“State School Funding
Lower Than in ‘08”
In 2008
America was in the midst of a recession that would go on for the next few
years. Many businesses were floundering, including real estate, local
businesses, restaurants, and the public school system. The funding for schools
was minimal because in Pennsylvania the funding comes from taxes. In fact,
according to the 2010 census, 44 percent of school revenue comes from property
taxes; the national average being 28 percent.
Today, in The Philadelphia Inquirer, I read an
article about school funding. It is lower now than it was in the midst of the
recession in 2008. Per student, the state of Pennsylvania is spending $192 less
than in 2008. In 2011, Pennsylvania’s average state funding share fell to 34
percent while New Jersey’s raised to 37 percent; with those figures, PA is the
tenth lowest in the nation. The article offered no proposals to solution nor
did it mention a solution would soon become available.
The article caught my attention because
West Chester is a public school and is being directly affected by this lack of
funding. The lack of funding means schools all over PA do not get to enjoy the
little things like printers in the classroom, unlimited copies in the library,
and pencils to borrow from the teacher. I know often times teachers would have
to supply their own pencils, scissors, markers and other school supplies to the
students if the teacher chose to have those things in the classroom. The lack
of funding makes those things more appreciated because if the state cannot fund
for students to print in the library, teachers cannot provide a printer and
paper, so the students suffer. Overall, the story interested me greatly and I
hope there is something that can be done to eventually increase the funding to
public schools so that we, as students, can continue to learn in an environment
conducive to learning.
Main article: http://philly.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
Other information: http://www.pasbo.org/StatusReportWinter2011FINALVERSION.pdf
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