Do you think states that spend more money on schools do better?

Question

The video below is about the schools in America. I wanted to know what you thought.

NOTE: this video is about 40 minutes long

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfRUMmTs0ZA

Answer 1

I don't have time to watch the video...at least not now, but I think it would depend how the money is spent, it's not just how much money a district has that can make the difference. BUT, of course having money and using it wisely could make a significant difference - for example...up to date text books, computers in the classroom, current maps in the classroom. It's difficult to teach when the material is 10 years old. It would also help to pay teachers more :-) because some really awesome teachers leave the profession because it costs more to live than we make. We do spend A LOT of out of pocket money for pencils, folders, paper and tissue and more because not all kids come from families who value education and send their kids to school with pencils or other supplies. I know I could make 3 times the money doing 1/3 the work, but there are things money can't buy, like the spontaneous hugs from kids and notes that tell me I'm the best teacher in the world.

Answer 2

Spending money to send people to school that WANT to go to school is always a good thing. But, just spending money on public schools is not necessarily the best thing... like the video said.. it depends upon HOW the money was spent. Spending money on massive sports and physical fitness centers did NOT improve the scolastic achievements of one of the schools mentioned.

I do not know the particulars of the schools studied in the 20/20 report (I did watch most of it)... but in my own experience...

1. If a school has the opportunity to get rid of teachers that do not perform well... they are better than schools that cannot.

2. If a school is able to get rid of students who do not behave appropriately... then the students do better in general because they know that if they do not study or do what is required.. then they are out and back to the "normal" public school system.

3. I believe it has been shown by some studies that smaller class sizes helps students do better (more personal time with the teachers maybe?).

4. If a school does not spend the money to maintain their buildings then students are less likely to respect the facilities and do even more damage to it (exceptions are abundant for this though). I mean that if a school is in poor shape.. it is more likely to get graffittied or vandalized in some manner.

5. It is hard to get good teachers when their pay is so low. In my area teachers get about $35,000 a year... minimum... but with the same education a person can easily earn $50-$60,000 a year to start at many firms (depending upon the specialization in the University). Which job would YOU take if you were good at what you learned in school?

6. Most teachers that I met did not teach for the money.. some did (and for the job security)... but good teachers burn out after a few years and move on to new jobs while poorer teachers are afraid to move to a new job and cling to a job that they cannot do well.... so the overall quality of teaching goes down.

7. In a few schools that I have observed... Parent participation was REQUIRED to get the student enrolled (alternative schools) and student participation was greatly increased and the students learned much more and much faster than in some other places I have observed.

In conclusion... money is not the only thing to throw at the schools... time... attention... better rules... and help from the public at large make a big difference.

Answer 3

I've seen something like this on Primetime or 20-20. Basically, its about the quality of education, not quantity. There are schools in Europe that function with a much smaller budget than most of our schools here in the States that offer great educational opportunities by competing for students. If a school didn't have enough students attending(for a price), then the school would have to shut down. If our schools realize that education should focus on the quality of education that the students receive, then students should do better. Otherwise, the schools and school districts just waste tax-payer money, and that's just horrible.

Answer 4

It is not only how MUCH money is spent, but HOW it is spent.

More money placed in staffing (smaller class sizes) and in-classroom materials and curriculum will result in better performance.

Just throwing money in the general fund doesn't always get it to where it really needs to be to improve student learning performance.

Answer 5

crickets

Answer 6

yes!