Update to TFA and the Critics
Monday, July 26th, 2010Study analysis, more issues to discuss, and more insights here, at eduwonk.
Study analysis, more issues to discuss, and more insights here, at eduwonk.
School finance has worked its way through the courts before. It is back. It is worth monitoring, as California has one of the most inequitable school property tax mechanisms, where essentially the assessed value of the property is capped at the purchase price plus a max of 1% increase per year. The inequity emerges particularly when looking at the assessed values of properties purchased in boom years when compared to those that have been in the family for decades, or at the very least were purchased in a more reasonable housing market. And in communities that have not seen increases in the housing market approaching anywhere near the hottest markets, there is even less of a tax levy with which to fund educational needs, creating great disparities in spending. While money doesn’t mean everything for educational achievement, it does reflect the types of resources that are available. In underperforming schools, the availability of such resources is meaningful.
The classroom and school day are very important. Parents, role models and consistency are critical. After the school day ends, there are many opportunities - utilized or wasted - to ensure academic success, particularly with those whose socioeconomic experiences limit the ability to utilize the time. This program, Blue Engine, seeks to make that time count, in a comprehensive way, in the tradition of TFA.