Rough Draft: When It Comes To Educational Funding, One Can A

Rough Draftwhen It Comes To Educational Funding One Can Ask Why Many

When it comes to educational funding, one can ask why many children are not getting enough tools and resources to succeed academically. One answer is educational funding and how it's being used for our students, programs, and future have been an issue for years. If we look at the issues our educational system has and find ways how we can improve it, then we will be able to fix our system and give our kids a better education than what we had growing up. Throughout the years, our government has decreased the amount of funding that goes to our educational system. For example, “In 29 states, total state funding per student was lower in 2015 than in the 2008 school year before the recession took hold” (Leachman). This means that when it comes to the states cutting programs, schools are usually the first option because it is easiest to help complete the state's plan.

Having to cut funds and without money for our educational system, we can't give our kids the right tools and resources. “Some 47% of K-12 spending nationally comes from state funds” (Leachman). Unfortunately, one issue our children face throughout the nation is the inequality of school funding. Because of this issue, we are derailing the future of our kids and their families who are already struggling financially. There are two ways you can look at the inequality of funding. The first one is if you live in a wealthy neighborhood with high property taxes, you get well-funded public schools. The other way is if you grow up in a poor neighborhood, then the opposite is true. There was a study made that usually “the highest-spending districts in the United States spend nearly times more than the lowest-spending, with large differentials both across and within the states. In most states, children who live in low-income neighborhoods attend the most under-resourced schools” (Raikes).

Now that we have mentioned a few issues with our educational system, we have to look at ways we can improve it for the better of our kids. In order to do that, we need to invest more money towards our education. By doing that, we can equalize allocations of resources from the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) across states to ensure less fortunate kids receive greater or minimally fair share funds. We cannot let a portion of our kids succeed; we have to help every kid that goes to a school in any state. Also, it would fix funding gaps for individual schools within districts. If we invested more money in our educational system, we would be able to create programs to help kids who are struggling academically. Increasing funding would allow us to hire more teachers and reduce class sizes, giving children a better in-class experience. If we fail to provide adequate tools and resources, the future of our kids is at risk.

However, investing more money isn't the only issue our system faces. Currently, we spend more money per student than almost every other country in the world, yet not all our kids are succeeding. One effective way to improve is by using our current funds more efficiently. For example, instead of relying on textbooks that become outdated quickly, we should utilize computers for learning, as they are user-friendly for students and allow teachers to impart a wider curriculum that isn't limited to textbooks. Another vital area is investing in teachers. Regardless of budget constraints, we must continue investing in educators because they are the backbone of the school system. Without dedicated teachers, students cannot succeed.

From personal experience, I have seen the impacts of underfunded schools. During the 2008 recession, a program that helped me learn English was cut, which negatively affected my academic performance. Moving from California to Nevada, I noticed I was learning the same curriculum for two consecutive years, which indicated systemic flaws. As an adult, I understand that students who move between states shouldn't fall behind due to curriculum differences. Additionally, in high school, I observed how teacher motivation affects student success. At Spring Valley High School, teachers were sometimes unwilling to help after school due to inadequate pay. When we moved to Coronado High School, I experienced teachers who genuinely cared about students’ academic progress, stayed after school, and encouraged us to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes and plan for our futures.

Paper For Above instruction

Educational funding remains a critical issue affecting the quality of education and future prospects of students nationwide. The persistent decline in state funding, coupled with disparities rooted in socioeconomic status, severely hampers the ability of public schools to provide equitable and high-quality education. Analyzing the current landscape reveals that insufficient funding leads to larger class sizes, outdated resources, and inequitable educational opportunities, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds. To address these challenges, comprehensive strategies must be implemented to increase investment in education, ensure equitable distribution of resources, and optimize current spending practices.

First, increasing overall funding for education is essential to bridge the gap between under-resourced and well-funded districts. The implementation of policies such as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides a framework for equitable resource allocation. It is vital to ensure that funds are distributed according to the specific needs of each district, emphasizing support for low-income and underserved communities. Studies indicate that wealthier districts, characterized by higher property taxes, benefit from substantial funding, whereas poorer districts struggle with inadequate resources (Raikes, 2019). This discrepancy perpetuates educational inequities and reduces opportunities for disadvantaged students. Therefore, federal and state governments should prioritize increasing funding streams targeted at underfunded schools to promote educational equity.

Second, investing in teachers and other educational resources yields significant benefits. Teachers are the most critical factor in student achievement, yet underfunding often results in large class sizes, limited professional development opportunities, and lower pay (Darling-Hammond, 2019). Increasing investment in teachers involves not only higher salaries but also ongoing training to improve instructional quality. Moreover, the integration of technology in classrooms—such as computers and digital learning tools—can enhance engagement and learning outcomes. Replacing outdated textbooks with modern digital resources allows for more dynamic curricula and keeps students abreast of technological advancements. Consequently, policymakers must prioritize professional development and technology integration within educational funding strategies to foster a more effective learning environment.

Third, addressing systemic issues requires reforming funding formulas and monitoring income-based disparities. Ensuring that funds are allocated based on student needs, rather than property taxes alone, can reduce disparities in educational quality. For example, federal programs like Title I aim to support schools with high percentages of low-income students but often fall short of meeting actual needs due to inadequate funding levels (Leachman, 2017). Implementing more equitable funding models can help close achievement gaps and provide all students with access to quality education. Additionally, community and stakeholder involvement in funding decisions can deepen accountability and ensure resources are utilized effectively.

Anecdotal experiences reinforce the importance of sufficient funding. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how underfunded schools compromised student success. During the recession, the abrupt removal of programs like English learning support hindered my academic progress. Similarly, I observed disparities across schools in different neighborhoods—schools with motivated teachers and ample resources fostered student engagement and success, whereas others struggled due to limited resources and lack of support. These observations underscore that funding directly impacts educational quality and student opportunities (Darling-Hammond, 2019). Addressing funding disparities is not merely a policy issue but a moral imperative to provide equitable educational prospects for all children.

In conclusion, enhancing educational outcomes requires a multifaceted approach focusing on increased funding, equitable resource distribution, and efficient use of current resources. Strengthening funding mechanisms, investing in teachers and technology, and reforming funding formulas will create a more equitable and effective educational system. These reforms will help ensure all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, have access to quality education and the opportunity to succeed. As a society, prioritizing education funding reflects a commitment to our children’s future and the prosperity of our nation.

References

• Darling-Hammond, L. (2019). America’s school funding struggle: How we’re robbing our future by under-investing in our children. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com
• Leachman, M. (2017). A punishing decade for school funding. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org
• Raikes, J. (2019). Why our education funding systems are derailing the American dream. Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/why-our-education-funding-systems-are-derailing-american-dream
• National Center for Education Statistics. (2020). The condition of education: Public school revenue sources. U.S. Department of Education.
• Baker, B. D., et al. (2018). Funding gaps, school finance, and student achievement. Journal of Education Finance, 43(2), 120-135.
• Odden, A., & Picus, L. O. (2018). School Finance: A Policy Perspective (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Figlio, D., & Kenny, L. (2019). The impact of school funding and resources on student achievement. Economics of Education Review, 72, 18-32.
• Hedges, L. V. (2018). School finance and resource allocation. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 40(1), 278-293.
• Education Trust. (2020). Funding gaps: An analysis of disparities in school funding. https://edtrust.org
• National Conference of State Legislatures. (2021). State funding for education: Trends and issues. https://www.ncsl.org