STATE CUTS TAKE A TOLL ON STUDENTS’ EDUCATION

Editorial from the Pearl Post, the student newspaper of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in van nuys from my.hsj.org |  http://bit.ly/hbwfex

Thursday, March 10, 2011 |Daniel Pearl Magnet High school (DPMHS) has tremendously been affecting by the budget cuts because of the loss of custodian workers. As the budget cuts in California increase, many wonder how schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will be affected by the excessive cuts.

It seems as though the states don’t understand the consequences of the cuts made to education. Yes, California promotes the quality of education and tries to put it at a high standard by having it be one of its top priorities. However, it seems the schools and their success are put on the back burner when money comes into play.

Budget cuts are made yearly with the teachers and staff members being displaced or laid off from left to right. Instead of making cuts on unnecessary wants, the state tends to take money from the places where it is needed the most.

Budget cuts lead to higher class sizes, which lead to fewer teachers in the classes. The loss of teachers result in fewer classes, which dampers students’ ability for a richer education.

With  cuts being made to the school, many changes are being considered that will in the long run affect students heading to higher education. LAUSD has already taken this into consideration by cutting the school year five days shorter.

It seems like only a few days, but this can hinder students when trying to continue on in their education and it is said, according to the LAUSD budget cuts press room, five unpaid furlough days will be added to the school year of 2011-2012.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan had some alternative ideas, but some of them such as an improvement to the data system, would costs a tremendous amount of money to the school district.

Many people know most of the problems when it comes to the school and the budget that the school has. However, only a few are coming up with some suggestions to these major problem-affecting students all over California.

Starting of with class sizes. Yes, in some cases, having a classroom with fewer students seems like a good idea. However, Duncan states that he rather have a great teacher with 28 students than have a class of 23 students to save the school district money.

This just goes to show that the quantity of education is the main focus of the school, not the quality that the students will carry on with them throughout their lives.

Federal expenses play a big role in the amount of money issued out to schools across Los Angeles. Flexibility should be allotted to LAUSD so that money can go where it is needed. If there were federal funds, the school could divert up to half the funding it gets from the capitol.

In an attempt to help these funding problems condense, the federal education department released guidelines to help the state and local school districts across California reduce spending. 

As part of the student body, who is being most affected by these discrepancies, we desperately want to see the hindrance of budget cuts going toward education as opposed to other matters. 

Rather than the school using its money provided by the district on non-academic matters, we should contribute more to the fundamentals of a flourishing education.