Currently, most schools in the nation are funded through local property taxes. Homeowners, commercial property owners, and rental property owners contribute the majority of school funding by paying tax based on the value of their property. Some question this, arguing that it privileges schools in wealthier areas where property values are higher. On the other hand, many taxpayers argue that their taxes shouldn’t pay for the education of other people’s children. Either way, funding by property tax means that school funding varies from county to county.
What do you think? Should schools be funded by property taxes at the local level, should the state government intervene to level funding across the state, or should another approach be initiated and implemented? Utilizing two of the controversy articles, discuss the implications of (in)equitable funding for schools and students. You should summarize, paraphrase, and/or directly quote from each of the readings in a synthesized manner.
