Editor:
Dr. Myra Forrest’s solution to educational outcome disparities between, as she defines it, the “haves” and “have-nots” is for the state to continue to increase funding to poorer school districts (“What is our state of education?” Reading Eagle, Jan. 14). In effect she is suggesting that if the state takes over school funding and establishes equal funding for every school district, then disparities between educational outcomes will be eliminated. Providing equal funding to each school district will only result in lowering outcomes to the lowest common denominator.
Forrest misses one key consideration — motivation. In education, like many of life’s pursuits, motivation to improve the situation has a far greater impact on outcomes than funding. Rather than supplementing “have-not” districts, why not take action to motivate the “have-nots” to become one of the “haves”?
Providing funding to each student and allowing the student to use these funds to attend the school of their choice is a better approach. It provides motivation for both the student and the school districts to improve.
Jay Leininger
Wernersville
Source: Berkshire mont