Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- set aside (something) / sɛt əˈsaɪd / (phrasal v.) – to keep something for a special use or purpose
Example:Timmy sets aside his lunch money to buy a new bike.
- savvy / ˈsæv I / (adj.) – knowing a lot about something and able to do it well
Example:Mr. Sato is a savvy businessman who knows how to grow his company inside and outside of the country.
- under the guise of (something) / ˈʌn dər ðə gaɪz ʌv / (idiom) – pretending to do one thing, but actually doing something else
Example:He entered the building under the guise of a cleaner, but he was a thief.
- rampant / ˈræm pənt / (adj.) – growing or spreading very fast and in a way that is hard to control
Example:Disease became rampant in the village because there was no clean water.
- ultimately / ˈʌl tɪ mɪt lɪ / (adv.) – in the end; after everything has happened
Example:The team tried many ideas for the project and ultimately chose the cheapest one.
Article
Read the text below.
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 in May, 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 stockholders 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.”
Public school advocates worry the programs hurt enrollment and per-pupil funding, ultimately leaving fewer resources for families that choose public schools.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- House Republicans want to give families public money to help send children to private schools. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? What do you think are the possible advantages and disadvantages of this idea (ex. advantage: more school choices, disadvantage: less money for public schools)? Discuss.
- Critics worry that voucher programs take money away from public schools. Do you think this would change how people view public education in the long run? How might this affect the students who remain in public schools? Discuss.
Discussion B
- The proposal promotes “universal school choice” so families can pick schools, not just attend their local ones. What do you think happens when families have more options in choosing schools? Which could better solve deeper education problems: increasing school funding or giving parents more school choice? Discuss.
- If the private school vouchers were implemented in your country, would you choose a private or a public school for your child? Why? What should we consider when deciding if a school is “good?” Discuss.
