Money also matters [How CA's landmark law to reduce class size was a disaster for poor students]

Salon ^ | Feb 20, 2002 | Anthony York

[JoeFromCA]

You're absolutely right that the richest neighborhoods in CA don't get most of the money. I live in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in CA, and our local public school gets less money than most other school districts, because of the way the $ are allocated. And because of Gray Davis' budget shortages, that won't change.

Vote for Simon.

[summer]

I have taught in classes with more than 35 students, and as few as 15. Smaller classes are better. But, I do not agree with you that everything else should be tossed out the window in favor of small classes, nor do I think smaller classes work to the benefit of poor students if they have a bad teacher. So, while your experience has been good, and though I certainly do prefer a smaller classes for a multitude of reasons, there are additional considerations.

[IncredibleHulk]

Tell me what parts are inaccurate. The parts of the article you quoted are the same for all school districts, rich or poor, except for the part about new facilities. New facilities are generally more expensive in more expensive areas due to property values so here again, poor schools have an advantage. They just simple can't utilize their advantages because there is never enough for the freeloaders. Put up a fence, throw the food and textbooks over the fence and give a graduation exam once a year. Those that pass get out.

[summer]

Put up a fence, throw the food and textbooks over the fence and give a graduation exam once a year. Those that pass get out.

This part is inaccurate. They don't need your permission to get out. They will leave long before that.

[VOA]

The real problem with poor schools is that they spend much more money on repair/replacement
of vandalized and stolen property, police patrols on campus, expensive but useless
teachers because they're the only ones willing to go in there and that's the only
jobs they can get and administrators that are on their way to a good job.

From my five years in CA (West Los Angeles), I'd say you've summed up the situation
pretty well.
And I learned a bit from having passed the tests for the program that LAUSD has
to take non-credentialed persons onboard and let them teach and make up requirements
over two years to get credentialed.
(I decided to not go forward...I'm just not left enough to go with the LAUSD culture.)

I got some "observations hours" at a good high school on the west side of Los Angeles.
The teacher in the class told me that the "poorer" schools often have MUCH better
equipment say for chemistry classes because the funding scheme actually favors
"poorer" schools.
Now, I don't know all the financial details...but that's what an LAUSD teacher told me.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 

Oct. 4, 2002 Governor's teacher-pay plan would bypass unions, boards Bush says he'd pursue state-mandated minimums if he's re-elected Nov. 5. Audio: Philosophical about-face Bush would seek to kill class-size amendment Governor cites his own 'devious plans' to squash unfunded proposal if it passes - and he is re-elected. Audio: Strategy talk

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Gov. Bush has chosen to fight the lies about the "class-size" amendment. Please help him by e-mailing your local press re. the "class-size" fraud and help counter the massive campaigns of the (out of state!) PFAW, NAACP, and the teacher's unions.

Voters favor class-size plan -- but not cost, Sept. 29, Miami Herald. Voters overwhelmingly support the "class-size" amendment until they hear the cost. The cost isn't on the ballot.

Official Price Tag on Florida Ballot Initiative.

[VOA]

bump for future read.