JB111107
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2007
- Messages
- 1,169
Let me preface this by saying, I prefer to homeschool, which we do for 2 of our children. One of our kids is in public school, at least for now, because he is in more need of a classroom setting than I can provide for him. We still do extra lessons at home, but he needs the schedule of a school day for the most part. (and consequently he is at the top of his class academically, reading 3 grade levels higher than his average classmate in 1st grade)
That said, I am beyond annoyed with the school's attitude in regards to fundraisers. They spend a whole day singing the praises of these programs, getting kids to think they're gonna get some big huge prizes, for selling overpriced meaningless stuff. Why, do we, as a whole nation, feel compelled to participate in these things when we already spend more than a majority of countries around the world per student on education, yet it has become blatantly obvious that increased funding does not equal better educations? NCLB is the worst piece of educational garbage to have come out of Washington....quite possibly ever....and our educational system has become nothing short of the PC Police, more concerned about the test scores of students than what they actually learn. To back up my arguement against fundraisers:
In 1985 in Kansas City, Missouri, a judge ordered the school district to raise taxes and spend more money on public education. Spending was increased so much, that the school district was spending more money per student than any of the country's other 280 largest school districts. Although this very high level of spending continued for more than a decade, there was no improvement in the school district's academic performance.
^ Money And School Performance: Lessons from the Kansas City Desegregation Experiment, Cato Institute, March 16, 1998 ^ Catastrophe in Kansas City, December 1995
According to a 1999 article by William J. Bennett, former U.S. Secretary of Education, increased levels of spending on public education have not made the schools better. Among many other things, the article cites the following statisitcs:
Between 1960 and 1995, U.S. public school spending per student, adjusted for inflation, increased by 212%.
In 1994, less than half of all U.S. public school employees were teachers.
Out of 21 industrialized countries, U.S. 12th graders ranked 19th in math, 16th in science, and last in advanced physics.
^ 20 Troubling Facts about American Education, William J. Bennett, October 1999
According to a 2007 article in The Washington Post, the Washington D.C. public school district spends $12,979 per student per year. This is the third highest level of funding per student out of the 100 biggest school districts in the U.S. Despite this high level of funding, the school district provides outcomes that are lower than the national average. In reading and math, the district's students score the lowest among 11 major school districts - even when poor children are compared only with other poor children. 33% of poor fourth graders in the U.S. lack basic skills in math, but in Washington D.C., it's 62%.
^ Can D.C. Schools Be Fixed?, The Washington Post, June 10, 2007
According to a 2005 report from the OECD, the United States is tied for first place with Switzerland when it comes to annual spending per student on its public schools, with each of those two countries spending more than $11,000 (in U.S. currency). Despite this high level of funding, U.S. public schools lag behind the schools of other rich countries in the areas of reading, math, and science.
^ Who's No. 1? Finland, Japan and Korea, Says OECD
According to a 2006 study by the Goldwater Institute, Arizona's public schools spend 50% more per student than Arizona's private schools. The study also says that while teachers constitute 72% of the employees at private schools, they make up less than half of the staff at public schools. According to the study, if Arizona's public schools wanted to be like private schools, they would have to hire approximately 25,000 more teachers, and eliminate 21,210 administration employees. The study also said that public school teachers are paid about 50% more than private school teachers.
^ Private Schools Now 33% Off!, Cato Institute, October 18, 2006
That said, I am beyond annoyed with the school's attitude in regards to fundraisers. They spend a whole day singing the praises of these programs, getting kids to think they're gonna get some big huge prizes, for selling overpriced meaningless stuff. Why, do we, as a whole nation, feel compelled to participate in these things when we already spend more than a majority of countries around the world per student on education, yet it has become blatantly obvious that increased funding does not equal better educations? NCLB is the worst piece of educational garbage to have come out of Washington....quite possibly ever....and our educational system has become nothing short of the PC Police, more concerned about the test scores of students than what they actually learn. To back up my arguement against fundraisers:
In 1985 in Kansas City, Missouri, a judge ordered the school district to raise taxes and spend more money on public education. Spending was increased so much, that the school district was spending more money per student than any of the country's other 280 largest school districts. Although this very high level of spending continued for more than a decade, there was no improvement in the school district's academic performance.
^ Money And School Performance: Lessons from the Kansas City Desegregation Experiment, Cato Institute, March 16, 1998 ^ Catastrophe in Kansas City, December 1995
According to a 1999 article by William J. Bennett, former U.S. Secretary of Education, increased levels of spending on public education have not made the schools better. Among many other things, the article cites the following statisitcs:
Between 1960 and 1995, U.S. public school spending per student, adjusted for inflation, increased by 212%.
In 1994, less than half of all U.S. public school employees were teachers.
Out of 21 industrialized countries, U.S. 12th graders ranked 19th in math, 16th in science, and last in advanced physics.
^ 20 Troubling Facts about American Education, William J. Bennett, October 1999
According to a 2007 article in The Washington Post, the Washington D.C. public school district spends $12,979 per student per year. This is the third highest level of funding per student out of the 100 biggest school districts in the U.S. Despite this high level of funding, the school district provides outcomes that are lower than the national average. In reading and math, the district's students score the lowest among 11 major school districts - even when poor children are compared only with other poor children. 33% of poor fourth graders in the U.S. lack basic skills in math, but in Washington D.C., it's 62%.
^ Can D.C. Schools Be Fixed?, The Washington Post, June 10, 2007
According to a 2005 report from the OECD, the United States is tied for first place with Switzerland when it comes to annual spending per student on its public schools, with each of those two countries spending more than $11,000 (in U.S. currency). Despite this high level of funding, U.S. public schools lag behind the schools of other rich countries in the areas of reading, math, and science.
^ Who's No. 1? Finland, Japan and Korea, Says OECD
According to a 2006 study by the Goldwater Institute, Arizona's public schools spend 50% more per student than Arizona's private schools. The study also says that while teachers constitute 72% of the employees at private schools, they make up less than half of the staff at public schools. According to the study, if Arizona's public schools wanted to be like private schools, they would have to hire approximately 25,000 more teachers, and eliminate 21,210 administration employees. The study also said that public school teachers are paid about 50% more than private school teachers.
^ Private Schools Now 33% Off!, Cato Institute, October 18, 2006
Thats sounds like something I'd do!
!
I don't understand the need for this statement as it pertains to the rest of your post. Many kids are reading above grade level. It's commendable, but not uncommon.
