Zack Newland
English 2
Instructor Knapp
October 7 2012
Education Gone Missing?
The
future prosperity of any society is based on the success of its younger
generations and their abilities to acquire the necessary knowledge and tools to
ready them for the coming problems and difficulties that the society will
face. If the youth of our day and age are going to be our future and they
are unprepared for the tasks that are presented to them, then how are we, as a
whole, going to be able to progress through such tasks and ultimately survive?
In order for our youth to be able to take on such challenges and be capable of
working the future jobs and positions that we will need them to fill, they must
first have the proper training and education. This, however, is becoming
increasingly difficult due to the critical nature of our economy and its
fragile structure.
California was once a dominating state
candidate on the educational standings of our nation, but over the past years
this has changed quite drastically and what was once the great Golden State in
the top 10 position of education has declined and now rests in the bottom 10%.
A steep fall which is very strange given California’s very prosperous past in
many areas, one in particular being the major bloom in Silicon Valley. It would
seem that this bloom would carry a healthy nature for those around it and thus
feed for more growth with such a bright generation, but there is one main
factor that manifests all growth in this world and that is the monetary factor
that is key to all capabilities. Every system is run with and through the
possession of money, which enables any such system access to its required
needs. Because of California’s fragile economy, there have been constant budget
cuts in the area where we need it most, and that area is our school system. It
is clear that an education is necessary for the growth of our nation, yet these
budget cuts are taking about $6 billion away from what is already a dwindling
system. The loss of revenue is causing the loss of teachers while the student
body is constantly increasing alongside the price of education. The only thing
that sheds light on this diminishing system is the contents of Prop 30 and what
it can do to aid our schools and ultimately younger generation if it passes.
According to Governor Jerry Brown's
advocated Proposition 30 ballot, if passed it will issue
a temporary increase on sales tax from 9.25% to 9.50% for four years and income
tax between 1-3% for those who make over $250,000 annually for seven years. The
money earned from these tax increases will generate around $6 billion which is
intended to go to funding for our school system, most of which to K-12 schools.
This goes together with the dissolution of Prop 38 in which, "The
estimated $6 billion in added revenue would be deposited into a special account
dedicated to education and early childhood programs; formula for distribution
to local schools would be based on enrollment" (Rocklin.K12). With this increased
funding going towards education, it will negate the $5.5 billion trigger cuts
that were to be issued on Jan 1st 2013 if Prop 30 does not pass due
to the ~$6 billion gap that will be present. They will also help rescind CSU’s
tuition hike that was put into effect earlier this year thus enabling a larger
student body and faculty. All of this money coming into the schools will make
acquiring an education easier than it is now with less stress on the need for
money to pay for classes and materials, and less faculty being cut meaning more
classes for more students.
I am able to see first hand what Prop 30 can
and will do if passed because I myself am an aspiring student currently
enrolled in college. It is difficult enough to try to get the classes that I
need each semester and then furthermore paying for books and units for each
class is constantly rising making it harder and harder. With classes dwindling
and the student body increasing in size, taking more money out of education is
going to make it much more challenging, not just for me but also for all my
fellow peers and any students attempting to get an education. An education
means a future in this day and age and if everyone is going after one with
limiting opportunities it will discourage students to give up because it will
seem like an impossible feat when an education should be a right rather than a
privilege. The need for teachers and classes is dire and we can’t afford to
continue cutting departments because the end result will cost more in the
bigger picture.
Proposition 30 will not only fund schools but it will also fund California’s
public services, divvying money into other necessary areas with realignment
funding going towards programs like substance abuse rehabilitation, law
enforcement, and prisons. The desired outcome is to see an increase in public
safety by guaranteeing jobs for those who have earned a second chance and
focusing attention in departments that protect the community. Now this may not
have anything to do with education reform but it is entitled change that is
granted along with school funding from Prop 30.
Now
the opposition may be against certain areas that are getting the extra funding,
particularly prisons due to the fact that inmates seem to get more than they
would if they weren’t actually in prison. Things like new beds, meals, and
programs are provided to them every day and the majority of voters don’t agree
with these privileges and want to see the money elsewhere. The other half of
the opposition is against Prop 30 mainly due to the increase in income taxes
that they would face because of their high income. But the truth is that if
they’re making enough to be taxed three quarters of a percent more due to their
higher income than the average citizen, then why not help the economy that is
trying to keep them running? The cost of paying the taxes and not funding
education is much less now than our future failing economy will come to be.
They can either pay a little more now, or inevitably see the fall of their
business in the future due to lack of workers with required training and
education. It is a small price to pay in order to keep their jobs or businesses
afloat in the long run.
As economy drifts, and funds are relocated we need to take the time and rethink
where these funds should be going and how we are going to acquire them. In
order for a prosperous future and growth of a younger generation we need to
reapply the importance of education in our society and make it easier for
students to be able to achieve the education that they need and desire. The
first step to take initiative and start reform is to vote yes on Prop 30.
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