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| No | 63% | 104 votes | Total: 164 votes | |
| Yes | 37% | 60 votes |
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Add to FavoritesWe have a system today that pays for public education using primarily property taxes collected. This means that in lower income/ lower property valued areas of cities schools will not be funded at the same levels as they are in suburban / high-end areas. By this alone there is an imbalance in educational outcomes that ultimately translates into university test scores; this is why I vote no in this debate children should not be educationally impoverished by the poverty of their parents. This is not a popular stand, I know.
There are only a couple of ways to fix this problem. One is to collect taxes based on property values and then spread them equally across all schools based upon need. The other is to allow children to attend schools outside of their immediate district based upon an entrance criterion. Of course there is a third that actually makes more sense, which is to improve all education facilities through federal fund grants where there is a short fall of local fund collections. What makes the most sense is a combination of federal funds and school vouchers. Improving our entire educational system will be a slower process that will not happen overnight so in the interim it is important that we enable those children who truly can benefit from attending a different school the ability to do so.
Young people, especially at the High School level should be thinking about their future; whether they will pursue college or trade school. Whether they will pursue a two year degree or a four year degree in liberal arts or the sciences. Our High Schools should be preparing them for these choices and offering them options. Today our High Schools are barely anything more than glorified babysitting facilities; social gathering places for young adults rather than preparatory schools for life. We should be demanding a change to how our young people are taught, how our schools are organized, how our schools are funded, and finally how young people are assigned to them.
High Schools can and should specialize and thus attract a student body; in essence be "for profit" receiving funds based upon the number of students taught each year. Elementary and Middle Schools will be funded out of pooled funds at a state level ensuring that all schools are equally funded at a fair minimum. Wealthier districts would have the option to vote "extra" funds for their schools if they were so inclined, there would be nothing to stop them from doing so.
It is at the High School level that the competition would really take place for the students. In my scheme all High Schools would be State "owned" and competitive starting in the ninth grade. Competition would be based on a number of different criteria including academics, athletics, the arts; I would want to see schools specialize. Busing would be offered city wide. All schools would require academic excellence where the specialization was arts or athletics; meaning those schools that specialized in say Arts would require a minimum of a 2.5 GPA in all academic subjects for a student to remain in good standing. Of course there would be schools that specialize in general studies and college preparation.
I believe that this approach would accomplish two things; first it would ensure that young people get out of their enclaves and meet others. Second it would prepare a larger population of young people for the world. Yes, it might make many parents unhappy initially; those who believe that their money should buy them the insulation from the big bad world and the right to "better" public education through their tax dollars. But the fact is that every child has the right to a public education and today our public education isn't working. We have to find a better way to educate our young and prepare them for the world.
Learn more about this author, Valentine Logar.
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Yes
Part of a child's education is socialization, the instilling of a sense of community and civic pride. For children, the time they spend at school is a large part of this facet of education. The school and their classmates are an integral part of their community.
As parents, as adults, we take pride in our geographic community. We maintain our homes, support and patronize local commerce, and of course, support our local schools.
In this, we teach our children the importance of good citizenship, so that they can eventually become contributing members of society. This education begins within their community, of which the local school is part.
A school that has the support of local businesses and community members succeeds not only academically, but serves as a focal point for the community.
Why would parents want to send their children to a school outside of their own community, if it is from the community that the child learns his or her socialization skills and develops civic pride?
If a local school is not performing, that is, it is overcrowded, shows poor test scores, and fails to provide expected levels of improvement, then the adults of the community must act. Simply shifting children to another school tells these children their own community is not worth saving.
Location based assignments of schools is a practical and economic solution to placement of children in the public school system. But parents are not compelled to place their children in local schools. They can opt for other schools within the district in which they reside. They can opt for schools in other districts. They can send their children to private schools, charter schools, or boarding schools. They can home school their children, if they are so inclined.
The only legal obligation of parents is to provide their children with an adequate and appropriate education.
But location based education has its advantages. Children remain close to home, and so, as cited above, spend their time within the community. Location based education also ensures that community members have a direct relationship with the school district.
Whether a parent chooses to send their children to the local school or not, that parent still provides financial support to that local school through bonds and taxes. We are the financiers of the public school system. We are in the unique position of providing capital and being the customers. If we are paying into a community resource then we should expect to reap the benefits of that resource.
This makes us stakeholders in the local school district. This means that the staff of that district is compelled to meet the needs of the community that is its employer. We elect the school board members and we can hold them accountable for the condition of our local school buildings and the quality of education provided by the staff members of those schools.
This direct financial and geographic relationship ensures that all community members have the ability to continually improve their neighborhoods and communities.
A school's reputation can influence the market value of a neighborhood. Good schools attract families. Family neighborhoods attract business. Business means a strong tax base. A strong tax base means monetary availability for local improvements and that means higher market values.
When parents choose to avail themselves of the location based school assignment, and continue to be involved not only in their own children's education but in the school as well, they are building a community asset.
When community members take an active role in their local schools through volunteerism, through participation in school district committees and sponsored events they improve their neighborhoods and are positive role models for the local children.
When children value their community, they are far less likely to become involved in activities that would harm that community, such as vandalism or tagging. They are also more likely to build positive relationships within the community, leading to such benefits as employment opportunities and recommendations for college applications.
Locatio n based assignments are practical and economical. They allow school districts to provide transportation, to anticipate budgetary needs, and establish relationships with a specific community. They allow parents to keep their children close to home and participate in their children's education.
Location based school assignments is one of the better options available to parents. It is the best way parents have of creating community assets through the public school system and it is the best way the system has of organizing the placement of children within the public school system.
Learn more about this author, Shelly Mcrae.
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