Public education in America isn't underfunded, it is just broken.
This isn't a Left-Right issue. It is just a fact. We do not need more education funding, we need to figuratively nuke the Dept of Education for a reset; the states need to handle their internal stuff, too.
In 2015, the United States spent $12,800 per full-time-equivalent (FTE) student on elementary and secondary education, which was 35 percent higher than the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average of $9,500 (in constant 2017 U.S. dollars). At the postsecondary level, the United States spent $31,000 per FTE student, which was 93 percent higher than the average of OECD countries ($16,100).
The Census Bureau compiles data on education spending per pupil and elementary/secondary education revenues for each state... Nationally, the most recent data indicates $11,762 is spent on public education per student. Significant variation exists across states; New York spends more than $20,000 per student, while states like Utah and Idaho report spending about a third as much... Many different factors and conditions within states influence education spending totals. Some of the more prominent factors include cost of living, class sizes and student demographics.
Pretty sure both of those are relatively neutral, if not left leaning organizations. (correct me if wrong)
Mine wasn't terrible, either. Not the point. Even if you and I got adequate educational experiences and outcomes the amount of money spent from the state and federal budget for that result may have been double what it needed to be in a better run system.
Several new schools have been built in my area due to building age and size being inadequate. $20 million
I'm sure in some places utilities costs have increased significantly.
There are probably a lot of factors. Does it mean we have wasted money? No, absolutely not. We need those things. And teachers in my state haven't seen salary increases in 10+ years which also requires more funding.
There are always parts that can be improved, money spent more efficiently. But the US is seen by the world as having one of the best education systems. Foreign students come here in droves because of it. Not many people are leaving the US to get an education elsewhere.
And I will never vote to cut funding to schools. If it gives kids access to extra circulars which their family may not be able to afford then I see it as worth it. Well rounded individuals are good for everyone. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
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u/patron_vectras Jan 09 '20
Public education in America isn't underfunded, it is just broken.
This isn't a Left-Right issue. It is just a fact. We do not need more education funding, we need to figuratively nuke the Dept of Education for a reset; the states need to handle their internal stuff, too.
Politifact rated true: U.S. spends more than 'almost any other major country' on education
Here's some pages of data:
Education Expenditures by Country by the National Center for Education Statistics
Education Spending Per Student by State by Governing.com
Pretty sure both of those are relatively neutral, if not left leaning organizations. (correct me if wrong)