Investing in the Future
By John Mahon
Education is the basis of American success. Our society has one of the highest education rates in the entire world. This is immensely beneficial for our society. When there is an injustice, we are empowered to fight it with words. When there is a need, we are empowered to create new inventions to meet it. When there is a world conflict, we are able to research this and form logical opinions in order to best resolve it. It is no wonder that the United States is respected worldwide. One of the biggest influences on the quality of education is funding. Funding impacts education in several ways, it allows more diversity in topics, it allows for students to learn in better environments, it allows for poorer communities to be able to access similar materials, and it would allow all students to participate in whatever athletics they want.
One of the most important impacts of school funding is how it allows for more diversity in topics. In my school there is an option to drive to another school in the mornings for the Thompson Career Campus (TCC) classes. In the TCC campus we have the opportunity to enter four different pathways where we can learn subjects such as IT and Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Construction Skilled Trades, and Design and Manufacturing. With all of these we are taught real world subjects and are able to earn certifications so that we can enter the workforce prepared with the knowledge that we need. This would not have been possible without the help of funding. With funding from our schools we have been able to supply our lab with computers and several other key devices, and with even more we would be able to teach even better.
Another important aspect of school funding is how it allows students who otherwise would have no access to materials to perform a task. School funding allows all students to receive a more equal education. All students from both higher and lower privileged communities are able to receive the same equipment, textbooks, and qualities in instructors. It also means that all students can have the same amount of comfort as they learn, meaning less distraction and better communication. Students also would be able to receive similar athletic equipment, allowing students in less privileged communities to be able to work out and practice on high quality equipment with less risk of injury. With higher school funding, schools would be able to bridge the gap between higher and lower economically strong neighborhoods and support them similarly.
The environment that students are learning in can impact a students’ education. When you are in a hot classroom with no air conditioning or heating you feel uncomfortable and irritable. When you are in a conditioned classroom you can feel more comfortable and ready to focus on your learning. Furthermore, better designed buildings are more safe in case of a fire or another emergency. In my school, we lack air conditioning as well as high quality heating. Students feel hot and tired for half of the year, with money being spent on fans to blow around and keep us cool. This causes a lot of students to be displeased with the school and associate learning with discomfort.
Another impact of higher quality equipment in school is with athletics. Better funded athletic programs can have less injuries and more members. More uncommon athletics would also be possible, as well as events in track and swimming such as pole vault and high diving. Higher funding in athletics will allow students to express themselves with different activities, and help them improve their mental health and body image. Sports can help students to achieve their athletic potential, and higher school funding will help students to have higher mental health.
Funding is very important to education. Colorado ranks 43rd on school funding, and 50th for teacher wage competitiveness. We do not give people reason to decide to become a teacher, and we rank low in the amount of funding that we give to a school. We need to change this now, we need to increase the funding that we give to schools. With higher school funding we can bridge the gap between higher and lower privileged students, improve the environment in which students are learning, and improve athletic quality. With this we can make Colorado a center of learning where students all over are empowered to learn and achieve their potential.