "useless distraction" to the true task of educating children. Other newspapers — from the Seattle Times to the Austin American-Statesman to the St. Petersburg Times — have denounced the 65% Deception as a bad plan for schools in their communities and across the country. Even William F. Buckley's conservative National Review called the 65% Deception a "seductively simple and horribly wrongheaded proposal" with "no evidence to support" its claims. Read more news coverage of the 65% Deception from across the country. The tycoon backing this plan, Patrick Byrne, is trying to label his plan the "65% Solution," though it deserves to be called the "65% Deception." Why would someone from one state back a plan to overrule local school boards in many others — and spend at least a million dollars of his own money to do it? Read more about Patrick Byrne. A project of Real Education Solutions |
MEDIA COVERAGE NAACP Wants Apology From Overstock Chief, Associated Press, 29 Oct 07 Are 'town meetings' truly a forum, or just bully pulpit for school vouchers?, The Salt Lake Tribune, 04 Oct 07 Both sides making quiet voucher moves, Deseret Morning News, 23 Sep 07 Districts struggle with how to allocate funding: Group proposes '65 Percent Solution' to improve instruction The Messenger-Inquirer, 17 Jul 07 GET INVOLVED! The 65% Deception could be coming to your state. Find out more by signing up for our email alerts. Your email address will not be sold to companies who want to sell you things. |
Who's Behind the 65% Deception 65% Deception's Impact on Kids |