How to adapt funding for education in our economic crisis

The Intel Corporation is committing a global investment of $120 million over the next 10 years for Science Competitions, Youth Outreach, and the Online Science Community. Will Swope, Intel’s Vice President and General Manager, made the announcement this morning at the U.S. news & World Report Education Summit on “America’s High Schools: What Works? What’s Next?” Swope said “I can’t think of a more critical time to invest in math and science education.”

Speaking at the same event was Joel L. Klein, Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education. With the current economic crisis, Klein suggests we “let schools decide” how to fund schools focusing on “student based budgeting”. Klein said “the kid carries the dollar through the system,” and encourages wise educational funding now more than ever.

Klein emphasized two things that he knows works in improving our education system; improving education before students reach the high school level, and creating high standards and assessments on the national level instead of state. Klein credited the No Child Left Behind Act for “creating accountability in the education system”, such as the “pay for performance” proposition, and focus on year to year progress as opposed to regional academic proficiency.