Schools Need MONEY!

The article from the Texas Tribune I will be focusing on by Morgan Smith titled School Districts, State Trade Blame Finance Trial focuses on the underfunding of public schools. There has been an estimated about $5.4 billion that has been reduced since 2005 for the schools budgeting system.

Smith’s underlying message is that by reducing funding to public schools while increasing the standards for academic performance through the new accountability system has failed to meet its constitutional obligations to provide an adequate and efficient public education system. With this focus, faculty and staff are finding it difficult to acquire more resources to educate students who continue to do poor on state exams, which seem to be an increasing trend. The new STAAR exam is said to be more rigorous than the old version of the TAKS test. Without the right resources students are struggling to get to the next grade level when funding needs to be provided. I do agree with Smith’s position because if you cannot equip our kids for the future what foundation are you giving them?

Smith does go on to explain that the reason why public education systems are failing is because it’s a monopoly. By definition monopolies drive up prices, increase costs, and keep wages low. This is what has been going on in public education systems since 2005 which has depleted students from performing on statewide issue exams.

Smith did suggest a backup plan which is to make a more competitive system that would not only make better use of taxpayer money, but also benefit teachers and students by increasing the compensation for high-quality instructors. I do agree with Smiths plan because our teachers are the cornerstone in what makes a student successful.

Can I Recieve My Financial Aid?

In the article I critiqued in the University Star about Financial Aid regulations, written by Evan Bolton seemed to be projected to an audience surrounding anyone in the field of secondary education,  and the respective faculty staff. The article pertains to an academic act that was done because students in perspective college institutes such Texas State don’t equip themselves with the educational resources keeping them from falling down an academic battle. “According to a Sept. 13 University Star article, students  at any public university will no longer receive financial aid while they are on academic probation, as of this past summer."

The University are doing everything in there powers as well as student services yet SOME students can’t seem to make meeting minimum GPA requirements as well as completion and maximum completion rates. I do agree with what this article, while at the same time it informs anyone who is academic distress to receive help from a plethora of learning services. With students being denied financial aid sets them back and even puts some in economical distress of paying bills and etc.

The author could have added more statistics on how much the students were losing from financial aid and the stress it puts on those who are trying to function unemployed. The author did say that more institutes were adding tutor labs in there students services but never really stressed the upgrades. The article in my opinion didn’t give a lot of details, but enough to get the information through to students who are sitting on that academic bubble.

In conclusion, financial is will be approved to those who meet minimum requirements of GPA and completion rate. Academic probation just doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye and can be easily maintained handled earlier in the situation.