Who said you can’t throw money, at education!

Submitted by Terrence Satterfield 

  

     It has been said, “You can’t throw money, at a social problem (education), and solve it,” but because of money, a person can do anything, “the sky’s the limit” we’ve also heard this rhetoric before. If we were to apply both these notions to each other, then by throwing money into education the sky’s the limit! My solution to the educational problem in American society is not to throw money, but invest money into education. Perhaps we can use the money making system of our prisons as a model to follow and apply that knowledge when investing money into our American education system. Success can be had by all. A financially strong education system will not only produce the successful product of a student but will make money in addition. The investment of equal money levels the playing field in the never ending world series of education.

  The above YouTube video is by John Stossel titled "Stupid in America" part 3 of 3. (Please view it now, if you have not already) It touches on raw problems blocking the success of educating our youth. I attribute the failure of our education system not only to money but also the lack of factoring the social statistic of each of our students “starting out” level as it relates to the money invested in their education. Simply the more money spent on a student’s education; the better the education is that the student receives.

     By investing money into education, the system can follow the structure of a successfully producing company. With particular focus on the “relentless pursuit of success” for our teachers and more importantly the success of students “employed” by the education system.

     By financially investing in the student we would have a need to distinguish the levels of the students, in order to direct a more individual successful product ; which is the equally educated 18 year old citizen. As an invested school, an educator’s job is to teach plus direct a planned path of focus for our students to follow, in order to reach societal success in their career and life.

           If this goal is not met, then the first line of correction should be with the teachers. Teachers should be trained on how to educate and motivate students as well as encourage them to pursue a successful path in life. If the teacher cannot complete these tasks, they should be terminated. Benchmarks, like employee evaluations, are one way to gage improvement. McDonald’s structure and profits are based on a routine; burgers, fries, happy customer; burgers, fries, happy customer. You cannot work and be successful at McDonald's and not be able to produce burgers and fries which are essential for returning customers and profit for the company.

     A question of "where does the money come from" is in need of a solution. I propose to pool the property taxes to foot the bill for the education of each state. Yes, people will object to sharing their tax money with lower income neighborhoods. But my response to this is, we already share the paid taxes for welfare with low income families, even when we individual don’t use or receive the same distribution of that benefit. Unemployment taxes and Social Security taxes also fall into this category. Now join me in a fight to take another step in adding an equal education tax, as well.

     By investing money in education through a business structure, within a 3 year period, the material culture of education would change. The goal of closer parity in our educational systems would be reached. The level of one’s education is the great equalizer. And equal should be the starting point of everyone’s life, here in America.