I cannot stand the fully funded school argument. Politicians love to campaign on the idea that the schools should be fully funded. What does this even mean? If what this slogan means is that no child goes without lunch or teachers don't have to use personal money to buy glue and pencils, then I agree. But if what this means is the taxpayer gets to throw more money at our broken education system that will keep giving us the same poor results than I think a funding cut is in order.
Inflation adjusted spending has more than doubled on a per student basis. In many districts it has tripled. Programs have expanded and budgets have exploded. Right here in Kansas we spend on average $20,000.00 per student. Using an inflation adjusted number the amount spent has doubled since the 1970's. Are our kids twice as smart as those in the 70's? Are our kids twice as prepared to lead the world? Do our kids have twice the skills as those in the 70's?
According to kansasopengov.org/district-snapshot/holton-336/ we spend $22,560.00 per student, which is above the national average. In 2005 that number was $11, 687.00 per student. This is a 93% increase in money spent per pupil. Over that same period enrollment is down 8% and the number of “Managers” is up 74.5%
The current number of students at Holton Highschool who have reach proficiency in math 37%. The proficiency in reading is 42%. Let’s take a deeper look overtime. According to the NCLB era standards from 2006-2014 Holton was considered a high preforming rural school district. Math proficiency ranged from 70-80%. New standards were implemented to make our students more college ready in 2015. Our proficiency was 2015- 27%, 2016 30%, 2017 31%, 2018 31%, 2019 29%, 2020- covid, 2021 23% and 2022 was 25%. If these new standards are there to prepare our students for a higher level of education, how do you feel that only 1/3 are reaching that standard?
When we say we want to fully fund our schools, should we be allowed to have any expectations of success? Just saying spend more money doesn’t equal success for our students.
Nationwide the story is even worse. SAT scores today are lower than they were decades ago. Even after multiple attempts to “recenter” the standards. Reading and math proficiency remain flat or declining. Functional literacy issues are rising. Employers increasingly say graduates aren’t prepared. U.S. math performance has been flat or declining since 2000. 2022 math results were among the lowest ever measured for the U.S. This isn’t a Holton issue or even a Kansas issue.
Our education system continues to underperform because it lacks the proper incentives. The incentives are completely backwards. When students fail, funding increases. We have no real competition. Our schools are no longer accountable to anyone, parents least of all. If your school fails your child, you have no recourse and no choice but to keep funding the same system.
Why do you suppose that homeschools, coops, private schools consistently outperform the public schools? It’s simple, there is competition and incentive. If they fail, none will attend. If they succeed there is a waiting list to attend.
Money alone will never fix our education system. Incentives alone would. Imagine if the parents got to decide where the tax dollars were spent. Imagine walking into all three of our schools here in Jackson County and being able to ask the question “why should I take my child to this school?”. Imagine a system that forces the schools to compete for the students.
If we make real school choice happen here in Kansas and around the country, real change will come. Our kids would get good quality food, personalized education, and a school that constantly adapts to providing real results.
If you want critical race theory or LGBTQ taught to your child, then you get to vote with your dollar. If you want the bible or the constitution taught, then you get to vote with your dollar.
Parents win through competition. Teachers win because they are allowed to compete. Schools win because just like the teachers the cream rises to the top. Most importantly the student wins because they are no longer subject to the happy middle. They win because competition creates customized learning. They win because they eat heathier. They win because they are best prepared for the next chapter in their lives.
Most of us just keep waiting for the system to fix itself. We keep thinking that we can just vote a little harder. The fix is systematic change and the best place to start is our kids.
Inflation adjusted spending has more than doubled on a per student basis. In many districts it has tripled. Programs have expanded and budgets have exploded. Right here in Kansas we spend on average $20,000.00 per student. Using an inflation adjusted number the amount spent has doubled since the 1970's. Are our kids twice as smart as those in the 70's? Are our kids twice as prepared to lead the world? Do our kids have twice the skills as those in the 70's?
According to kansasopengov.org/district-snapshot/holton-336/ we spend $22,560.00 per student, which is above the national average. In 2005 that number was $11, 687.00 per student. This is a 93% increase in money spent per pupil. Over that same period enrollment is down 8% and the number of “Managers” is up 74.5%
The current number of students at Holton Highschool who have reach proficiency in math 37%. The proficiency in reading is 42%. Let’s take a deeper look overtime. According to the NCLB era standards from 2006-2014 Holton was considered a high preforming rural school district. Math proficiency ranged from 70-80%. New standards were implemented to make our students more college ready in 2015. Our proficiency was 2015- 27%, 2016 30%, 2017 31%, 2018 31%, 2019 29%, 2020- covid, 2021 23% and 2022 was 25%. If these new standards are there to prepare our students for a higher level of education, how do you feel that only 1/3 are reaching that standard?
When we say we want to fully fund our schools, should we be allowed to have any expectations of success? Just saying spend more money doesn’t equal success for our students.
Nationwide the story is even worse. SAT scores today are lower than they were decades ago. Even after multiple attempts to “recenter” the standards. Reading and math proficiency remain flat or declining. Functional literacy issues are rising. Employers increasingly say graduates aren’t prepared. U.S. math performance has been flat or declining since 2000. 2022 math results were among the lowest ever measured for the U.S. This isn’t a Holton issue or even a Kansas issue.
Our education system continues to underperform because it lacks the proper incentives. The incentives are completely backwards. When students fail, funding increases. We have no real competition. Our schools are no longer accountable to anyone, parents least of all. If your school fails your child, you have no recourse and no choice but to keep funding the same system.
Why do you suppose that homeschools, coops, private schools consistently outperform the public schools? It’s simple, there is competition and incentive. If they fail, none will attend. If they succeed there is a waiting list to attend.
Money alone will never fix our education system. Incentives alone would. Imagine if the parents got to decide where the tax dollars were spent. Imagine walking into all three of our schools here in Jackson County and being able to ask the question “why should I take my child to this school?”. Imagine a system that forces the schools to compete for the students.
If we make real school choice happen here in Kansas and around the country, real change will come. Our kids would get good quality food, personalized education, and a school that constantly adapts to providing real results.
If you want critical race theory or LGBTQ taught to your child, then you get to vote with your dollar. If you want the bible or the constitution taught, then you get to vote with your dollar.
Parents win through competition. Teachers win because they are allowed to compete. Schools win because just like the teachers the cream rises to the top. Most importantly the student wins because they are no longer subject to the happy middle. They win because competition creates customized learning. They win because they eat heathier. They win because they are best prepared for the next chapter in their lives.
Most of us just keep waiting for the system to fix itself. We keep thinking that we can just vote a little harder. The fix is systematic change and the best place to start is our kids.
