There is a problem in the American education system. Schools are left without funding for their students. Various studies show student success depends on their access to resources and well qualified teachers. Low socio economic status students do not receive equal education. Policy makers that do not have a background in education should not be able to decide how school funding is allocated. Budget cuts to public schools are limiting performance goals and leaving an educational gap. Despite the argument that funding is not the only problem, there is a correlation between schools that receive more money and its student success rate. If schools were properly funded student achievement rates would improve.
Funding for schools is key to student success. Yet there is a lack of resources for students to have a chance of high achievement. According to Peña, Rodrigo H., et al., “…students need to have quality teachers and principals, new facilities, and the newest technology resources. However, many school districts do not have the resources or the funding from the federal or state government to provide all the necessary resources to ensure student success” (4). If resources have a direct effect on student achievement, then why are we failing them? Students need us to find solutions to the school funding crisis. There have been laws put into place such as The No Child Left Behind Act and then was replaced by former President Barack Obama who signed into law Every Student Succeeds Act (4). These laws are meant to help increase funding and resources, but it is not being allocated fairly. “Since school districts receive limited budgets, it is important that school leaders collaborate with school finance personnel to ensure that funding is spent on curriculum resources that will make a difference on student achievement” (5). The way schools are receiving their money and how they budget is a direct correlation with student success.
“School funding should not be fucking funded through property taxes!” During my interview with Eduardo, a former student from the public school district in rural Georgia, he expressed a lot of anger and frustration about schools’ funding. The first questioned I asked was, “Do you think there is equal education for all students in public schools?” He then answers, “Because of the property taxes, this leads to lower quality schools for the ones in the poorer neighborhoods and gives the system of people with wealth better schools.” While he answered my questions, he seemed very passionate about what we were talking about and angry. His reactions surprised me because he said everything that I think is true, but we never talked about this topic before. We were on a video call, so I could see his physical reactions to this interview as well. I observed his body language as we were talking, and he was moving up in his seat a lot while being frustrated and using his hands to show his passion. I was not expecting him to move around as much as he did because we play games together so I can see him through the web camera, and Eduardo rarely moves around as much when he is frustrated. His answers and reactions affected me in a good way. I felt some peace that I was not the only one who cares a lot about the school system and its funding.
Robert, who is a graduate from Georgia Southern University with a degree in education, and communication and networking, stated “I would love to have anyone who makes a decision of where the money goes to have a Ph.D. in education, or at least have been a teacher because then they would understand the struggles with the funding. Some teachers have to buy supplies from their own pockets because the school cannot provide them for the classroom.” I was not surprised by his statements because he has a degree in education and is going on to teaching. He understands firsthand what goes on in a classroom. Because he said that during the interview, I was not taken back about teachers having to buy their supplies; an example of the lack of needed supplies, my son’s school gives us a massive list of classroom supplies needed simply because the school does not have the money for the resources, including basic needs such as paper towels or markers for the whole class to share. Teachers should not have to worry about having the necessary supplies for their students because they do not have the right tools to improve their students’ success.
Administrators and School Board members are making budget cuts that effect students’ resources. For example, “Some of the immediate effects in Texas are similar to those of other states that have experience budget cuts in recent years. Some of the effects were increased class sizes, deferred upgrades in technology and maintenance, and cutting the prekindergarten funding… In addition, curriculum and instruction has been compromised by increasing the number of students in every classroom…” (5). These students are left without having a chance because the state and other policy makers are making financial decisions that directly effects the students’ success. The teacher to student ratio in the larger classrooms makes it difficult to give more attention to some students who need it. Students who need more one on one time are not receiving it due to the budget cuts, thus leaving an educational gap (5). Every child deserves a chance to succeed, but they can not do so without the correct funding and resources.
I interviewed David, FPN, a family nurse practitioner, and a father of two, because I wanted a parent's perspective. David is a well-respected member of the community, so his opinion mattered to me. The interview took place over the phone, so I was only able to hear his tone. While asking him a series of questions about school funding and if he is a member of parent teacher committees, he seemed calm but also upset about certain funding situations. As a father, he talked about the lack of having other parents involved with the school community. David stated, “I wish more parents would come to meetings because they talk about the annual school budget and tell you where the funding is going. At the meetings, they let you ask questions and mention any concerns you may have. If they want to change the funding, they need to come to these meetings, too, and voice their opinion.” I felt defensive because I am a parent, and I try to go to meetings, but sometimes I cannot because of my work hours. I was surprised that he did not consider other parents who cannot go even though they want to. It upset me because it seemed like he was saying he is the only one, so anyone who did not go does not care about their child’s school. David believes that in addition to the lack of funding there is also a lack of parental involvement with and accountability to the school community. Although I agree that there could be more parental involvement, I still believe the primary problem is funding and lack of resources.
Students every day have to go to their school with the chance of being successful taken away because there are no proper resources. Yes, there are other outside factors to student success, but the main one is funding. Without the proper budgeting and resources, how can we assume every child is receiving an equal education. Some children have other problems to worry about, but we should not add another one that is not their fault. There are many problems with the American education system: lack of funding, lack of facilities, lack of qualified teachers, lack of involved parents, lack of opportunities. However, one day we will rise again and have a new start that puts children first and let them have a bright future.
Works Cited
Peña, Rodrigo H., et al. “Low SES High School per Pupil Allocation and Its Effect on Achievement.” Journal of Instructional Pedagogies, vol. 21, Oct. 2018. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,sso&db=eric&AN=EJ1194258&site=ehost-live.
Arteaga, Eduardo. Video interview. 08 July 2020.
Holappal, Robert. Phone interview. 06 July 2020.
Flowers, David. Phone interview. 12 July 2020.