It is no secret that the state of Texas is in the middle of what we can consider a colossal budget crisis. With such a significant shortage of cash flow, copious programs across the state are getting slashed as if they were Wal-Mart prices. One of the programs taking the biggest blow is our education system. Schools are being forced to close extra curricular programs, if not the school entirely, and teachers are being dropped like flies. With already such a lackluster public education system, one can only imagine the significance of the budget cuts.
In a commentary titled "Cutting Administrative Costs Could Improve Texas Education", written in right leaning blog Empower Texans, Fernando Trevino describes how cutting administrative cost could actually benefit the Texas education system. Trevino's intended audience is directed at people who are asking for the heads of Texas officials for cutting education funds. A vast majority of the general public strongly oppose the states decision to carve into the education budget. He wants the readers to view the situation from a different angle. Fernando Trevino is a political activist studying political science at Texas A&M University. He has had experience working with politics such as working as a district intern for a U.S congressman, as well as organizing a Republican club at his high school.While we may agree or disagree, it's pretty safe to assume Mr. Trevino's experience in the field as well as his educational background provides us with a credible opinion, and one that comes with sufficient backing.
In his commentary, Mr. Trevino feels as though cutting administrative cost could actually improve the Texas education system by being able to downsize the number of school districts in certain areas. By doing so, with fewer administrative cost, money can be better allocated, and put to more efficient use in the classrooms. Trevino feels by doing so, educational standards in the state will be right up to par with the rest of the country. The reason Trevino likely feels this way is because of his viewpoint on what a school district is intended for. Its a place for a student to achieve a first class education, a place where the future is prepared for unbounded opportunities. While Trevino's opinion is one that is respectable, his assessment has a few blemishes. For instance, we can understand where Trevino is headed with his proposal to downsize certain school districts. However, what criteria must one area meet to be considered for downsizing? Several areas of Texas are densely populated, and cutting schools will only overload classrooms. In this scenario, it would be much harder for students to ask instructors for any assistance if needed. Trevino's proposal is based off his assumption that school's are not a place for employment, rather a place for the future to bloom. While Trevino's stance on this is reasonable, this approach isn't fully thought out. While the latter part of his inference is indeed true, I think he has not thought about it from a teacher's perspective. Becoming a teacher is one of the more satisfying jobs one can have. Knowing that you have touched the lives of young, bright, and driven individuals, and influenced them in a positive manner is an amazing accomplishment. Being a teacher should not be about a career opportunity, but a chance to do good, a chance to find genuine fulfillment in your life. Though it may seem as cutting administrative cost at this point seems just about inevitable, only time can tell the ramifications of this whole process.
Empower Texans. "Cutting Administrative Costs Could Improve Texas Education" http://empowertexans.com/node/1591. March 14, 2011
