Proposition 103 was a Colorado introduced measure “that would have sent an estimated $2.9 billion to K-12 schools and public colleges and universities.” 2.9 billion in funding would be an astronomical about of assistance to the already struggling educational system. Granted, when divided up by the whole of Colorado the amount would be minimal but a refocus on education is needed. On Election Day Colorado said no thank you to helping their students and future. With the ever-decreasing amount of money being allocated to education in Colorado its no wonder that many of our students are not entering university level learning at appropriate learning levels.
The increasing was asking for both an income tax increase as well as a sales tax rate increase. With the effects taking place over the next four years, the proposed amount of money that would ultimately totally the previous stated number of 2.9 billion dollars. The significance of spending money to get money for the good of all has been lost within the current state of finances and the idea of the personal prospect is what blurred many people to the potential impact that could have been made for students. Mike Tiderman a Colorado voter was quoted,
"I understand the plight of schools and everything, but personally, I do not want to pay more taxes right now." The amount of people not wanting to pay more taxes grossly outweighed those and has continued to do so in Colorado since 2008.
Along with the measure not passing and no increase in funding, the insurmountable cuts that Colorado’s education has taken will continue cuts these programs. I as a teacher have seen some of the effects .For example, I remember the days when a school supply list consisted of me bringing my personal wants and/or needs. Now, even at the preschool level, I have seen children being required to bring soap, glue, and of course, zip-lock baggies and Kleenex. What is even better is that I have seen these commodities , as they have become, traded for services provided by other parts of the school.
It is possible that with Colorado’s increasing population the disbursement of funding per student, which according to the Great Education Colorado association is $1,397 less than any other state in the country, could be thinning out.
Overall the amount of funding for education in Colorado is becoming less and less accommodating. Students in K-12 are going to suffer because they will not be prepared to go into an advanced education. The repercussions of that, will show up as a continued deficit in Colorado’s higher education retention.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/01/colorado-rejects-higher-s_0_n_1070688.html
http://www.greateducation.org/statistics-faqs/funding-faqs/public-school-funding/
Yes, good times in Colorado when tax payers do not want to increase taxes less than a grande venti double caramel macchiato with a double shot of whip cream. But the reality of the situation is that an increase in taxes in a tough economic time will not pass, especially in a state that ranks in the bottom 5 for funding in the United States. The big picture is that the better the school district the more the value of the home will increase. However, for whatever reason, either the message is not being presented correctly, the government is not pushing the benefits of the bonds, or there really is a HUGE disinterest in education. I hope it is not the last for all our sake, because that would make our job as higher ed and/or teaching professionals a continuous uphill battle. I am really disappointed in Colorado and Colorado voters for this.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how many times someone defined their anti-prop 103 with “this is just a band aid fix,” it still amazed me that this didn’t pass. Even if this wasn’t the best long-term solution, it was a step in the right direction. Colorado pays much less in state sales tax than other states. Considering that we are all at least hoping to work in higher education at some point, if not already employed there, I would hope the majority of my classmates were pro-Prop 103. And maybe if we continue to speak up about the funding needs in higher education, more of the general Colorado population will begin to listen.
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