What is the nature of schooling in our society?

"There was a proposition in a township there to discontinue public schools because they were too expensive. An old farmer spoke up and said if they stopped the schools they would not save anything, because every time a school was closed a jail had to be built. It's like feeding a dog on his own tail. He'll never get fat. I believe it is better to support schools than jails." - Mark Twain

Substantive question #1 Political

If we are one nation, educating our nation’s youth to participate in a global community, why is the bulk of funding education the responsibility of the states and not the federal government?

* Why is there a failure of the Federal Government to adequately invest in educational research and development?
* Why is more money allocated by the federal government to the following rather then education?
Incarceration
International assistance ( including economic development, child health and military financing)
Diplomatic activities
Operations of embassies
Contributions to international organizations

Facts about Funding



Substantive question # 2 Economical

Economics is a major factor in effective schooling, how do we make the best use of allocated funds to create efficient schools with successful results?

* With the increase in cost of natural resources why don’t we try to promote environmentally conservative green schools?

* How can soliciting bids for services benefit our schools when companies work for profit? If schools move toward solicitation, what would be the implications on our schools?
Information on Green Schools


Substantive question #3 Social

In the United States we pride ourselves on freedom and equality; does the US educational system truly incorporate these values in the administering of education and schooling?

* The growing popularity of School choice is a solution to help rescue students from failing schools. As Americans we believe in the right to control our own destiny, does administering vouchers for school choice even the playing field for equality in education? Or does it widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots?
* Issues of school reform have become more prevalent since the late twentieth century. Is it possible that a complete overhaul of the education system as we know it, to a more centralized system with technology-orientated reform will better prepare our students for the workforce of the future?

Information on School Reform