Does a Recession Affect Education?

With many state legislatures having to trim their budgets, many school districts are likely not going to receive as much state funding as they received in recent years.

Less money means that some school districts are going to have to make some tough decisions as to where to trim money from their budgets. One place many districts will start is by delaying the purchase of new computers and other new technologies.

Some school districts are raising the price of breakfast and lunch. Other districts have enacted hiring freezes, meaning that no additional staff of faculty will be hired until economic times improve.

Some schools are cutting drama and theater programs while some schools are making the decision to cut programs, such as art, home economics, entrepreneurship, and other classes that are typically regarded as electives.

In a recession, everyone suffers, including educators and students. Teaching is difficult enough, but if one has the right technology, then the job is more easily accomplished. If schools are not fully funded, then schools are not going to purchase SmartBoards, which means teachers will have to rely on those old dry erase boards or and that old chalkboard. This makes everyone's job more challenging.

If history is any indication, teachers will step up to the challenge as they have always done. Give a teacher a book and a semi-motivated student and magic will occur.

If schools cut programs, then many students are devoid of the opportunity to learn about those subject areas that really interest them. If students are interested in learning about theater, their best bet is to learn about acting and the stage at school.

Schools have to do what they have to in order to survive, but at the same time, is it worth extinguishing a child's passion in order to save a few bucks?