Money, Money, Money

I was reading some comments people had posted in response to an article about 20,000 teachers in California receiving pink slips. One person commented...."Look, California already spends more per student than any other state. What do we get for that? Pretty much at the bottom of student achievement. Texas not only scores better in 4th grade math, but they score *significantly* better."

First of all, California is 47th in the nation in terms of funding and what we spend per student! The state of New York spends over $18,000 per student each year. California spends just $8,452 per student according to a 2010 report comparing states in terms of funding. And that number is declining each year! California is the 7th most expensive place to live and our funding is more in line with states like Mississippi and Arizona, which have far lower costs of living.

And second of all, we have some of the toughest standards in the nation. Of course Texas scores better, they have a much easier test that they give! It is comparing apples with oranges. Our state standards are not the same. Our tests are not the same. So stop trying to compare us! With the addition of common core set to begin in 2014, we will be able to better gage the achievement of all students in the nation. Then we can have a real discussion about testing and student achievement.

This same individual goes on to say, "The purpose of the schools is to educate children, not to spend money."  Yes, schools are non-profit organizations, but if we don't spend money, how can we educate children? This is the problem right now, the public is badly misinformed by politicians and media attempting to target unions, pensions and collective bargaining. Educators need to do a better job standing up for ourselves.

The funding cuts are real. They are not a ploy to increase your taxes to waste money. They affect real people! To all of those who insist we spend less on education and refuse to consider a tax increase, consider this: Should the young people of this state (ages 5-18) be punished for the poor financial managment of a group of legislators who we as adults elected? Or should we perhaps punish the legislators who refuse to fully fund education by VOTING them out of office?