Snippet of Outrage in Book Five: Working Through the Maze 2018

This from the New York Times via BBC News: “The Department of Education (DoE) is looking at allowing states to use academic enrichment funds for firearms, the New York Times first reported.”

In the United States, some students are shamed and/or punished if they can’t afford a school lunch. Despite the fact that every research into the subject (and common sense) demonstrates that starving kids can’t focus on school.

In the United States, some students share their classroom with up to 40 or 50 other students and there is only one teacher. Despite the fact that every research into the subject (and common sense) demonstrate that a teacher able to serve students on a more individual basis is better for the student, the classroom, and education at large.

In the United States, many schools have defunded, eviscerated, or destroyed all of their Art, Music, Drama, and Vocational opportunities due to funding shortfalls. Despite the fact that every research into the subject (and common sense) demonstrate that the arts and vocational training in a Public School setting creates healthier, better adjusted, more well rounded, students and future leaders.

In the United States, many school districts are experiencing teacher shortages. One reason, of many, for this shortage is that teachers are paid abysmally compared to what they are required to do. Further, in order to effectively run their classrooms, many teachers spend their own money (without being reimbursed) on school supplies for their classroom and their students.

Every time I bring up these arguments to deride our Federal Government, someone is quick to point out that most of the funding issues are on a State level and that Federal funding is most supplemental. To their credit, they are correct. The majority of decisions about schools is a more local entity that spirals outwards. School Boards to State.

However, there is a way in which the Federal Government can exert control and influence over education spending. Grant Money. They could create a path for schools to access “Academic Enrichment Funds” in order to treat the immediate emergency. OR if we wanted to be proactive about things, allow access to the “Academic Enrichment Funds” for schools that have solid plans for how to NOT constantly be in financial emergency.

Instead… instead of the Department of Education prioritizing our children’s education… they are now acting like a branch of government being influenced by the National Rifle Association. I never expected DoE to become a lobbyist pawn of the NRA.

The Department of Education (DoE) is looking at allowing states to use academic enrichment funds for firearms.

I’ll just be over here stewing about “Money for Guns in Schools” and imagining a world where the headlines were “Money for Teachers in Schools.”