Rough Draft When It Comes To Educational Funding, One Can As

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 has 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 states’ 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. A study shows that “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” (Ralkes).

Now that we have mentioned a few issues with our educational system, we have to look at ways we can improve it for the betterment of our kids. To do that, we need to invest more money towards our education. By doing so, we can equalize resource allocations from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA) across states to ensure that less fortunate kids receive a greater or at least a fair share of funds. We cannot let a portion of our kids succeed while others fail; we must help every child, regardless of the state they live in. Additionally, such investment would address funding gaps within districts, providing more equitable access to resources. Increased funding could facilitate the development of programs to support students struggling academically, bringing in more teachers, and reducing class sizes, which enhances the learning environment. Failing to provide tools and resources for our children puts their future at risk and undermines the value of education.

However, investing more money is not the only issue. Currently, the United States spends more per student than nearly every other country but still does not guarantee success for all students. An alternative approach involves utilizing existing funds more effectively. For example, replacing outdated textbooks with digital devices like computers can offer a more dynamic and current curriculum. Technology allows teachers to deliver content that is more engaging and tailored to students' needs. Furthermore, continuous investment in teachers remains crucial, regardless of budget constraints. Teachers are the backbone of quality education, and their training, motivation, and retention directly influence student outcomes. Without dedicated and well-supported teachers, efforts to improve education cannot succeed.

My personal experiences underscore the importance of adequate funding. During the 2008 recession, my English language learning program was cut due to budget constraints. This negatively impacted my educational progress, highlighting how budget cuts directly harm students' learning opportunities. Moving from California to Nevada, I faced another challenge where I received duplicate curricula, which underscored the flaws in our educational system. Such disparities should not exist; all students deserve consistent quality education regardless of status or location. Additionally, my high school experiences demonstrated the impact of funding on teaching quality. At Spring Valley High School, teachers often prioritized their pay over student support, leading to limited after-school help. Conversely, at Coronado High School, teachers genuinely cared, stayed after class, and encouraged students to excel academically and plan for their futures. These experiences highlight how investment in teachers and resources directly affects student achievement and motivation.

In conclusion, addressing the issues in our educational funding system requires a multi-faceted approach. Increased financial investment, equitable resource distribution, effective utilization of existing funds, and a focus on teacher quality are essential for creating an inclusive, high-quality education system. Our future depends on providing all students with the tools, resources, and support to succeed, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Education is the foundation of a thriving society, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child receives the education they deserve to reach their full potential.

References

• Darling-Hammond, Linda. “America's School Funding Struggle: How We're Robbing Our Future By Under-Investing In Our Children.” Forbes, 6 Aug. 2019.
• Raikas, Jeff. “Why Our Education Funding Systems Are Derailing the American Dream.” Learning Policy Institute, 18 Feb. 2019. learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/why-our-education-funding-systems-are-derailing-american-dream.
• Leachman, Michael. “A Punishing Decade for School Funding.” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 98 Nov. 2017.
• Jones, Lisa H. “Educational Funding Inequities and Student Achievement.” Journal of Education Policy, vol. 35, no. 3, 2022, pp. 445-462.
• OECD. “Education at a Glance 2022: OECD Indicators.” Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2022.
• Henderson, Michael. “Technology Integration in Education: Benefits and Challenges.” Educational Technology Research and Development, vol. 69, no. 4, 2021, pp. 1787-1801.
• Johnson, Robert, and Lisa Miller. “The Importance of Teacher Support for Student Success.” Teaching and Teacher Education, vol. 102, 2022, 103393.
• Smith, Amanda. “The Impact of School Funding on Student Performance.” Education Policy Analysis Archives, vol. 29, no. 64, 2021.
• Miller, Sarah. “Budget Cuts and Educational Outcomes: A Comparative Study.” International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 36, no. 7, 2022, pp. 1167-1182.
• U.S. Department of Education. “The Condition of Education 2023.” U.S. Government Printing Office, 2023.