Ready for 'Karl Marx Academy?' The new voucher law makes it possible

Arizona Republican lawmakers somehow believe the state's 451 private schools can accommodate 1.1 million students they say are ‘trapped’ in failing public schools.

That's impossible, of course. But reality didn't stop them from pushing the "school choice" narrative to get the legislation signed into law, which also has some math that doesn't add up.

They seem to believe that Arizona families in poverty, facing the highest inflation rate in the nation, can somehow afford the differential between the average voucher award of $7,000 and the median private school tuition cost of $9,771 for elementary school and $15,095 for high school students. Not to mention transportation, uniforms, lunch and extracurricular fees.

But for those who still believe vouchers will level the playing field with a plethora of A-rated, “principled” schools to choose from, take heart. An array of new private school options is on the immediate horizon.

Get ready for anti-'woke' schools

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, has announced the launch of Turning Point Academy, in partnership with Dream City Church.

Ringing a bell? That’s the same megachurch that hosted a 2020 Trump rally during the height of the pandemic, claiming to have air filters that magically made COVID-19 disappear into thin air. They now want to educate Arizona’s children.

Concerns about their science curriculum aside, Kirk describes Dream City Schools’ academic and cultural focus as“ ‘bedrock principles' — to never waver from the truth, to teach self-government and liberty and to honor 'God's promise that all are created equal.' "

READERS' VIEWS: A massive new voucher program will hurt public schools in Arizona

Stemming from his beliefs about public education’s “woke” curriculum, he goes on to say Critical Race Theory (CRT), “radical LGBT agendas” and “anti-American ideas such as the 1619 Project” will not be allowed.

Don’t forget, with vouchers now available for all Arizona K-12 students, this is our public tax dollars hard at work to indoctrinate children.

While this might be your cup of tea, the same equal opportunity will also apply to any other private school someone chooses to establish.

Let me present a different scenario for consideration.

A new law signed by Arizona’s governor requires high school students to learn about the evils of communism and totalitarianism when compared to our nation’s founding principles of democracy and freedom.

Would GOP defend 'choice' of a Marxist school?

What about those with a different point of view?

They are free to establish the “Karl Marx Academy” private school and teach little comrades the benefits of a communistic society. For that matter, there is nothing to stop this private school from importing its teaching staff from Russia or other former Soviet countries, offering students – ahem, comrades – a firsthand perspective.

Absurd? Putin is implementing a similar strategy in Russia, beginning this school year. He believes he can create a new generation of supporters by controlling what is learned at school.

The good news for anyone wanting to found their own version of Turning Point Academy, “Karl Marx Academy,” or any other private school you can think of is: You can.

And the state of Arizona will pay for it. Or, more precisely, the taxpayers of Arizona will fund it.

Better yet? There is no accountability for student outcomes that private schools receiving vouchers must meet.

Rep. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, successfully removed the requirement for annual state assessments for any students receiving vouchers. He argued that what happens in private schools is none of the government’s business.

I’m willing to bet the first time someone tries to open the “Karl Marx Academy,” the government will quickly find a way to make it their business.

When it comes to universal vouchers, the old adage “be careful what you wish for” most definitely applies.

Rhonda Cagle is founder of Leverage Consulting Agency, serving educational and non-profit agencies. She is a member of the Board of Contributors for The Arizona Republic. Follow her on Twitter: @RhondaCagle1.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona's voucher law makes anti-'woke' or 'Karl Marx' schools possible