As you know very well, our economy is going down hill fast and it is deeply affecting our educational system and, "the stakes are too high this time to let the matter rest" (Gardner, 2008). As a 17 year old student getting ready to go to college in the Fall, in California, I am very concerned. With budget cuts being made left and right, Universities are suffering as well as the students longing to attend them. These cuts have, "a dramatic impact on the state's public university system, leading to further decreases in spending, increased tuition and student fees, along with possible staff layoffs" (Conway and Martinez, 1998-2009). This is going to effect everyone who is associated with any college or university. CSU Universities accept many students each year, but, "for the first time in history, CSU plans to eliminate 10,000 admission spots for the 2009-10 school year by moving up application deadlines and raising academic standards for incoming freshman" (California State University Northridge, 2008). 

 

            

            Students who do get into a public university are still going to suffer. There will be many crammed classrooms due to, "dramatic increases in class sizes and un underfunded market for instructional materials" (Wilson, 2008). This will effect the education that students are paying thousands of dollars for. Students are going to have to pay than just tuition, room and board to attend these universities, "if UC does not get the funding it needs from the state, funds have to be taken from the students" (Flannery, 2008). This will make the cost of attend a public university even more expensive than it already is. Students who are attending public colleges are going to be there longer because, "CSU classes are becoming increasingly crowded and many students are taking longer to earn bachelor's degrees because they cannot get into the classes they need to fulfill graduation requirements" (Doyle, 2008), this is a sad fact because this means more money out of the student's pocket of the parent's checkbook.

 

            

            The problem is also trickling down and effecting our young students. Some programs that are being cut are some of the most important due to the fact that, "the programs emphasize development of literacy skills in young children and require parental involvement" (Borsuk, 2008). The employees that work at any educational institution are also in danger, because these budget cuts, "would temporarily freeze hiring, with the exception of public safety employees and professors whose hiring process was underway" (Dillon and Zezima, 2008). This will effect many jobs that very important. Teachers and the adults that we see at school when we are young, help shape who we grow up to be. If they are fired, or not even hired, it will effect the children.

 

 

            This 'crisis', as some would say is very serious and people wanted it over with. Prices are skyrocketing, people are getting fired, pay is decreasing for school employees, and acceptance rates are also decreasing. This effects young students, older students, parents, teachers, administrators, and everyone else in between. This will also effect our future, if our young students do not get the education they need when they are young, when it is most crucial, our future as a nation will be effected, which, "will depend on the choices we make today" (Edelman, 2008). The choices we are making right now, are not very good ones, we need to help the younger generations to help our state and country in the future. These budget cuts are a big deal and hopefully the problem is fixed soon because, "California is on the brink of what may be the biggest public education crisis in state history" (Wood, 2008).

 

Reference List

 

Borsuk, A.  J. (July 1, 2008). "United way increases funds for early childhood education: Organization sees     

        programs a way to break a cycle of poverty." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. http://web.ebscohost.com/src

        9c3JjLWxpdmU%3d#db=nfh&AN=2W62W62069794799 (Accessed 1/12/09).

 

 

California State Univerity Northridge. (November 28,2008). Impact of budget crisis on California's colleges, 
        including CSUN. Retrieved January 12, 2009 from http://blogs.csun.edu/news/clips/2008/11/29/impact-
        of-budget-crisis-on-californias-colleges-including-csun/ .

 

Conway, D. & K.  Martinez. (1998-2009). The California budget and the crisis of public education. 
        Retrieved January 12, 2009 from http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/may2008/educ-m03.shtml .

 

Dillon, S. & K.  Zezima. (October 2, 2008). Bank Limits Fund Access by Colleges, Inciting Fears. Retrieved 
        January 12, 2009 from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/education/02college.html .

 

Doyle, J. (November 20, 2008). "CSU to impose enrollment caps in budget cuts." Hearst Communications Inc., 
        page A19. Retrieved January 12, 2009 from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11

        /20/BADS1483JN.DTL .

 

Edelman, M. W.  (2008). The way we will be 50 years from today: 60 of the world's greatest minds. 
        (Edited by Mike Wallace). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

 

Flanney, D.  C.  (2008). UC reacts to education crisis by inflating costs. Retrieved January 12, 2009 
        from http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=10484 .

 

Gardner, W. (January 14, 2008). "The 'crisis' of U.S. education." International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 
        January 12, 2009 from http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/14/opinion/edgardner.php .

 

Headway Strategies. (2008, October). Education spending and the economy.  
        http://www.educationbusinessblog.com/2008/10/education_spending_and _the_eco_1.html (Accessed 
        1/12/09).

    

 

Wood, D.  B. (March 21, 2008). California's fiscal crisis hits schools. Retrieved January 12, 2009 from 
        http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0321/p02s01-usgn.html .