Education cuts make economy far worse

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Cuts to education funding have been major news over the past few weeks.  These cuts are part of the continuing economic crisis.  Folks, we are making our economic mess far worse by cutting education.  Not only are we taxing (stealing, really) our children’s future, we are cutting their ability to generate the vibrant economy they will need to pay for our largess.

I have heard a lot of talk lately on radio and television about what can and cannot be cut from education.  All too often the cuts that seem like reasonable options (no, not the ‘best option’ or the ‘only option’ but a ‘reasonable and acceptable option’) are cuts to programs like music, art, theater, and foreign language programs.

I understand the temptation for making cuts in these programs.  The first job of schools is to enable these future adults to earn their living.  I doubt anyone questions the need to keep reading, writing, and arithmetic over and above music, art, theater, and foreign language on that basis.  But folks, our children need to be more than worker drones.  Based on what I have heard, I have concluded that a lot of voters, taxpayers, and parents don’t understand the role these programs play in education.

Music, art, theater, and foreign education are about the child’s cognitive development, not just the ability to draw pretty pictures and remember that Tchaikovsky liked cannons in his music.  I am talking here about the ability of future adults to think, and not simply go through rote actions. To create, develop, and design the products and businesses that will create jobs and form the economy 20 years from now and beyond.

I understand that the economic situation requires serious spending cuts.  I offer my thoughts above so that at least we understand just what we are really cutting. Because we are cutting off the future.

Tagged as: college costs, education, funding cuts, schools, teacher pay