Introduction
As we have learned in this unit, education is an important factor in determining occupation and income, as well as health. The COVID-19 pandemic has created major set backs in education, leading to questions regarding the K-12 system. Research Paper Writing Service: Professional Help in Research Projects for Students – One idea that has gained traction as a result is “funding students, not systems”.
Your Tasks
TASK 1- READ/RESEARCH
Please take a few moments to review the SCHOOL ActLinks to an external site., which was introduced in August 2020. You can also conduct your own search for article commentaries regarding the Act.
TASK 2- ORIGINAL POST
Next, you will need to create your discussion post. Your post must address the following (point values indicated in bold):
What are positive and/or negative outcomes that could result if the SCHOOL Act is passed? (5 points)
Given your research into this topic, do you support the Act or not? Explain. (5 points)
What are other means with which we can lesson educational inequalities? (6 points)
Post must be a minimum of 250 words. (2 points)
Include at least 1 outside reference, cited in APA Paper Writing Service by Expert Writers Pro Paper Help: Essay Writing Service Paper Writing Service by Essay Pro Paper Help: Essay Writing Service format. This reference needs to be cited both in-text and at the end of the post in a reference list. (2 points)
TASK 2- PEER RESPONSE
Respond to at least 2 classmate’s posts. Discuss whether you agree or disagree with their opinion and why. (10 points)
Submission and Grading
Your initial post and 2 peer response posts are due on Sunday, April 16th by 11:59 PM. Please write your post using the text box (in other words, do not post an outside document). This assignment is worth a total of 30 points, and will be graded based on the overall quality of work. The point system is outlined above.
TASK 1: READ/RESEARCH
The SCHOOL Act (Savings and Choices for Our Kids’ Education and Learning) is a proposed federal bill that was introduced in August 2020 by Senator Rand Paul. The Act proposes the creation of Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) programs, which would provide funding to eligible students to attend the public, private, or home school of their choice. The funds could be used for a range of educational expenses, including tuition, textbooks, tutoring, and online learning programs.
Proponents of the SCHOOL Act argue that it would increase educational choice and promote competition, leading to improvements in the quality of education. They argue that students from low-income families or those attending underperforming schools would benefit the most from this program.
Opponents of the SCHOOL Act argue that it would divert public funds away from public schools, which could lead to the closure of schools in low-income areas. They also argue that private schools could use this funding to discriminate against certain students based on race, religion, or disability. Additionally, there are concerns that the program could result in increased segregation and inequality, as families with the means to supplement the EFS funds could afford to send their children to higher-quality private schools, leaving disadvantaged students behind.
TASK 2: ORIGINAL POST
The SCHOOL Act proposes a controversial solution to the issues faced by the K-12 education system in the US. If passed, the act could lead to both positive and negative outcomes.
On the positive side, the SCHOOL Act could provide families with greater educational choice and promote competition among schools, which could lead to improved quality of education. Families who cannot afford private school tuition or cannot move to a better school district could benefit from the funding provided by the Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) program. This could help to reduce educational inequality by giving more students access to high-quality education.
On the negative side, the SCHOOL Act could lead to the closure of public schools in low-income areas, as public schools lose students and funding to private and home schools. This could exacerbate educational inequality by depriving disadvantaged students of access to education. Private schools could use the EFS funding to discriminate against certain students based on race, religion, or disability, which could lead to increased segregation and inequality.
In conclusion, I am not in support of the SCHOOL Act. While the intention of the Act is to promote educational choice and improve the quality of education, it could ultimately exacerbate educational inequality and lead to the closure of public schools in low-income areas. I believe that public funds should be used to support public schools, which should be held accountable for providing high-quality education to all students, regardless of their background.
There are several other means with which we can lesson educational inequalities. Firstly, we can increase funding for public schools in low-income areas to provide equal opportunities for all students. Secondly, we can improve teacher training and provide better resources for schools in disadvantaged areas. Thirdly, we can provide targeted support for struggling students, such as tutoring or mentoring programs. Finally, we can increase access to early childhood education, which has been shown to improve academic outcomes and reduce educational inequalities.
Reference:
Rand Paul. (2020). SCHOOL Act. Retrieved from https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/dr-rand-paul-introduces-school-act-savings-and-choice-our-kids-education-and-learning
