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The economics of public education can often be difficult to analyze and the inconsistencies within the system are habitually difficult to improve. Problems within the United States education system such as funding, educational standards, and tools for reform are often viewed with differing opinions. This creates different ideas for improvement which is sometimes good for differing opinions can add a variety of ideas, however, differing opinions often leads to disputes between which standards and methods are best for the educational system. For our group presentation we looked at the economics of the education system to better understand how education in the United States works, and what methods may provide for the most promising improvements. A Brief History In order to best understand the education system and form opinions, it is essential to have an understanding of the history of United States Education. Education institutions started with the introduction of the first settlers and colonies in America. Early on education was centered on the bible, and that educational establishments were based on town size. In the late 1700’s Thomas Jefferson implemented a two-way system providing some of the first scholarships to children. In 1785, a law was passed that land grand universities would be instilled in America. Originally started in the Northwest Territory, the law has since grown throughout the country and been responsible for the public universities we have today. As America becomes more and more developed however, discrepancies start to rise and poorer families call for wealthier people to better fund education. In the early 1800’s Massachusetts opens the first public high school and a few years later a law is passed making public education free of charge to all. However, in the south things are very different, and with slavery still lingering, there are many discrepancies fromnorthern school systems. A law is passed in 1830 forbidding slaves to read, and as more settlers travel to the United States, family farms are bought out by larger agricultural businesses and family turn towards the state with a demand for public education. In the later 1800’s Massachusetts begins to set examples for other states as they introduce reform schools for juvenile delinquents and allow for children of immigrants the right to an education as well. The state also instill English as the primary language and make it illegal for Native Americans to be educated in their own native tongue. At the turn of the century, African Americans, largely centered in the south, lobby for public education for all. The Supreme Court case Plessy vs. Ferguson recognizes segregation as legal and creates turmoil throughout the country. This leads to a series of lawsuits over unequal pay for black and white teachers respectively. Then as World War II ends, a bill is created providing scholarships to thousands of working class men for the first time in America’s history. In 1954 one of the most meaningful and important court cases in United States history, Brown vs. Board of Education denotes that segregated schools are inherently unequal and must be abolished. A few years’ later students in Little Rock Arkansas are taught under the control of federal troops as nine students enter to learn in an all-public high school. As the civil rights movements is under way, the educational system continues to progress and eventually Native Americans and immigrants alike begin to be let into the educational system. School Requirements and Ideas for Improvement Understanding a brief history of the United States Education system, one can form better opinions about what strategies to take to improve the system. In public education the implementation of the “No child left behind act,” generated four mainprincipals. The first principal requires schools to increase their accountability for student performance meaning that schools will be held accountable for all students, including disadvantaged students, to meet the high standardized education requirements. The second principal requires schools to focus on what works meaning that the allocation of funding be specified to improve schools and enhance teacher quality so that the Adequate Yearly Progress steadily increases. Further into principal two, Adequate Yearly Progress has some specifications. The specifics of require that 95% of enrolled students take a state assessment exam, meet the specified math and reading requirements, that at least 1.1% of students reach the advanced reading and math requirements, and that high schools meet the required graduation rate. The third principal allows for increased flexibility, that is, states and school districts will be provided increased flexibility of their programs and funding will be increased at a local level. The forth principal requires that parents are have greater knowledge of the situation, that is, parents will be better informed and receive better information about their child’s school. If the school does not meet these requirements for two consecutive years, a parent my transfer their student to another school. School Funding Once having met the specifications and requirements set by the state, schools then face an even more challenging problem, funding. Funding for education is scattered with inconsistencies throughout the system. Certain areas of the country are wealthier than others and this creates different opportunities for different kids. Social class indifferences causes some kids to lose the opportunity of using new equipment, better teachers, and sufficient classroom size. Schools in poorer areas also struggle to pay for standardizedtesting. Since education is primarily state and locally funded, about 40% and has practically no funding from the federal government less than 10% annually, children who happen to grow up in wealthier areas have greater opportunity due to their parents being able to pay a higher tax rate. This is where the greatest inequality in the system exists. Since poorer kids receive less funding because of a smaller tax collection, they often receive a worse education with less opportunity. This once again brings into account the idea of segregation. Minorities often fill lower income areas and are hence receiving a worse education. It seems clear that inconsistencies play a big role in decisions about education in America. Justification for Education Having understood a


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CU-Boulder ECON 4211 - Education system

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