Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
August 21, 1923
The Forrest City Times And Herald
Forrest City, Saint Francis County, Arkansas
What is this article about?
This editorial defends public education spending amid complaints about school taxes, highlighting increased school attendance, per-child costs of about $50 annually in 1920, and the long-term societal benefits of an educated population for better government and production.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE COST OF EDUCATION
There is bitter complaint in many communities today over the size of the school tax. Many people are demanding that the cost of education be cut down. But before doing so, the taxpayers should consider what they are getting for their money.
Increase in school attendance has been a factor in school expenditure. Many children used to drop out at about the sixth grade, wholly lacking in a decent equipment for life, but now there is a strong tendency to keep on to or through the high schools. All this calls for more teachers, more buildings, more costs of all kinds. Our people will never close the doors of their schools to those who seek better equipment for life.
The total of public school expenditure in the United States in 1920 was around $1,045,000,000. The total number of children enrolled was about 21,000,000. Thus the cost was about $50 per child per year. Allowing 12 years for a full grammar and high school course, it costs about $600 to give a boy or girl a fairly good education.
As the average high school graduate probably does twice as valuable work as the average child that quits at the sixth grade, it would seem as if that cost was made up in about one year of the average man's life.
Of course schools should run economically. Sometimes there is too much tendency to go in for costly new fads, and put up needlessly ornamental buildings. But when it comes to the money that competent school teachers and adequate buildings cost, the community is repaid ten times over.
A poorly educated population means that people will be misled by shallow thinkers, will choose unqualified candidates for office, and will not be able to think out the problems either of their work or of civic life. A well educated population means good government, efficient production, and repaid progress. Good schools pay.
There is bitter complaint in many communities today over the size of the school tax. Many people are demanding that the cost of education be cut down. But before doing so, the taxpayers should consider what they are getting for their money.
Increase in school attendance has been a factor in school expenditure. Many children used to drop out at about the sixth grade, wholly lacking in a decent equipment for life, but now there is a strong tendency to keep on to or through the high schools. All this calls for more teachers, more buildings, more costs of all kinds. Our people will never close the doors of their schools to those who seek better equipment for life.
The total of public school expenditure in the United States in 1920 was around $1,045,000,000. The total number of children enrolled was about 21,000,000. Thus the cost was about $50 per child per year. Allowing 12 years for a full grammar and high school course, it costs about $600 to give a boy or girl a fairly good education.
As the average high school graduate probably does twice as valuable work as the average child that quits at the sixth grade, it would seem as if that cost was made up in about one year of the average man's life.
Of course schools should run economically. Sometimes there is too much tendency to go in for costly new fads, and put up needlessly ornamental buildings. But when it comes to the money that competent school teachers and adequate buildings cost, the community is repaid ten times over.
A poorly educated population means that people will be misled by shallow thinkers, will choose unqualified candidates for office, and will not be able to think out the problems either of their work or of civic life. A well educated population means good government, efficient production, and repaid progress. Good schools pay.
What sub-type of article is it?
Education
What keywords are associated?
School Taxes
Education Costs
Public Schools
High School Attendance
Educated Population
School Expenditure
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Value Of Public Education Spending
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Education Funding
Key Arguments
Increased School Attendance Requires More Resources But Provides Better Life Preparation
Public School Expenditure In 1920 Was $1,045,000,000 For 21,000,000 Children, Costing $50 Per Child Per Year
Full Education Costs About $600 Over 12 Years
High School Graduates Produce Twice The Value, Recouping Costs In One Year
Schools Should Be Economical But Investing In Teachers And Buildings Repays Tenfold
Well Educated Population Ensures Good Government And Efficient Production