Khanh Doan
Issue Paper
September 26th, 2010
AP Gov P3
Issue Paper
September 26th, 2010
AP Gov P3
Education Funding and Reform
One on the main issue today is education. Should we increase funding, decrease funding or leave it as it is? The issue was brought up this decade and is one of the main issues today along with economy and gay marriage. There are many different reforms between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The democratic party suggest that everyone can afford higher education while the republican party states that every student can choose what school will fit them best.
In the year 2008, there was a little election battle for a small spot in the white house called president. There were mainly two candidates that ran from each party. One was Sen. Obama who was a democrat. On the other side of the spectrum, we have Sen. McCain who was a republican. Each side had a different issue for education. McCain believed that education is a new civil right issue of this century. He promotes funding for all schools from private school to public. He also would help funding schools from head start schools to high performing schools. McCain would also fund for quality teachers. Obama stayed with the existing system. He stayed with the No Child Left behind Act of 2001 from former president George W. Bush. Obama believed that funding should go to the kids who need a head start in education. He believed that there will be higher educated students in AP classes and college. But that was 2008, what about 2010?
The Republican Party plans to give every student the opportunity to choose any school they see fit. They believed that students should not be in a school that is failing. Education is the responsibility of the state. Republicans believe in block grants. The Department of Education funding would go to the state. Students should learn the basics of education to become leaders of the future. The Republican Party reform benefits the poorer districts rather than the middle class as funding would go to the poorer class. Republican Gov. Dave Heineman believed that education funding would decrease because the health care reform takes lot money from it. Ironically, he voted for the health care reform.
The Democratic Party is slightly different from the Republican Party. They believed students should have an easier time to go to college. All colleges should be affordable to every student planning to go into college. The difference between this and the republican reform is that the democratic reform would give funding to every student except the poorer students would not have benefit as much. The republican reform gives funding to the poorer class. Obama is running on a “Race to the top” system which promotes kids to be innovative. He wants to fund those who are incentive to want higher education. According to Obama, we should not fall behind in a competitive world. More people will complete college.
As of right now, education is one of the biggest issues Americans have to deal with today. Obama had a speech recently about education stating that students should have the incentive to pursue a higher education. This issue will continue on for hundred of decades because everyone love to complain. Everyone who picks sides on weather we should give money to education or for war. Both political parties seem to have great points but since manly people stereotype, the democratic party have a higher chance of winning this debate. Many teachers or educational vocalist would choose the democratic side because the Republican Party only gives funding to the poor, not the ones wanting higher education.
Bibliography
Education Next." Education Next: Education Next Is a Journal of Opinion and Research about Education Policy. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. <http://educationnext.org/school-finance-reform-in-red-and-blue/>.
Nguyen, Mina. "Republican vs. Democrat -- Healthcare, Education and the
Environment." Harbus. 27 Oct. 2008. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. <http://media.www.harbus.org/media/storage/paper343/news/2008/10/27/Features/Republican.Vs.Democrat.Healthcare.Education.And.The.Environment-3507936.shtml>.
President Obama, Barack. "What We Stand For: Education." Democrats.org. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. <http://www.democrats.org/issues/education>.
RNC: Republican National Committee. "Education Means a More Competitive America
RNC: Republican National
Committee | RNC: Republican National Committee | GOP. Republican National Committee. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. <http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/Education.htm>.
Committee | RNC: Republican National Committee | GOP. Republican National Committee. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. <http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/Education.htm>.
Walton, Don, and Lincoln
Funding." The Lincoln
Just an observation, but it seems almost like the roles of Democrats and Republicans have switched: now the Republicans are aiding the poor and the Democrats are pushing people to try harder. This is most likely because if all students are helped and well-educated, then all of America’s standards will be higher. If Republicans support a laissez-fair economy, then more well-educated people will keep up this system.
ReplyDeleteHowever, although their methods are different, both parties are fighting towards the common goal of making more children receive a better education.
Also, if Republicans believe that students should not be in a school that is failing, then what will happen to those “failing” schools, along with the students there who did not move?
I believed that the "failing" school does two things. They are either closed down or stay open for "failing" students. Since every student have to go to school because of the No child get left behind act, they cannot close any school. There are still failing students out there.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the government should try to clean up these schools and change their "failing" title. It is unfortunate that the students within these hopeless school have the same fate pushed upon them because they have no other option.
ReplyDeleteLike Lacie said, it's definately interesting that the Republicans and Democrats have taken the stances they have on education. Their actions do not seem to fit the patterns we've seen and talked about. Republicans tend to be economically forward and stable people, so I do not understand why they would want more funding for education, when they would have to pay more in taxes for the other people that need the support. I feel like this could be proof that the Republicans are going through a realignment. As for Obama's more competitive educational policies, well they don't fit Democratic patterns either. While I totally agree that the nation shouldn't stand still to wait for the educationally slow to catch up, I just don't see how this is a Democratic idea. Democrats have been all about helping out in the economy and assisting the poor, and when the poor tend to be the ones in need of the educational boost, competetive practices I feel will not help the poor. Is this another realignment or example of political leaders not listening to voter opinion. Or possibly, more people are seeing that if Americans cant compete with foreigners in college America will fall behind other nations economically. I feel America's competition against foreign nations is a topic that both Dems and Reps can rally behind.
ReplyDelete@ Lacie
ReplyDeleteYes, it is unfortunate. I still think these students should actually get on the next level of education and join a different school.
@ Jonah
The push for more kids in college may not be for the poor, but poor kids can benefit from it. There are smart kids who cannot afford college. They can benefit from what Obama said. I think competition is the main reason why the democratic and the republican parties are supporting education.
this is a perfect example of extended classroom. Nice work you three
ReplyDelete