Where does the money go?

Question

I read in an article in my local paper that the Federal government spends $14,000 per student on education. There were no sources to confirm this other than the subjects of the article - a US Senator and a US Representative. My research through the US Dept of Ed failed to locate any exact numbers, although there are more than 500 reports available.

If these amounts are remotely accurate, that means $280,000 for a class of 20 students; $420,000 for a class of 30 !!!!!

As an educator, I am wondering . . . Who has my share?

C'mon, 'fess up !!! You know who you are !!! Fork it over !!!

Seriously, how much is spent per student? How much comes from the Feds? Where does it go?

Personally, I think the politicians pulled the numbers out of their @sses to make teachers look bad (again).

Answer 1

Very simple.

Standardized tests cost TENS OF MILLIONS of dollars every year, and the school districts are required to purchase the tests from their budgets.

Add in too many administration positions at the district and state levels, diversion of classroom funds to sports programs, etc., and very little actually "trickles down" into the classroom.

If you ask most teachers whether they'd want double the pay for themselves, or double the district teaching staff so that they could have half the class size or caseload... most would opt for cutting the class size/caseload in half. We want to be able to do our jobs effectively, and there is just not enough individual time per student the way things are set up now.

Yes, the politicians are trying to cut education funding by attempting to scapegoat teachers.

Answer 2

If you calculate how much the average person gives on taxes, you would defenitely question it.

Remember that a new school cost about 150 milion these days


Crossing guards, school buses (120000) and the drivers, the princcipal and the superintendant, the janitor, supplies, books, etc.

there are a lot of expenses other than ssalary. A lot of it gets wasted, just like everything else.

Answer 3

Amen! I served on the local school board for 10 years and worked on budget every spring. Hmmm...I don't remembr seeing the fed's share on any of those line items! Maybe it goes directly to the states? And the states disburse it for building projects etc.? Other than that - and some federal grant money that I took advantage of from the NCLB legislation - I think they're pulling those numbers right from where you suspect they are!

Answer 4

When i went to school our paper,pencils,books,was all ready taken care
of by the govement.All schools are run by govement.The only thing is the
govement spends to much money on shooting things up to moon where
we will never live.And the war,there goes more money.The problem is they take away from where it should go,and put it where they think it should be.I hope some day the schools will get back on track.In the mean time look for Sale items to save.Good luck to all student's.

Answer 5

education administrators.....