I think there's a problem with that, though. Kids who go to Edmond North are going to be seen as "college-bound" while kids who go to Douglas are going to be seen as "not college-bound". So Edmond North will get more funding than they do already and it will be a self-reinforcing cycle. As long as we've got massive differences in the quality of our schools, this will be a problem.
Yeah, I'll agree with that, but sales taxes also fall into this category. At least with the lottery you have a choice as to purchasing. The regressive nature of sales taxes impact those who can least afford them as well. While your earlier point about tax incentives are legitimate economic growers, that is true if there are requirements that show the incentives are doing what they claim. Giving away tax credits that are transferable and sold to other industries has not been shown to be a stimulator of the economy.
As an African American who chose to move his family back to "the hood" to suffer and dream with those not privileged to escape to more thriving (white) communities. It sucks for your own kids to have to experience a teacher shortage first hand. There were multiple occasions in which my 2nd grader's class was combined with a 5th grade class because the primary teacher quit and no sub could be found. It sucks to try and enroll your 4th grader in the only "high performing" school in the district (graded a C) and be told your zip code bars access.
My wife told told me about this episode of This American Life and it was helpful on this topic. I am not a fan of bussing programs at all and I hope someone finds another solution for our education dilemma.
Take a listen and let me know your thoughts.
562: The Problem We All Live With
Jonathan Kozol's books really show how teacher fluctuation really hurts communities with people of color and/or poverty. That's why firing bad teachers is such a smaller issue than hiring and retaining good teachers, but the former is a constant talking point and the latter is all but ignored. OKC is included in Kozol's Shame of the Nation. I just don't think most middle/upper class Americans realize that the students who often need the most stability in schools have the least. Public schools are supposed to provide all students equal opportunity, but they serve to reinforce gaps that already exist.
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