The Kohlmans

"There has recently been a national furor about school reform. One must wonder how it is possible to talk of improving schools while cutting funding, demoralizing teachers, cutting scholarships to college, and increasing class sizes." It just doesn't make sense - at least to me. I think that this article on CNN.com presents the viewpoint of teachers very well.Ravitch's book is now on my "to-read" list.

I always cringe when I see people do research about school funding in Kansas and take the total amount spent on schools and divide it by the number of students. The number seems great, anywhere from $11,000-$15,000 a kid. That would be fantastic. But it's a deceiving number. Disclaimer: I am no expert in school funding. It is incredibly complicated. This is just what I have pieced together. For a more complete picture, contact your local superintendent (right, Darrel?!).  The average Kansas general education student is "funded" with $4,012. (In Governor Brownback's budget proposal, that number dips down to $3,780 for next year.) Then, there a lots and lots of weightings for things like at-risk students, special education, free and reduced lunch students, etc... Money that goes into specific funds (capital outlay, technology, etc...) usually has to be spent for that specific purpose. Some of the money included in the total spent on education in Kansas goes to ...

I think we can agree that our future lies in our children. I think we can all agree that it's important to invest in our future. Sometimes reality hits hard.  Once again, our children are facing more cuts to their education. (No, I'm not being redundant. They are again facing more cuts.) You can read more about it here , here , and here ... here too.... I don't have kids of my own, but this crap wouldn't cut it if I did. I hope that all parents feel the same way.  It's hard not to stress or worry or feel angry about how I could be right back in the same situation I faced last year . My job this year has been difficult, but it's certainly far better than not teaching. It's certainly better than unemployment. But in the end, it's not just about my job. It's about how, by cutting the amount of money that goes to the classroom, we are cheating kids. They only get one shot at sixth grade. Shouldn't we give them the best we possibly can? ...