The state of education in Indiana today is quite bleak. While our state representatives and senators continue to mull over the budget for the fiscal year it seems as if public education has taken a back seat. These politicians argue and talk about giving more funding to schools, but in fact the new funding formula for schools continues to strip our tax dollars from public schools while constantly more incentives are given to public charter schools. There has not been any consistent data that can show that these charter schools perform better than public schools. Most public schools have done their best to meet the ever-changing regulations of education in our state. However, I can tell you that my years in education prove that public schools have been regulated to fail.
When the rules are constantly changing, schools cannot and will not be successful in reaching the accountability measures that have been legislated. Schools will be held accountable for new tests that students and teachers will not be able to prepare well for. Longer more tedious IREAD, ISTEP and ECA exams for what? These tests do not prove that students are learning and will be ready for a career when they come out of the education system. This is federal- and state-sanctioned child abuse.
I have worked in Lake Station Community Schools for 11 years. The district has always been criticized for underperforming. Within the past five years, with lots of innovation from the teachers and staff, we have been able to improve our accountability grade has a whole from a D to a B. We have two nationally recognized Title I schools. We had a state awarded administrator at our Junior-Senior High School. We created a community outreach/service program in lieu of in-school suspensions. This program helped bring down the amount of suspensions in our district keeping students in the classroom. What do we receive for our innovation and success?
First, we received an audit from the state to prove our test scores, attendance and graduation rates that improved our accountability grade were not fabricated. Second, we have received a massive cut in our funding from the state due to the new funding formula. You can look at our district data here: http://compass.doe.in.gov/dashboard/overview.aspx?type=corp&id=4680
I have never been an advocate for throwing more money at a problem, but now the problem is that public schools are not able to fund the programs that make them successful. We are supposed to receive funding for our free and reduced lunch kids … the formula changed. We are supposed to receive Title I aid … the formula changed. Public schools are only asking for a fair share in state funding for education. A charter school should not receive more funding because it’s a charter school. The future of our children’s education is at stake. Politicians do not have the right to use children and education as pawns for political gain. Please contact as many state representatives and senators as you can. Inaction is the same as committing the act yourself.
James M. Wasmundt,
Department Chair Fine Arts
Lake Station Community Schools
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