As the American economy worsens, both schools and educators will be forced to face many difficult decisions. While the recent passing of President Barack Obama's education stimulus package may come as a relief to many schools in the nation, it also raises serious questions about the distribution of funding, as well as the best ways to spend the money wisely. In this video feature, Professor Thomas Hehir, Professor Thomas Payzant, and Lecturer Janice Jackson discuss many of the issues facing schools and districts in light of the economy and the education stimulus package.
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I support keeping teacher's jobs. Special Ed needs to remain intact, as do keeping support staff to support our student's varying needs. Additionally a 0% budget increase would negatively impact class size, as well as time teachers have to collaborate with colleagues.
Thank you for the helpful comments. I do wonder if it's time to have a national debate as to "what" should be taught/learned in public schools. Thus, determine what among the accelerating expectations that exist should be funded by our government entities. This more than likely would require selectively abandoning some of what we're currently required/expected to provide in a public school setting, but I contend if it's important enough for the public and government to require/expect, then it's important enough to fund it... otherwise drop it. We need to go through some organized abandonment in American Public Schools. We have enough money to do anything, just not everything. So rather than doing many things fairly well shouldn't we consider doing fewer things very well?
Stephen:
Well said. We spend huge amounts of money on (in my opinion) non-essential services. This process of selectively abandoning expectations and requirements may also require a fundamental change in how school is run. Do high schools continue to require all the elective classes? Right now the graduation requirements of my high school are 10 credits of core academic classes (4 English, 2 each of Math Science and SS.) The remaining eleven credits are electives. If electives are not required do they require students to spend the entire 7.5 hour day in school?
What does the stimulus packet say about grants/monies for those who want to complete a degree, say a doctoral degree? Will money be available?
Are there stimulus funds available for pursuing a doctorate degree? I was let go from my job and am really rethinking what I want to do in my next job. I'd love the opportunity to return to school. My hope is to expand on my Masters degree in Social Work, make use of my love of working with children and families and teach at a school or community organization. I'd appreciate any information along these lines. Thank you.