Educational Funding
Schools across the nation are experiencing dramatic cuts in funding and students, teachers and our nation are directly affect. It is the president's duty to promote the growth and progression in our nation, yet our future generation is negatively affected by diminishing school funds.
Blerta Prenaj
November 8, 2016
Honorable Future President
Dear future president of the United States of America,
In Chicago, Illinois, more than 1,000 students “took to the streets to protest” the dramatic school funding cuts in April (Williams). Detroit, Michigan schools are in danger of shutting down if the government “can’t reach a deal to restructure” finances. Arizona, Idaho, Oklahoma, Wisconsin are among the 31 different states that educational funding has decreased by more than 15% (Leachman, Albares, Masterson, and Wallace). Among these states the “total state funding per student” is significantly less compared to when the recession hit. A president’s duty is to promote the growth and the progression in our nation, yet our future generation is negatively affected by diminishing school funds.
During the harsh winter time in Philadelphia, a student named Jameria “would often run to her high school Spanish class, though not to get a good seat,” but to choose a warm blanket for class (Turner, Mccorry, Worf, Gonzales, Carapezza, and Mcinerny). Jameria attends a school that is located in a district containing a rich racial population, but also containing low income families. The school funding cuts have particularly affected “areas with high rates of poverty” and students “suffer from lack of resources at home” and in their school environment (Lynch). These appalling cuts in areas with high poverty will increase criminal juvenile rates, unskilled workers, student dropouts and the wealth gap.
Not only do students experience the disadvantages of school funding cuts, but also teachers who are looking for jobs. Local school districts have dramatically cut down on job opportunities and in result there is a lack of jobs. Schools across the nation are forced “to lay off teachers” which overall decreases wages (Leachman, Albares, Masterson, and Wallace). While the number of teachers is falling, the number of students is rising which ultimately deprives students of their effective learning time (Leachman, Albares, Masterson, and Wallace).
It is essential that the United States increases educational fundings and you- the future president- must be the one that leads the way for change. Students are lacking teachers, resources, and quality education that are necessary for the advancement of our nation. Whether that includes raising taxes, providing more jobs, or increasing school budgets, it is crucial that we lead the way for student success. After all “ the only thing more expensive than education is ignorance” (Benjamin Franklin).
Cordially yours,
Blerta Prenaj
Works Cited/Additional Information
Photo Credit
http://fbworkroom.blogspot.com/p/recent-history-of-educaiton-funding-in.html
