School Funding

[hunkgolden]

Was reading about the Indiana State Legislature beginning debates about the school funding formula for 2015. What I found interesting is that out of all of the public schools in the state, Carmel Clay Schools receive the least amount of $ per student from the state - $4,813.10. Carmel for as long as I can remember has had the highest test scores in the state and did so again in this past school year.

IPS (the state's largest school system) receives $7058.40 per student. And for as long as I can remember, IPS has routinely scored the lowest in the state.

Not sure how many students Carmel has but I would guess it to be around 12,000. This mean they're approximately receiving $58 million from the state per year. If Carmel were to receive IPS type funding, they would be receiving $85 million per year.

 

[beardownboiler]

That is just state funding . . . not all their money comes from the state.

 

[atmafola]

Originally posted by hunkgolden:
Was reading about the Indiana State Legislature beginning debates about the school funding formula for 2015. What I found interesting is that out of all of the public schools in the state, Carmel Clay Schools receive the least amount of $ per student from the state - $4,813.10. Carmel for as long as I can remember has had the highest test scores in the state and did so again in this past school year.

IPS (the state's largest school system) receives $7058.40 per student. And for as long as I can remember, IPS has routinely scored the lowest in the state.

Not sure how many students Carmel has but I would guess it to be around 12,000. This mean they're approximately receiving $58 million from the state per year. If Carmel were to receive IPS type funding, they would be receiving $85 million per year.

Also, the biggest correlation to educational attainment are parents educational levels and socioeconomic status.

All other things being equal. Children of educated, well to do parents, on average will always do better than those from poorer backgrounds. It will take lots more than equal funding to overcome that in-built disadvantage.

 

[ecouch]

Hunk is one of our well known race baiters. You can't really upon him to understand such concepts.

 

[GMM]

Also, the biggest correlation to educational attainment are parents educational levels and socioeconomic status.

Its true that parents' educational and economic status is correlated to what their children will achieve but one major factor is unmentionable: genetics.

People who are well to do have on average higher IQ's. People who are well-educated have on average higher IQ's. Genes play a role in the IQ of everybody. Children inherit their genes from their parents. Therefore, the genes of above average IQ parents are on average passed down to their children.

But that's probably not what you meant. Instead you meant to emphasize nurture, not nature. Am I right?

It will take lots more than equal funding to overcome that in-built disadvantage.

That's what I thought. This is one of the lies we're all supposed to agree upon. If only we gave every child equal funding/resources then we'd all turn out smart, educated, and well to do. The reason we're supposed to believe this is because acknowledging that genes play a role means that some things are beyond our control. Too many people simply cannot accept this. Its just way, way, way too important to believe that we can help to Narrow The Gap. Its within our grasp!

Taking this away from people removes what they believe is their chance at redemption, their ability to be seen as Good by others, their shot at relieving their own sense of guilt (for being successful themselves), etc. So, we will only allow discussion of nurture. Again, acknowledging that nature plays a role inches oh so close to heresy. Hence, more school funding!

As if we haven't been spending more and more on education for decades.

 

[LUV4PU]

You mean if we can only give teachers a big pay raise, our kids will be a whole lot smarter?

 

[hunkgolden]

Originally posted by ecouch:
Hunk is one of our well known race baiters. You can't really upon him to understand such concepts.

Ummm...the point of my post was to question those who say the answer to low test scores is to hire more teachers or pay them more. Not sure how anyone could take the facts I provided from the Indy Star as racist. I didn't even mention race...no does the article I referenced. Perhaps it's because you look for racism in areas where it doesn't exist? Too bad.

Just remember these stats the next time a teacher/school administrator tries to convince you that if they need more money to help their students care more about education.