It is not new that some schools have more advantages than other schools. As mentioned last week, some schools have two sets of textbooks while others do not have any. Sometimes, schools get these advantages due to private donations, especially from parents. These donations have gotten new teachers, helped save special programs, and even had air conditioning installed in some schools. In Kozol's book, "The Same of the Nation," he even explains that these private donations give huge advantages to the schools that are receiving them. Many people believe this to be unfair to those schools whose parents cannot afford to give private donations. The schools that truly need the donations are the schools that are not getting the money that they need to give a proper education to their students. In a recent article from The New York Times called "Schools' Deep-Pocketed Parents," it discussed this issue of schools receiving private donations. One solution they found was that donations that were received went to the whole district as opposed to one specific school. I think this is the right way to address this issue. Parents, especially those that can afford it, are never going to stop giving donations to the schools that their children attend. If their donations are spread out among all of the schools this can encourage more people to donate and make it more fair. Now, you might be thinking, "Well what about the areas were poverty exists and how does this help them?" Well, the article gives an example of an area where poverty was high and they were still able to raise money for their schools.
The following is the link to the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/03Rschool.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=education&adxnnlx=1190425946-853RFyxSIqxt64x6v2YVdA
4 comments:
Aha! Hadn't thought of that solution--give money to the entire district. But do you really think rich folks will go for that? I doubt that it'll last long...call me cynical
I think that spreading the donations throughout a school district is actually a good idea, if not a little unrealistic. Parents, when giving donations will undoubtedly want those benefits to go to the school of their choice, the one their child attends. So while some may still be willing to give donations, many will choose to either not give, or find away around the system. Then we run into the problem of how to distribute the donations. Is it equal distribution among all schools, do those that are in the most need receive a greater portion, or does the school that the parent wants to receive the money get more of it because their child is in it. I completely agree with you that if the system worked, it would be great for all, particularly those in need. Obviously it does work, when done right, but I would expect it is likely to find many wealthy donators that may not agree, and since they control the money, therein the problem lies.
I never really thought of donations within the public schooling system. Normally, when I think of such a thought it reminds of parents who "buy their childs acceptance" to certain prestigious universities by donating enough money for a new gym or residental hall. I don't think that donations would work within the public schooling system nor do I think parents would donate and if they did they would want it to benefit their children not those people who they have no kinship to.
I think your idea of donating money to the school district rather than the school is a great idea. However, I do believe the rich parents donating the money will then be less inclined to give it, if they know their money is not going directly to their child's education. Parents want what's best for their child, not what's best for every child. If this were the case, rich parents would be donating to schools all over the country, but unfortunately it is not. I think schools need to learn to fundraise. Children can learn to raise the money for their own education. Although I do not think children are born as tabula rasa, blank slate, I do believe they are born with a certain blank piece which could be molded. If children learn from a young age to work for their education, then they will. This is just a thought and just an alternative suggestion.
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