Latest news with #privateschools
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Teachers' gold-plated pensions are about to be exposed as a Ponzi scheme
The Teachers' Pension Scheme is the second-largest of the 'unfunded' public sector pension schemes, behind the NHS. Like all the gold-plated public sector pensions, it offers a guaranteed, fully index-linked 'defined benefit' pension. Like all the other unfunded schemes, there is no pot of money funding it – the money contributed towards these pensions over the years has been spent, not saved. Spent, by the way, on anything the Government of the day fancied at the time. In essence, there is a raid every year on these funds – just like Robert Maxwell did when he illegally plundered the Mirror Group's staff pension fund. But when the Government does it, it's entirely legal because it makes the rules. You might imagine that, seeing as there is no fund, the Government would not bother to calculate what they should have put in it. But there is a whole industry devoted to just this – charging public sector employees and employers for the fund-that-never-was. All paid for ultimately by the Government itself, which means you and me. Except in the case of the Teachers' Pension Scheme, taxpayers aren't the only ones funding it. Private schools are also eligible to enrol their teachers on the state-backed scheme.
Washington Post
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
House Republicans propose $5 billion for private school vouchers
WASHINGTON — House Republicans want to set aside up to $5 billion a year for scholarships to help families send their children to private and religious schools , an unprecedented effort to use public money to pay for private education. The proposal, part of a budget reconciliation bill released Monday, would advance President Donald Trump's agenda of establishing 'universal school choice' by providing families nationwide the option to give their children an education different from the one offered in their local public school. Nearly all households would qualify except those making more than three times the local median income.
Associated Press
12-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
House Republicans propose $5 billion for private school vouchers
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans want to set aside up to $5 billion a year for scholarships to help families send their children to private and religious schools, an unprecedented effort to use public money to pay for private education. The proposal, part of a budget reconciliation bill released Monday, would advance President Donald Trump's agenda of establishing 'universal school choice' by providing families nationwide the option to give their children an education different from the one offered in their local public school. Nearly all households would qualify except those making more than three times the local median income. Supporters of private school vouchers say they want to give families assigned to low-performing schools more choices. 'Giving parents the ability to choose the best education for their child makes the (American Dream) possible,' said Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, who sponsored a similar proposal in the Senate. The program would be funded by donors who could contribute money or stock. In turn, they would receive 100% of the contribution back in the form of a discount on their tax bills. It would allow stock holders to avoid paying taxes that would be levied if they donated or transferred the stock. Critics decried the proposal, saying it would aid the wealthy at the expense of the public school systems that serve the overwhelming majority of students. They said it would set up a tax shelter allowing savvy investors to make money under the guise of a donation. All of this comes as the Trump administration downsizes the Education Department and cuts resources to public schools, including $1 billion in mental health grants and funding for teacher training. 'This is a significant threat,' said Sasha Pudelski of AASA, the School Superintendents Association. She added that states that have voucher programs often end up assisting families that were already paying for private school. 'It's opening the door even wider to what has already plagued voucher programs around the country, which is rampant waste, fraud, and abuse.' Similar tax-credit scholarship and private school voucher programs have proliferated in red-leaning states like Texas, which just passed a $1 billion program. Public school advocates worry the programs hurt enrollment and per-pupil funding, ultimately leaving fewer resources for families that choose public schools. ___ The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Dozens rally at state capitol to push back on proposed state funding cuts to private schools
Parents, teachers and educators packed the Minnesota state capitol rotunda on Wednesday to push back on proposed funding cuts at the Legislature that would eliminate state funding supporting private schools. DFL Gov. Tim Walz in his budget blueprint pitched eliminating $109 million in nonpublic pupil aid which helps cover the cost of textbooks, transportation, health services and guidance counseling for the roughly 70,000 students who attend private schools. The DFL-led Senate included the cuts in their version of the K-12 spending plan. Dozens gathered for a rally against the proposal slashing the state support private schools have counted on for five decades. School leaders said eliminating that funding would put schools in a difficult position of reducing services or raising tuition, which will hit low- and middle income families the hardest. "Just simply asking private schools to raise tuition is going to keep families from being able to access a faith-based education," said Dan Beckering, head of school at Southwest Christian High School. "Our schools serve families from all socio-economic backgrounds." The proposal comes as the Legislature stares down a $6 billion deficit in future years so lawmakers are considering reductions this budget to keep that from happening. Walz also pitched eliminating funding for charter schools to assist with facilities maintenance. The governor on Wednesday said the state has an obligation to public schools under the Minnesota Constitution and believes taxpayers should not be on the hook for private schools if parents choose to send their children there. It's one of his ideas to get spending under control and balance the budget. "If you want to have a school that teaches your curriculum and things you do, you have every right to do that. And I support you as governor. I don't believe that the taxpayers should have to be the ones that support you in that," he told reporters. But the proposal's future is uncertain at the capitol as end-of-session negotiations continue. GOP lawmakers are staunchly against the proposed cuts and they have the power to block it from advancing in the tied House. Lawmakers must adjourn the regular session May 19. If they don't complete the next two-year budget, they'll go into overtime. "Gov. Walz, your proposed elimination of nonpublic student aid does not represent 'One Minnesota,' said Benito Matias, principal of Ascension School in North Minneapolis. "We ask you to please reconsider the proposed cuts and do what's best for all Minnesota."
