Spend $ now or more later? That is the question.

It seems apparent the common thread between New Jersey, Connecticut and North Carolina’s success was investing precious financial resources into improving teacher quality. However you want to define “quality teachers”, my initial response is “duh” of course! Wouldn’t that be common sense? The same goes for the situation as to funding early childhood programs versus the later costs of incarceration for those individuals who clearly had no other outlet with the lack of adequate education. I feel nothing but frustration when it comes to politics. I can understand the pressures of balancing a budget, who doesn’t? It seems clearly, there is a short-sightedness when it comes to states, like California, making these financial decisions. Cutting costs now, equates to greater cost later. So, regardless of political agendas, common sense dictates, that perhaps investing more in areas such as teacher preparation and early childhood programs would actually cost less in the future. That’s why it’s called an investment! States could set up for a more financially secure future, if they would see just cause for investing money into these areas now.

Reading about California’s situation with the unqualified teachers, drastically varying teacher pay and virtually non existent resources in certain poorer areas, just shocks and angers me. High rates of teacher absenteeism, lack of substitutes, resorting to consolidating classrooms because there is just nobody with a pulse available, it seems so far from my reality in Idaho. These are the ramifications of political decisions that are being made. Where is the common sense in making these decisions? Beau mentioned that politics and reform is moved by crisis not common sense. Hence the question: Isn’t this a crisis? The strategic management of resources in North Carolina and Connecticut just seemed to be obvious solutions to a failing education system. It doesn’t surprise me that there was a pronounced impact on student achievement when you professionalize teaching, and provide incentives to be top notch educators.

One area that could definitely benefit from improvement in Idaho, would be taking a good look into administration and the investment in their leadership skills. While providing more rigorous training for teachers appears to have been a successful allocation of resources, I would love to see a greater emphasis on fully preparing Principals for their vital role in the school system. I can’t imagine the challenges inherent in this job, and would be impressed to see a similar practice of “shadowing” an experienced Principal for incoming leaders. Real world application and practicing by doing can only help provide the tools necessary to be an effective leader in the school.