Economic Crisis And Educational Reform

Shelley clark Scots a capella song burns lyrics Budget cuts in California will impact education. My school district is facing large budget cuts. This has a variety of ramifications, but also serves as a useful catalyst for change. Our district, fiscally conservative for years, is now facing cuts of $6.5m this academic year and another projected $9.5m for next year. As we have heard from Gov. Schwarzenegger some of the options being weighed are, , a shortening of the academic year, termination of arts classes, termination of physical education classes, conversion of teacher preparation times to constant student contact through the day while simultaneously increasing class sizes, de-funding transportation and extra-curricular sports, and, of course, reducing librarians and counselors, possibly even vice principals at the elementary levels. What is at risk? Physical Education. This means even greater obesity in a nation which already boasts the highest rate in the world. Obesity issues cause a burden for health care costs when there are already dire predictions for the future of hospitals in light of rising insurance costs driving clients to drop coverage and depend more on hospital charity. Music class. This deprives students of a breadth of experience for those involved in the program as well as those who benefit from concert performances. Students hear works they would otherwise miss out on, providing a cultural touchstone for the community. Transport for sports activities. This results in restricted participation wherein the families with enough money for one parent to take time out can carry children to extracurricular activities. Sports become classist, elitist, even. Of course, some middle school and high school sports –as activities- are on the block themselves. Teacher prep time. The block of time allotted to teachers under current rules may be eliminated to put students in every classroom every minute of every day. Teachers who already take work home, would lose school planning and collaboration time. On campus resources would become hot commodities as all staff would compete for access to copiers and colleagues at the same time. Tired teachers would reach a threshold of being overworked, exhausted and very quickly burn out. Class size restriction. In addition to time cuts, we may also face space cuts as well. Mandated limitations on class size have provided greater student-teacher interaction and instruction. Removing that cap on numbers will increase stress in the classroom, decrease access to learning resources, and degrade the learning environment.

Enrichment programs. Additional academic groups or series are also at risk of elimination. Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), Dual Immersion (DI), and International Baccalaureate (IB) are all under consideration for budgetary removal. These are the options open for students who show aptitude and dedication for further work and preparation for contribution to an increasingly global information world. In the next few weeks, many teachers and other school district employees can expect to receive notices, a situation which will not be good for consumer confidence even if adjustments are made and all those pink slips end up rescinded. So, what is at risk? Nothing- with the Trickle Down Theory. The wealthy will find what they need and the rest of the population will benefit through vicarious cultural enrichment. What’s at risk? Everything- with the Social Contract Theory. The wealthy will find their own enrichment activities, while the rest of the population will be abandoned to frustrating memories of a time less stratified and hierarchical. Working to enhance the life of my neighbors increases my own quality of life. Philanthropy, volunteerism, charity and sacrifice serve the entire community, society, nation and age. If we are to see an end to this current crisis, we must think not just of ourselves, our finances, our jobs, but of our neighbors as well. Perhaps education can be a part of this. We can rethink and restructure education. The expertise and intellectual capital which is now looking for a new definition could be employed to lead real-world applications for students who are otherwise bound to suffer. Be a part of educational reform, so we can also bring social reform.

This is not an environment which can function as an "engine of equality". Who will continue to benefit from the rich experiences of the arts? The students who are economically advantaged and stable. Who will be able to pay for and manage transportation to sports activities? The same, stable and wealthy families. While disadvantaged children will be less active, more obese, and more dependent on health care. Who will be able to get to the libraries easily? or find other needed resources? The same.

MARKETPLACE SUBMISSION My school district is facing large budget cuts. This has a variety of ramifications. We just had a meeting in which we learnt how our situation is being addressed. We sat down to hear our district, historically fiscally conservative, is now facing cuts of $6m this academic year and another projected $9.5m for next year. Some of the options being weighed are, as we have heard from Gov. Schwarzenegger, a shortening of the academic year, termination of arts classes, termination of physical education classes, conversion of teacher preparation times to constant student contact through the day while simultaneously increasing class sizes, de-funding transportation and extra-curricular sports, and, of course, reducing librarians and counselors, possibly even vice principals at the elementary levels. No PE, therefore greater obesity in a nation which already boasts the highest rate in the world. Obesity issues cause a burden for health care costs when there are already dire predictions for the future of hospitals in light of rising insurance costs driving clients to drop coverage and depend more on hospital charity. No music class deprives students of a breadth of experience for those involved in the programme as well as those who benefit from concert performances. Students hear works they would otherwise miss out on, providing a cultural touchstone for the community. No transport for sports activities results in restricted participation wherein the families with enough money for one parent to take time out can carry children to extracurricular activities. Sports become classist. No teacher prep time. The block of time allotted to teachers under current rules may be eliminated to put students in every classroom every minute of every day. Teachers who already take work home, would lose school planning and collaboration time. On campus resources would become hot commodities as all staff would compete for access to copiers

and colleagues at the same time. Tired teachers would reach a threshold of being overworked, exhausted and very quickly burn out. No class size restriction. In addition to time cuts, we may also face space cuts as well. Mandated limitations on class size have provided greater student-teacher interaction and instruction. Removing that cap on numbers will increase stress in the classroom, decrease access to learning resources, and degrade the learning environment. In the next few weeks, many teachers and other school district employees can expect to receive notices, a situation which will not be good for consumer confidence even if adjustments are made and all those pink slips end up rescinded. If we are not sure of income, we will not spend on new products. I have both less money and less possibility to borrow, so I can't replace my car. The auto industry suffers as does all its suppliers. Money in the hands of consumers, whether by bank loan or by tax rebates, will go back to the economy. Social Contract Theory turns economic. Take care of the community and the community will take care of you.

Today, 28 January 09 I heard that the court decided Schwarzenegger can require furlows of state employees. In the same article, I heard a commentator warning California may not even make it through February without severe financial catastrophe. Again I think of teachers. If we are told to take time off students will be forced to stay at home, pulling parents out work to care for them, further reducing both household income and economic output or production at the same time. Nevertheless, I would not free-teach, but put together a Teacher Train to Washington. Mr. Obama, we must look to the future. It may be a risk to use money our children will have to pay back many times over, but to do nothing will pull the books out of their hands now and prevent their preparation for a time when they must contribute to the community, prolonging dismal conditions far longer than necessary.