When Education Matters

Nearly all parents are glad that a new school year has begun.  Most have been looking forward to the new school year since the end of the last one.  There are a number of reasons for such excitement including the amount of money spent over the summer, keeping their children safe, additional day care costs, finding a job for the teenager, being the chauffeur to and from youth activities and worried about the amount of time their children are left at home along.   

Since the founding of America, education continues to be a key cornerstone in our society that crosses every culture and ethnic group.  The education systems of our nation include both public and private schools on secondary and post-secondary levels.  A year does not go by in which every secondary school system in America goes through some kind of review process by educators, administrators, parents, advocates, elected board and general public.  The primary focus of the process is to ensure that schools operate efficiently, within budget and teachers provide grade level instruction that is age appropriate and that also meet local and national educational standards.  

One of the real challenges of education today is its rising cost and how to keep it affordable in the future.  The primary funding for all public schools comes from the state and local property taxes.  And because of this reality, funding for each school varies from district-to-district, city-to-city and state-to-state.  In contrast, urban school districts struggle each year to provide a high level of academic support for students due to a lower tax base that come from lower property values.  It’s not the same with suburban schools that are able to provide more simply because of more funding that comes from a higher property tax base.  Because of this glaring gap in funding, urban schools are unable to be on the same level as those schools in suburbia. How to close this gap still stirs much debate. 

It is indeed a challenging time for parents with the start of school, but there are also some great expectations and opportunities.  Besides buying some new clothes, medical exams, vaccinations, a book bag, supplies; there is also a need for children to read, learn math and understand science on grade level.  Additionally, there is a need for all parents to become more active and involved in the education of their children.  Of course there is a need for some faith that the upcoming school year will be a great one, safe and that the school selected will be a good fit.  Like it or not, good or bad, a new school year is upon us.  So the question is... “Are we ready for this school year and what can we do to make if even better?”  What do you think?             

Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@gmail.com, and Facebook.   You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-688-4964.