Schools and School Finance!

I’m sure you have heard of the book Three Cups of Tea and the scandal resulting from building these beautiful schools in Afghanistan that are not being used. The point has been made to stop building these physical structures to educate our children or other children in the world! “Nice school buildings” are not a necessity and generally, have little bearing on educational outcomes. Classes can take place in a snazzy school, a private home, a yurt or a house of worship.

I taught school many years ago when they were starting the “Head-start program” and what did we get at our school to help us with these transient children who did not have the benefits of most children? Colored paper, laminating machines, poster board??!!! Use such money to pay good teachers and you will get much better results.

It does pain me being an ex-teacher to see the State and local governments reducing the income of teachers. Yes, some teachers should leave but why should they leave when they love their jobs but can’t make a living. A woman has to be joined with a husband’s income in order to survive on a teacher’s salary. Pay teachers who love their jobs more money and you will have excellent students wanting to learn. That’s my opinion anyway!