School Inequality

     Schools across the country spend varying amounts per student in their districts. Some amounts are extremely low, while others are able to afford extremely high per student expenditures. This inequality in spending often leads to inequality in education. In the wealthy suburbs, this may seem like someone else's problem. The reality is that it is everyone's problem, because, eventually, we are all touched by the outcomes. It's great when you have a great tax base because of industry or wealthy people who can afford higher property taxes---but what about those who can't.  The attached article shows the disparity in school funding.  This has a direct influence on the quality of education.  What happens when schools cannot afford to provide an adequate education?

     You may have a higher drop-out rate.  In New York City, many districts have a drop-out rate of 70% or higher. SEVENTY PERCENT. What happens to those students? How do they find a job?  How does that affect the crime rate, the unemployment rate, drug use, welfare, etc. Who in New York State pays for this? The answer is everyone--- in higher taxes. 

     Teacher turnover may be greater. How many teachers get started in a district with lower pay and a difficult school environment and then move on to a higher paying job elsewhere?  How can a district improve with constant turnover?

     Even for the students and teachers who stay in the system, what kind of education are the children receiving when there are no books or supplies, buildings are falling apart, or the work week has to be shortened because of the lack of money as is illustrated in the article?

     All of the community's resources are strained, from social services, to police, to medical facilities, etc. When a community does not have the resources to help people in need, what happens to the community?

      These are questions that affect all of us. Every single person. If nothing changes, the cycle will continue. 

Here is that article: https://www.npr.org/2016/04/18/474256366/why-americas-schools-have-a-money-problem?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20160418