Education: Why do we keep throwing good money after bad?

I had a quick exchange with someone yesterday regarding education. They had stated that it is tragic that all these teachers in multiple states are being laid off. She mentioned California and a handful of states, including New Jersey. I shared with her the background on what was happening in New Jersey, and she thanked me for the information and mentioned that it was nice to have the other side of the story so you get a full picture. It was a pleasant exchange compared to some others I have had, particularly on a topic that is considered the Holy Grail, Education.

So, where am I heading with all this?

Several people are up in arms and screaming about cuts being made in education. Well, let us look at it like this. When times get tough for you financially you cut back on your expenses, right? Even if it is something that you really enjoy, you make the cut. I have hit hard enough times where I had to sell new game systems we’d had for only a handful of months. At one point we sold our extra car and made the necessary sacrifices to be a one car family. They are things that weren’t necessarily popular with either me or my wife, but we did it because it had to be done. It’s the same case with education. The money is not there, states have to cut the money. I know the last thing they would want to cut is education. You do however need to make cuts when necessary. It’s the responsible thing to do.

I know people are going to argue back and say, you can just raise taxes. Uh huh, that’s working out really well for New York and New Jersey, along with California. People are fleeing New York and California to escape the higher taxes; therefore you are going to lose even more revenue. In New Jersey, they elected a governor who promised to cut their high tax rates. Even a campaign stop from Obama and pressure from the unions in New Jersey couldn’t salvage the incumbent democrat.

I previously mentioned discussing the situation in New Jersey with someone. They need to cut $819 million from the school budgets. The Governor proposed that the teachers take a 1 YEAR pay freeze and pay 1.5% of their salaries towards benefits. At this time they pay nothing towards their benefits. This would save the state $800 million. So, that would mean no teachers laid off and no programs cut. A large number of the teachers are willing to do this, but the union isn’t having it. They are refusing and would rather see their members, whom they are supposed to represent, be laid off then cooperate with the Governor. In fact, one of the unions local presidents “jokingly” prayed for the death of the Governor in an email sent out to union members. Is that the kind of third grade discourse we have come to?

The union would rather have the Governor raise taxes. Hello, he was elected because the people recognized they are overtaxed and he promised to cut taxes and spending. Throwing good money after bad, particularly in education has never worked. In 1965 we spent $12 billion dollars in federal funds on education. In the 2011 budget we are set to spend $94 billion. Here’s the clincher. Between 1973 and 2008, achievement scores in math went up just two points, and reading scores just one point. If I was an investor, which we are when it comes to our children’s education, I would have serious issues with the return on investment here. All of the stats above are courtesy of the U.S. Department of Education.

We need to make several reforms to fix this, some of them I have mentioned previously, some I have not. I feel a comprehensive post on those ideas coming soon. Please take part in the education of your children. Remember that WE are responsible for teaching our children. The teachers are there to assist us, not the other way around. Be involved in the school boards, and take a good hard common sense approach to fix the issues in your own community. The future of our children and our nation depend on it.

Remember, keep yourself informed and don’t be afraid to speak out.