Educational Funding in America

Matthew R. Ferry

English- University Writing Essentials/147

1/11/2015
Carrie Kendall

Educational Funding in America

Most people these days are aware of the demand for more educational funding, but some still may be unaware of the need. Educational funds lack because of lack of priority in understanding importance of early education, because of political disagreements/delays, and because of states’ prioritization of budgets. There are a few main reasons that education funds lack in the present day and age. First of all, there is not enough focus on the importance of funding early education. Many say that the start of a student’s education is the most important. Also, the decisions regarding education fall on each of the individual states, therefore, there are many political figures who are involved and this can lead to policies being delayed significantly due to the indecision of where funds should come from. Lastly, the ways in which states prioritize their budgets also needs more attention, case and point, the lottery.

According the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 35 states in the U.S. have their educational funding cost per student lower in the 2013-2014 school year, than they did in the year before the recession. Education in America is taking a hit right from the beginning. In some towns in the U.S., the budget is so tight that if extra funding was granted at the Pre-K level then this would in turn affect K-12. In a 2010 article about prioritizing early education funding, state superintendent Mike Flanagan commented on Pre K spending stating that this is “Where it matters most.” (S.J. Demas, 2010, p. B.3)[1] Also, another reason for the lack of Pre K funding is the lack of union activity to back it up as these represent primarily and in some cases only K-12 teachers.

Political disagreement also causes delays and denials of proposed funding for educational funding. This year in Utah, plans have been proposed to increase personal income taxes by 1%. This, in turn, would equate to $585 million more in educational spending. Certain state financial and political leaders in Utah, however, oppose such increases. “Raising the tax rate would only hurt Utah in Economic growth.” Says VP of Utah of taxpayers association Billy Hesterman (Jacobsen, 2014, para. 11)[2]. It seems as if Utah provides an example of the legislature and its residents needing to find more solutions on education and less reasons to disagree as this creates costly delays and delays the initiative at hand which is to actually push through the funding needed to its schools.

Lastly, states need to more effectively use lottery monies that are not only for education, but sit in reserve and collect interest. In a 2008 general interest periodical submitted to the Savannah (GA) Morning News, it is stated that half of the waiting list for pre-K students in Georgia could be eliminated and spots filled with these waiters if they only used the interest on the $946 billion in lottery money in reserve[3]. This is not money that should be held, but rather released and put to use by the schools who need it in each of the individual states.

In thinking on the issues at hand in regards to education, we have looked at lack of funding for pre K and early education, political indecision or disagreement, and budget prioritizing by states with the lottery as an example. Citizens and tax payers need to come together more on the issue of funding the education to create more swift results for the students. There needs to be a far greater focus on education at the Pre K and kindergarten levels to get students started on the right path from day 1. We also need to take more in depth looks as to where our tax money is going. Maybe ask your local mayor or senator for a breakdown of what your tax money goes to.

References 1) Demas, S. J. (2010, June 17). Make funding early education a priority. Detroit News, p.B.3 2) Jacobsen, M. (2014, November 26). Proposed tax increase a 'bold move' for education. Deseret News 3) LOTTERY FUNDS: EXPAND PRE-K.(2008, Nov 04). Savannah Morning News, Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/382020584?accountid=458

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