Introduction
One of policymakers’ goals is to ensure equal access to quality education. To this end, laws and programs are being developed to make education more accessible. Most often, these programs involve funding public schools and providing student grants. However, to effectively allocate resources when developing educational policy, it is necessary to analyze the current condition of education.
Employment Rates of Degree Holders vs. High School Graduates
Employment rates for people with different levels of education are of great importance in assessing the educational system. The employment rate of people with a bachelor’s degree over the past ten years (from 2010 to 2021) has remained consistently high. In 2021, 86% of people aged 25 to 34 with a bachelor’s degree were employed (Employment and Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment, 2022). At the same time, people of the same age with high school completion have lower employment rates (68%) (Employment and unemployment rates by educational attainment, 2022). Moreover, people with this level of education have a significant gender gap in employment.
Changes in Local and State Contributions to Public Schools
Another critical aspect for analysis is the sources of funding for educational programs. Education is funded by state and local governments that are aware of the needs of the local population (Kraft & Furlong, 2021). At the same time, federal intervention in education remains minimal and tends to reduce funding gradually. Public school revenues have grown by 10% over the past ten years, with education financial commitments being shared proportionately between state and local governments (Public school revenue sources, 2022). In 2010, state and local funding were $314 billion and $318 billion, respectively, and in 2019, these figures rose to $371 billion and $361 billion.
State Funding for K–12 Education
Taxes are one of the primary sources of funding for education, and each state allocates different resources for educational purposes. In 2019, the most significant rate of state support for K–12 education was provided in New Hampshire (61%), Illinois (57%), Connecticut (55%), Massachusetts (52%), and New York (51%) (Public school revenue sources, 2022). The lowest rates were in Alaska (11%), New Mexico (14%), Alabama (15%), Kansas (17%), and Minnesota (18%) (Public school revenue sources, 2022). The state’s needs determine the funding level, so the results are pretty predictable based on the population and students requiring education. In addition, a high level of funding does not always determine the quality of the education received. However, in states with higher school funding, students will have more choices of study places.
Implications for Policymakers
Education Access
However, the significant disparity in education funding across states may concern policymakers. It may cause equity issues related to the accessibility of education for students in urban and rural areas (Kraft & Furlong, 2021). Since education is a public service, the government and lawmakers must ensure equal access to it for everyone. However, the inability of some states to raise funding for education may cause social issues. Moreover, limited financial resources lead to another concern for policymakers. There is no set minimum that state and local governments must allocate to fund education (Kraft & Furlong, 2021). It leads to increased inequality in education between the states.
The Importance of Degrees Conferred for Higher Education Policy
Another important indicator in assessing the success of the educational policy is Degrees Conferred. Over the past ten years, the number of degrees received in public higher education institutions has grown by 39% (Postsecondary Certificates and degrees conferred, 2022). It testifies to the growing interest of the population in obtaining higher education. Moreover, the policymaker should be interested in expanding access to higher education, as it determines the student’s future employment opportunities and, as a result, their ability to pay off college debt.
Conclusion
Therefore, this area requires additional government funding, most often through grants and college funding cuts (Kraft & Furlong, 2021). However, the budget for higher education is insufficient and needs to be increased, as there is a significant disparity in this area. Students from low-income families cannot afford a higher education, which determines their employment and income opportunities and leads to continued socio-economic inequalities.
References
Employment and unemployment rates by educational attainment. (2022). National Center for Education Statistics. Web.
Kraft, M. E., & Furlong, S. R. (2021). Public policy: Politics, analysis, and alternatives (7th Ed.). CQ Press
Postsecondary certificates and degrees conferred. (2022). National Center for Education Statistics. Web.
Public school revenue sources. (2022). National Center for Education Statistics. Web.