All about the Benjamins
Our readings for this week opened with the question, “How can we improve our schools?” It concluded by Hacsi explaining that money, spent wisely, is a partial answer. Hacsi takes us through an introduction to research and evaluation stating that even when research supports one side’s claim, the other side will either dismiss that claim or find research that contradicts it. In chapter five, Hacsi shows us his love affair with history, by taking us through the decades of public school funding policies and more legal battles!
Hacsi opens with a wide variety of problems with our public school systems: “bad teachers, indifferent students, disinterested parents, faulty curriculums, a lack of morality or religion, etc…” (1). Many or all of these problems are also seen in society and schools cannot effectively resolve societies issues. Hacsi was interested in problems that schools are currently struggling with. Solutions to school specific problems were listed: “better teacher training, vouchers, accountability through high-stakes testing, etc…” (1). To figure out what is best for schools, we need to look at policies and programs through the use of educational evaluations. Even if evaluations were free of errors and the results were reliable, decisions based on those study’s results didn’t exactly match the outcomes.
In chapter five of Hacsi’s book explains how two studies about money can reveal two totally opposite outcomes depending on the type of research method you use. The author looked at two studies that answered the question: “Does the amount of money a school has in its budget affect student achievement?” (176). Throughout the decades, funding for schools has risen sharply. On average one-third of a state’s budget goes towards public schools. Hacsi was quick to mention how costly it is to support children with special needs. Along with special needs, schools have hired counselors and teacher aides. More students are also staying in high school longer than in the beginning of the 20th century. Through numerous court decisions and a study with valid methods for measurement, Hacsi concludes that there is a positive correlation between money and student’s achievement. In fact, that study showed this statistic: “every additional $100 spent per pupil would increase student achievement by one-fifth of a standard deviation, a significant gain” (191). Yes, money did matter, but it is how it’s used that is the real issue.
I cannot disagree with Hacsi’s conclusion about public school funding and the general public. In order for students to receive a proper education and include the newly expanded role of public schools, money is needed. “How can the public – most of which does not have children of school age – be convinced that more money should go to schools rather than their own more direct needs” (203)? I don’t see this problem going away anytime soon. As this society continues to become more self-centered and self-gratifying, less focus will be put on a community’s needs.
On a side note, I have to praise Hacsi for address and putting aside the other multitudes of issues that schools have. We could waist hours of time discussing what’s wrong with public schools, but these same problems are bigger than the public school system. Societal decay is all around. Schools need to bite off only what they can chew.
Chris Persick
November 11th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Great recap. I want to agree with you as you did Hasci, public funding is a mess. It is difficult to teach in the deteriorated state that a good majority of U.S. schools are in. Our economy is a mess and referendums are not passing. The district I teach in had many new homes go up in the last 5+ years, but they aren’t being built by young families. We tried to pass a referendum for a new school a number of years ago, but failed. We are now taking a new angle. Being in a rural area, we are beginning to plug the community importance of the school building. We hold 4H meetings, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Yoga classes, our library is public in the summer, adult basketball, the list is endless. We are trying to build “investment” in the school’s future for the next referendum.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
You made a good point about our society being self-centered and self-gratifying. Maybe as teachers we need to instill in our students the importance of an education; not only for themselves but to live in a civilized community. Then maybe the next generation will have a different view about education – the importance of it. Our school district is working on settling a contract and we (teachers) wear yellow on Wednesdays. Many students comment on all the teachers in yellow and ask why. It is another learning opportunity for our students to understand the workings of society. I hope we are making a positive, lasting impression on the students and they can make an informed decision when they have the opportunity to vote school policies.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I also commented on the idea of “I don’t have a child in school, so why should I pay taxes toward education?” in my blog. I agree that society is becoming more self-centered. I see it in myself sometimes, and wish it wasn’t there. It seems to me that education is so important that everyone would realize, even if they do not have kids, the education of today’s youth will affect them tomorrow. Yet, such is not yet the case. I hope at some point, it will be.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I wholeheartedly agree with the comment above mine by schultzjm that the education of today’s youth affects all of us in the future and should be a priority. Too bad so many others fail to see that simple truth due to selfishness and societal decay. You are correct when you say that “Schools need to bite off only what they can chew.” but it is still a sad commentary that we cannot even get parents to show the appropriate level of concern for their own children and attend parent-teacher conferences, much less get non-parents to support the school systems financially and in other ways. What ever happened to mentors and concerned neighbors? We need to have those font-stoop neighborhoods where we look out for one another and take pride in the achievement of all students, even those not our own. Maybe then we won’t have to fight for resources or respect in and out of our classrooms.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:26 am
This reminded me of former NFL coach Bill Parcells’ classic line: “If you cook the meal, you want to be able to shop for the groceries.” While he was talking about needing to have the final say over the personnel decisions for his team, it could easily be applied to education. If teachers are expected to not only teach but also be parents, end racism, prevent kids from taking drugs and eliminate violence, there needs to be more financial support to make sure the resources are there. I think we need to be realistic in that the educational system is a reflection of society in general. While it certainly can be part of the solution, it can’t be the only solution. Just watching the news tonight, there were at least two stories about store robberies. I’m sure law enforcement could probably use more money to catch criminals. There was another story about food bank donations. They could use money to make sure people don’t go hungry. More money is needed everywhere.