More on funding the public schools. Lately, I've been having debates on this topic with conservative and libertarian friends and family members. The current argument seems to be that more money isn't the answer. Even a friend of more liberal leanings insists that the public school system is "broken". Conservative think tanks point out that per pupil spending has doubled over the past three decades and that student achievement has remained relatively flat. But, while student spending has gone up, so have expectations and standards. We no longer expect that only the top students should graduate and go to college, although that is certainly a cheaper way to go. Our school districts today spend more money on special education, early childhood education, nutrition and transportation than ever before.
Well, the truth is that money cannot solve all of our problems. It cannot buy the high parent expectations and involvement that help children succeed. It cannot buy stability for families in crisis, and our diminishing social safety net makes these matters worse. But there are areas where increased funding can help. Quality preschool programs do help inner-city and disadvantaged children succeed. Full day kindergarden gives these children an additional boost. Smaller class sizes, professional development for teachers and incentives to attract quality teachers are all things that money can buy and that have been proven to make a difference. These are things that affluent school districts spend money on and it is even more important that an urban district like Lowell target these areas.
