In March of 2006, Daniel Pink published a book titled A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future that discussed the importance of fine arts education in schools. Senate Bill 3 had lawmakers confused as to why the arts programs were to be stripped from the curriculum and left it up to the students to waste their electives on any fine arts course.
This bill was actually one of the biggest school reform rewrites since No Child Left Behind. While there is a slight concern for how this change will effect the students, there are other concerns about how to fund this bill. With her Sentate Bill 982, Senator Leticia Van de Putte has suggested reinstating "Robin Hood", limiting recapture to districts wealthier than AISD. Colleges are suffering from a similar complaint: high admission costs and restrictions. Senator Judith Zaffirini proposed Senate Bill 1443 limiting tuition increases in universities by 5% a year; the bill was unanimously approved by the senate. This bill is now en route to the House, where it will meet Senate Bill 175, which caps admissions under the top 10% at 50% for incoming freshman.
Education is probably one of the biggest subjects I hear tossed around when it comes to debates about government funding. I subscribe to the school of thought that, when it comes to college especially, the rich man and the poor man can attend but the middle-class man has to practically sell his soul. Legislators seem to be taking steps to even this predicament out but, as the author of this article states, it could become a "decades long financial commitment".
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In response to Ramblings of an Austinite’s blog on School funding I have to start by saying that I don’t believe there’s much about public schools that doesn’t confuse Texas lawmakers. Half the time it’s a process of the right hand not know what the left hand is doing (incidental pun). But, I digress, I have to agree with the comment in the article “that this [Senate Bill 3] is a backdoor attack on poorer districts that will slash nonessential programs “. Whenever it comes to cutting budgets in schools the first heads on the chopping block belong to the arts. If this does go through it will be another case of dividing the children of Texas into the haves and the have-nots. The last thing children in these circumstances need is to be told that they do not merit having an opportunity to study art because of where they live or who they are.
ReplyDeleteThere’s always talk about funding, funding and more funding. As it stands are schools are basically funded by smokers, gamblers and sales taxes. It’s time these law makers stopped depending on sales taxes to keep this state afloat. It’s not working, unless of course you fall in the “I make over $150,000 a year” bracket. I think a state income tax would be a healthy step in the right direction. The entire system needs to be reformed, let’s face it. But, I can see both sides of the isle on issues of taxing. Yes, people do need to be more responsible for their families and their families well being. But, you can’t do that if percentage wise you pay more taxes than the CEO of “Big Oil”.
I have to believe that there is a real solution to this education crisis, my kids are in the system and I bust my backside every day making sure that I pick up where public education leaves off. It all comes down to personal responsibility but not just in taking care of your house but in paying your fair share of taxes to make sure all the children in this state receive the education they rightfully deserve.
Art and Class
ReplyDeleteIt seems like everyone in Texas is talking about school funding right now and my colleague Adrienne probably won't be the last. I don't agree with with her comment "the rich man and the poor man can attend[,] but the middle-class man has to practically sell his soul." Although, I was intrigued by her mention about the stripping of Fine Arts from the schools; I wish she would have discussed her views on this more thoroughly.
Senate bill 3 , is also known as the School Accountability Bill. This bill will be cutting out the Fine Arts requirement. The option for Fine Arts will still exist, but for how long? If Fine Arts are not required will students still take these classes? If not enough students register for Fine Arts as their electives, these programs could be cut. Fine Arts are especially necessary in low-income areas. They provide a relief and outlet for youth and teens that is an alternative to drugs, alcohol, and street life. Grounded in Music is an example of a non-profit working to bring the arts to the underprivileged as a alternative to more destructive behavior.
As far as the rich, poor and middle-class man is concerned, all are able to attend college. The poor will still have to struggle regardless. The poor man does not have the culture or upbringing that the middle-class and rich-man has. The skills that can get the middle-class and rich-man a decent job, the poor man will lack, unless he or she crosses the class lines. A poor man or woman may be raised in a home sharing a single room with his or her entire family. A poor man or woman may have been raised without access to health care, or proper nutrition. A poor man or woman may have been raised with more adversity that cannot be made up simply in College funds. The poor man or woman has to work while going to college and has no parent to support them. The middle class and rich man and woman usually do. The only shame is that not all students have parents willing to support them - regardless of class. In order to attain a degree, all students of all classes must eventually work hard for themselves in order to succeed.