PSA_Draft

Project2

  Do you remember the kids back in grade school who were absent so much from school that you were almost surprised when they were present? It's a shame to see someone waste any potential they might have by skipping school. You would think that they are only hurting their own future. Well, that's not entirely true, or at least for California students who are actually costing schools money with their consistent absences.

  Every day that a student doesn't come to school ends up costing the district about $29. On its own, $29 isn't too much; combined with all the other absent students though, multiplies it significantly.  Joanne Faryon states, "San Diego Unified School District, one of the largest districts in the state, lost out on $34 million last year" (Faryon, 2011). That is an incredible amount of money. There are plenty of classes that are overfilled with students and that money could be spent to provide more teachers and classrooms for them. Materials necessary to demonstrate complex subjects could be provided such as calculators for students in higher-level math classes such as calculus and trigonometry. The only way for the schools to get that money though is through a change in policies.

  Currently California schools are being paid for children to sit in a chair when schools should be paid for what they teach children. It is understandable that a child cannot learn if they are not present. This method, however, is encouraging schools to focus on getting the children in their seats over what they learn. 

  Already a law passed in January is encouraging parents to ensure their children get to school by sending a $2,000 fine. Thankfully this takes much of the pressure off of schools. An easy way to help with this is if friends and family of these children were to offer rides or needed favors in order to insure they make it to school. Many low-income families have parents who are often unable to provide transportation to their children. Anyone with friends like this could easily contribute. 

  Another way to help would be volunteering for after-hour activities at local schools. Many of the same children whose parents couldn’t afford to take them to school also tend to have trouble picking them up on time. They end up attending an after school program and this is the perfect opportunity to help them grow. It’s likely they’ve missed a few days of school and as a volunteer, you can help them catch up to their classmates. There’s much you can do in your local community to help students succeed in school.

  Next time you hear of a child you know who is in need of a ride to school will you try to help them? It might not sound like much, but even one day helps schools financially. Then there are state policies that are welcome to change such as a funding based on attendance and not performance. Parents are the ones who should be responsible for their children going to school in order to take the pressure off of our education system. If parents are unable, then it is our opportunity as caring members of the community to assist in any way we can. Education is very important and not something, California, or any part of America, can afford our younger generations to lose.



Koppenhaver