Are republicans willing to increase the budget for education?

Question

Or do they think it is 'liberal ideals' that are the problem with our educational system?

I am not referring to 'federal' republicans. Just reps in general. Are they willing to increase the budget for education or not?

Answer 1

The current budget does have an increase in federal spending on k-12 and college education. It was a boring read, but I finished it late last night. very boring read.

The problem with our education system is too many chiefs. If we are going to spend federal dollars on education, then we need to remove all local and state oversight of education. if we do not want to remove that oversight, then we need to remove all federal dollars from education. Too many chiefs and not enough braves.

Answer 2

Increasing the budget for education like you ask would not be feasible.

First, outside of the "No Child Left Behind" Program (which liberals and democrats hate), education is a state-run affair. Each state handles the budget and design for their respective schools (ever think where most of the money that numerous state lotteries go to? - its state education program).

Second, before you just throw money at the problem (a common democrat maneuver seen way too often), look at how the current budget is being used. The education committees get their hands on the money first and take their cut. Then, there is an appropriation committee which designates which schools get what amount (minus an amount for themselves). Once the money gets down to the schools, the money has already been designated for specific purposes by the committee (earmarking) thus minimizing the usefulness of the money given to them.

Third, teachers are more concerned with their own paycheck than the results of their work. It doesn't help when teachers are given little authority in their own classrooms and must appease each student due to political correctness and bleeding-heart liberals who would rather have their supporters feeling good about themselves than actually be educated to unlock their potential. However, with fewer benefits and unimpressive salaries, teachers are not maintaining the level of enthusiasm that they may have had initially.

Fourth, the curriculum has gone to utter disarray. There has been more passing the buck and passing kids into the next grade that should not be allowed to move up. However, many liberal policies have pushed for a "kid-friendly" school system (and we have seen where that has gotten this nation). When you look at the difference between generations regarding education levels and graduation rates, there has been a solid decline in the former and harsh jump in the latter. Honestly, after a certain point in elementary school, teaching and learning seem to be rare commodities.

Fifth, the rise of homeschooling in many areas have taken away money from school and given it to those who elect to teach their children themselves instead of trusting a failing system. Between the rise of at-school violence and the decline of educational standards, parents have chosen to take their children's education into their own hands. While their intentions are noble, this may not be the best idea for many families and schools since this could ultimately hurt both groups. However, if school districts were to reestablish stronger controls in the schools in both disciplinary and educational scopes, then the need for homeschooling may not be necessary.

Sixth, political correctness and personal political agendas are beyond inherent in the school systems. Looking at textbooks today and comparing them to ones from the past show a major shift in the viewpoints of both certain education leaders and liberal caterers. There are more concerns about keeping our classrooms together with political correctness, but P.C. has wrecked our education and allowed children to forget or ignore what they should know and need to learn to become successful in the future.

Seventh, we have thrown more money away into failed education programs than just about any other nation on the planet. We are supposed to be the world's leading nation, yet our basic education system is ranked somewhere in the teens when compared to the "global community" (note the sarcasm in the commentary). This nation's kids would get steamrolled in a general test that other country's children would pass without much effort due to the emphasis on EDUCATING THE KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM.

There needs to be a return to values in the classroom. Make sure the children know how to read and write and perform arithmetic instead of patting them on the head and saying "nice try" when they fail and just leave them hanging. We need to let our teachers get tougher with the children in their classrooms and not be buddy-buddy with them all the time. Without discipline and better education standards, this country's future will continue to spiral downward without much hope for survival.

Answer 3

No matter how much money is spent we will not yield any positive changes till a curriculum is arrived at that meets the needs of all students .
This along with simplifying the requirements for becoming a teacher . A woman who can not do algebra or teach it may be able to help Johnny learn to read . Increasing the level of education of all teachers has only given them an inability to relate and teach children . They may be smarter but are lacking in the ability to teach . A good teacher is able to relate to the students on their level . SO lets continue to put in people with teaching degrees who expect exceptional pay and benefits but can not teach .

Answer 4

The problem with our education system is that there are too many people at the federal level trying to tell the local school system how to run their schools. Education is best done when the local schools do their jobs.

Answer 5

No, we need to get rid of the Dept. of education completely. Education is a state issue, not a federal issue. So my answer is to cut the funding dramatically. What we're doing now isn't working, and all we have done is throw more money at it and we've seen no results.

Answer 6

The liberal answer to anything is throw more money at it and use a catch phrase like "It's for the children"

FACT: The Washington DC school system spends more money per student on education than any place in the country yet it is the worst school system in the country.

Throwing money at a problem won't solve it as long as there is no demand for accountability.

Answer 7

Look at the budget proposal from the President.
He has asked for a blank check for the war.
And is cutting or giving little increases to a lot of social programs.
Including Medicare and Medicare.
The Republicans have had twelve years to better fund the education system. So the answer is obvious.

Answer 8

Yes, if you prove the increased funds will result in positive outcomes - improvement.

Yes, the way the teaching takes place is part of the problem - just as the rules governing soldiers in Iraq was part of the problem.

Throwing more resources at either is largely useless unless the ground rules are changed somewhat.

Answer 9

When Jimmy (checkbook) Carter formed the NEA it created a huge beurocracy. Much of the money is spent before education gets down to the teacher in the classroom. There is plenty of money for education. There are just to many paid positions that are worthless.

Answer 10

For 2007, the President is requesting $54.4 billion in discretionary appropriations for the Department of Education.Discretionary appropriations for the Department will have grown by almost $12.2 billion, or 29 percent, since fiscal year 2001.
So I guess the answer to your question is , they have....