Race to the Top Funding

Race to the Top funding is a hot topic in Texas Politics right now. The question asked is should we apply for the national funding or rely on our state funds to pull Texas thru the finical hard time that the education system is having? Rick Perry states that “If Washington were truly concerned about funding education with solutions that match local challenges, they would make the money available to states with no strings attached.” I have to agree with Governor Perry. Although the Race to the Top funding would provide the Texas Education system with up to $750 million in funding, it will cost our taxpayers $3 billion dollars or more to realign our education system to standardized national public education. This $750 million would be a onetime grant and our education system would be torn to pieces. We are doing what works best for Texas students, and I doubt Washington D.C. knows more than people who live here

I am sure we all know that money is needed to make the education system work properly, so it is no surprise that their are people who stand on both sides of the fence when it come to federal funding. Funding provides the schools with technology that allows us to advance our so that they can become more college and career ready starts for young Texans. The Texas State Board of Education adopted one of the nation’s first college and career- ready curriculum standards. Opening option to the career field will ensure that our students are able to be educated and ready for the real world. If we allow the our current education system to be nationally mandated than these programs may not be offered in areas that help Texans. We were recently recognized in the Education Week Magazine for these programs of college and career ready standards. In my opinion Texas is doing just fine without the control of the national government. Our students play an important role in the future of our state and should provided with the best foundation for available to them.

Parent involvement plays a crucial role in the participation and drive of students. If Texas does apply for the Race to the Top funding they will not be looking out for what is best for the children. Rick Perry reported that allowing interest groups and unelected bureaucrats will decline the opportunity for parent involvement. I am in the pursuit of becoming a teacher, and I know that I will want to incorporate as much parent interaction as possible because it is proven to increase the students drive.

There are many reason why Texas should say no the Race to the Top funding. If we think we are in finical trouble and submerged in taxes now, then just imagine what the National Government will impose on us when we have to reform our entire education system.