As a former teacher, I'd say it would include at least a few things...
1. When it's funded as fully as the military, that would be a good sign (and probably a great thing for our national defense, as well) 2. When teachers don't have to spend a bunch of their own money for basic school supplies... 3. When the teacher:student ratio is lower than 20:1 (I know the national average is 16:1 but that's taking into consideration a lot of special arrangements, special needs classrooms, etc. Most typical classes in Jefferson Co (my district) have closer to 25-30 students in each room with one teacher. That's oftentimes too many 4. When special education students have sufficient support to be mainstreamed most of the time 5. When each teacher has an assistant in the classroom 6. When the buildings are not run down/dangerous 7. When there is sufficient money for safe transportation 8. When ESL classes and support are operating everywhere they need to be 9. When homeless students receive sufficient support 10. When there are food programs available so that no student starts the day or ends the day hungry...
For starters. I don't know a specific number (of course, such does not exist), but we're not there, I know that. Nowhere close.
I’m so shocked to see an actual answer, I’m not sure what to say, except that it’s essentially saying that “fully funded” is something that’s virtually impossible to achieve. Even if all these things were done, you’d just add more.
It's important to note that some of the points Dan lists are not truly the responsibility of the school, the district or the community that is expected to fully fund the schools.
I agree. I'll also note that Dan's list is constructed inn such a way as to be a virtual blank check. The fact that he's into multi billions "for starters" is a good indication of that. I'm assuming that he's looking for the feds to fund this by increasing both the deficit and the national debt, after raising taxes on the "rich" to confiscatory rates. But I could be wrong, maybe he's content with raising property taxes to the point that everyone except the "rich" will be unable to afford home ownership.
The one thing he's likely not suggesting is anything that would limit the control of the teachers unions and the government over schools.
5 comments:
As a former teacher, I'd say it would include at least a few things...
1. When it's funded as fully as the military, that would be a good sign (and probably a great thing for our national defense, as well)
2. When teachers don't have to spend a bunch of their own money for basic school supplies...
3. When the teacher:student ratio is lower than 20:1 (I know the national average is 16:1 but that's taking into consideration a lot of special arrangements, special needs classrooms, etc. Most typical classes in Jefferson Co (my district) have closer to 25-30 students in each room with one teacher. That's oftentimes too many
4. When special education students have sufficient support to be mainstreamed most of the time
5. When each teacher has an assistant in the classroom
6. When the buildings are not run down/dangerous
7. When there is sufficient money for safe transportation
8. When ESL classes and support are operating everywhere they need to be
9. When homeless students receive sufficient support
10. When there are food programs available so that no student starts the day or ends the day hungry...
For starters. I don't know a specific number (of course, such does not exist), but we're not there, I know that. Nowhere close.
I’m so shocked to see an actual answer, I’m not sure what to say, except that it’s essentially saying that “fully funded” is something that’s virtually impossible to achieve. Even if all these things were done, you’d just add more.
But answers are so rare, I’ll take it.
It's important to note that some of the points Dan lists are not truly the responsibility of the school, the district or the community that is expected to fully fund the schools.
Art,
I agree. I'll also note that Dan's list is constructed inn such a way as to be a virtual blank check. The fact that he's into multi billions "for starters" is a good indication of that. I'm assuming that he's looking for the feds to fund this by increasing both the deficit and the national debt, after raising taxes on the "rich" to confiscatory rates. But I could be wrong, maybe he's content with raising property taxes to the point that everyone except the "rich" will be unable to afford home ownership.
The one thing he's likely not suggesting is anything that would limit the control of the teachers unions and the government over schools.
Indeed.
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