Funding the Future

Over the years America has slowly lost interest in the education that public schools provide. Many public schools lack the tools and resources for student success and it’s not typically the school’s fault. Education systems lack the proper funding, from our national and state government, to function to its fullest potential to help students succeed after graduation.
This problem affects many students ranging from age five to eighteen across the nation; especially those from low income households and neighborhoods. This also tends to affect the African American and Latino population of America more than the average white kid. If the education is required by law and affects such a large portion of the population in America, then funding for education should be a more of a priority.
Many things have caused the education system to be put on the back burner of America. One of the most obvious facts that cause this problem is the amount of money the government spends on other things over the education system. For example, national investments have spent three times more on the prison system than the education system since the 1980’s. The national government also spends an incredible amount of money on the military. America is already number one, who are they trying to impress? Another cause due to the government is the percentage each state has to provide on its own. On average, 44% of the educational of funding comes from the state. Some states find it difficult to fund the whole state especially when it has a large city like Chicago. Much of the state funding goes to the city of Chicago and its suburbs that it appears the rest of Illinois doesn’t matter. Another major cause is the mindset of the American people, 60% of Americans think that balancing the federal budget is more important than the quality of public education.
The effects of this tremendous lack of funding are terrible for the current students who are the future of America. The cuts in funding force districts to let go of educators and other workers in the school system. 324,000 have lost their job as a worker for the future of America since 2008. While some funding is being restored it does not come close to making up for the previous budget cuts. This causes the teacher quality and quantity to decline especially in the low income areas. The lack of great educators has an enormous impact on the current students. Approximately six million students, grades 7-12, are struggling to read at grade level and among the highest, 70% of the 8th graders read below the standard. Schools are not sufficiently preparing students for a bright future. They lack the resources and technology to show the students how to succeed after graduation. If the students are the future, then why isn’t the government helping them more?
Now, it would be pointless to rant on and on about what’s wrong with the system unless some solutions are offered. The first solution would be to cut government funding in other areas that are not as important as America’s future. Not completely getting rid of any program but just cutting their funds by a little. For example, the prison system has three times more funding than the education system. Why can’t the government cut some of their funds and give it to the schools, who are trying to raise a better generation? Another thing the government could cut is the funding for space flights. Not the space programs, just the flights. If America still wants to discover then they should look into working with other countries. American astronauts could just team up with astronauts from another country. These are just a few examples of places that could take budget cuts.
A good possibitlity, to help resolve this problem, is to raise taxes. 62% of Americans said they would be willing to pay more taxes to help fund the public schooling system. That is more than half! If the people are willing to pay, then let them. Also, if a person is told exactly what his or her taxes were going to towards, they would be more likely to agree with the raising of taxes. It's all how it is presented to the public. It's time to stop putting quality education on hold! The states need to take this into their own hands and find the funds for education.
Another possible solution is to have schools with quite a bit more money “adopt” schools with less funding and could use the help. The richer school could help the other school financially in many ways. Whether that be just a check written out to the other school or it be the richer school allowing the other school to borrow a class set of books. This will also give the students and faculty another opportunity to connect and build relationships with people they might not otherwise know. Doing this will show the students the meaning of community and how each person has the potential to help others.
The best of these solutions would be a combination of the budget cuts and the raising of taxes. The government needs to get their priorities straight and see that the future of America is pretty crummy. The future politicians are those with rich parents who can afford a quality education for their child. And where does that leave the middle and lower class in the future? If budget cuts were made it would free up a little money to help the schools. Although, the few suggested above are small amounts it will make a difference. If the taxes were raised that can make an enormous difference in the education system. The government just needs to start caring.
It's time to get involved with the future; It's like no one cares anymore. Just take a look at the education system, the future is not looking to bright for many, many students, but it doesn't have to be that way. With small adjustments on priorities and the budget, there can be a great difference in the education system.