Krugman: America is Falling Behind, A Stimulus For Education Is Essential
Published October 09, 2009 @ 06:41AM PT
Paul Krugman linked America's historic economic success directly to education in a recent New York Times op-ed saying, "If you had to explain America’s economic success with one word, that word would be 'education.'" He fears the opinion that governmental spending is always wasteful, and that this fear of spending has resulted in America falling further behind other countries.
So what's the suggestion then Mr Nobel Prize Winner? Answer: Money! Money to retain teachers, and maintain funding of community colleges that help bright students from less affluent families get into universities. Krugman demands that we must "approve another big round of aid to state governments." He's right to fear calling it a stimulus. He wants America to remember that education made America great, and our actions must reflect a commitment to keep education spending high. With that in mind, it shouldn't matter what we call it. But money isn't the be and end all, and it must be spent wisely, either on innovation, resources, or reform. It seems obvious that more money is required. The real debate is where and how to spend it.
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Comments (3)
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Mike Smith is associate editor at Change.org. Email: mike@change.org
I had an idea along the lines of a stimulus that might get some support, work to further boosting the economy, and positively impact education today that I thought I would put before this community. This post seems to be the appropriate place to air this thought. What if, rather than a stimulus bill that blindly puts government money in the hands of people or cooperations to do as they please we do it in the form of a tax credit for low income families for the purchase of laptops for their school children? Many school districts wish to become 1:1 laptop schools but struggle to find ways to afford the cost, especially the cost of maintenance. If the government paid for these computers for the families who can't afford to provide them on their own then schools would have no reason the couldn't declare themselves student provided 1:1 laptop schools. These families could have access in the evenings and weekends to the computers which would be valuable from an economic standpoint, the influx in computer sales would boost the tech sector, and schools could divert technology funding toward other needs such as professional development and teacher retention.
I am currious what others think and what ideas other people have for a potential education stimulus bill.
Posted by Carl Anderson on 10/12/2009 @ 10:52PM PT
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A district near where I grew up tried the whole laptop thing with predictable and hilarious results... lets just say that isn't a real great idea. Add to that ongoing upkeep, licensing, repair (laptops arn't cheap nor are they easy to work on, lots of man hours vs standard PC's). American schools have been declining since the DOE started handing down edicts, long before every chi... oh I mean NCLB. Any bill will have strings attached that make concessions to politicians and put education at a distant second to whatever political agenda is in fashion today.
Posted by Seth Piepgrass on 10/14/2009 @ 11:06PM PT
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There is one sure way to improve any school, hire enough teachers to keep classes small. That costs. Never happens.
Posted by Edward Craig on 10/28/2009 @ 02:41AM PT
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