Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Prison Spending Overshadows Education Funds
Fascinating commentary today in the Washington Post by Andrew Block and Virginia Weisz, who present some startling statistics concerning the amount of money states spend to incarcerate youth compared to dollars dedicated to education. For example, Virginia earmarks about $70,000 per kid for jail and $3,400 for each student towards school. In California, according to the authors, the number of jail cells needed is estimated based upon the number of citizens who cannot read past a fourth grade level.
It has been proved time and time again that increased funding does not improve schools but it does seem that our priorities in taking care of our children are backwards. Perhaps the editorial will spur new urgency in alternatives to traditional schools.
PermaLink | 6:13 AM |
|
It has been proved time and time again that increased funding does not improve schools but it does seem that our priorities in taking care of our children are backwards. Perhaps the editorial will spur new urgency in alternatives to traditional schools.
PermaLink | 6:13 AM |
| 
