Education is a double-edged sword.
Thomas Jefferson wrote in his 1778 “A Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge” speaking of education and governance “…that even under the best of forms, those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny;”
Jefferson goes on to write “…and it is believed that the most effectual means of preventing this would be, to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large, and more especially to give them knowledge of those facts, which history exhibiteth, that, possessed thereby of the experience of the other ages and countries, they may be enabled to know ambition under all its shapes, and prompt to exert their natural powers to defeat its purposes; And whereas it is generally true that laws will be wisely formed, and honestly administered, in proportion as those who form and administer them are wise and honest…”
Jefferson wrote much about educating the public and even created the first institution of higher education, University of Virginia.
I bring this up, not because I know about education or have studied Jefferson but because it seems to me that common sense should prevail when it comes to funding public education.
Jefferson believed that those “whom nature hath endowed with genius and virtue, should be rendered by liberal education worthy to receive, and able to guard the sacred deposit of the rights and liberties of their fellow citizens, and that they should be called to that charge without regard to wealth, birth, or other accidental condition or circumstance;”
In other words, if you have the natural talent, then by all means receive the formal education.
In Jefferson’s time, it was common for the eldest male to receive formal education while other siblings learned the trades. It was all a home could afford. Jefferson desired to right this problem by offering public education. He believed it was a wise investment in the future of our nation.
So, how does Jefferson’s strong desire for public education fit in with the recent budgetary failures of our public education system? It would seem that, if public education were able to “illuminate” as Jefferson wrote, that we would not need to cut spending nor would we need to raise taxes. In Jefferson’s Utopia, we would have a balanced budget that met the needs of our people through the consent of the people.
Thomas Jefferson wrote in his 1778 “A Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge” speaking of education and governance “…that even under the best of forms, those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny;”
Jefferson goes on to write “…and it is believed that the most effectual means of preventing this would be, to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large, and more especially to give them knowledge of those facts, which history exhibiteth, that, possessed thereby of the experience of the other ages and countries, they may be enabled to know ambition under all its shapes, and prompt to exert their natural powers to defeat its purposes; And whereas it is generally true that laws will be wisely formed, and honestly administered, in proportion as those who form and administer them are wise and honest…”
Jefferson wrote much about educating the public and even created the first institution of higher education, University of Virginia.
I bring this up, not because I know about education or have studied Jefferson but because it seems to me that common sense should prevail when it comes to funding public education.
Jefferson believed that those “whom nature hath endowed with genius and virtue, should be rendered by liberal education worthy to receive, and able to guard the sacred deposit of the rights and liberties of their fellow citizens, and that they should be called to that charge without regard to wealth, birth, or other accidental condition or circumstance;”
In other words, if you have the natural talent, then by all means receive the formal education.
In Jefferson’s time, it was common for the eldest male to receive formal education while other siblings learned the trades. It was all a home could afford. Jefferson desired to right this problem by offering public education. He believed it was a wise investment in the future of our nation.
So, how does Jefferson’s strong desire for public education fit in with the recent budgetary failures of our public education system? It would seem that, if public education were able to “illuminate” as Jefferson wrote, that we would not need to cut spending nor would we need to raise taxes. In Jefferson’s Utopia, we would have a balanced budget that met the needs of our people through the consent of the people.
Earlier this month teachers took to the streets of Fullerton to rally support for tax extensions. Some believe that these tax extensions could save many schools from laying off teachers.
Others, me included, believe that an extension of the temporary taxes currently due to expire in June only rewards poor governance and failed leadership.
Based on the financial records released by the Fullerton School District (K-8) and the Fullerton Joint Union High School District (9-12) it appears that most teachers are earning at or above the median income level for Orange County residents. This tells me that the teachers are paid fairly and equitably for the services rendered assuming of course that each performs equally with other teachers receiving the same pay. That assumption, however, is false since teachers’ pay is based on seniority, certifications, and college credits received. Their pay is not tied to student learning outcomes.
Others, me included, believe that an extension of the temporary taxes currently due to expire in June only rewards poor governance and failed leadership.
Based on the financial records released by the Fullerton School District (K-8) and the Fullerton Joint Union High School District (9-12) it appears that most teachers are earning at or above the median income level for Orange County residents. This tells me that the teachers are paid fairly and equitably for the services rendered assuming of course that each performs equally with other teachers receiving the same pay. That assumption, however, is false since teachers’ pay is based on seniority, certifications, and college credits received. Their pay is not tied to student learning outcomes.
