We speak with Dr. Sue Winton of York University in Toronto about the effects of private money–much of it from parents–that replaces decreased public funding of schools. Fundraisers and fees for special programs benefit affluent schools and the children who already have the most access to opportunities. Low income parents often feel pressure to donate beyond their means for their children’s sake.
Overview
00:00-00:45 Intros
00:45-03:18 How private money comes into public schools
03:18-08:18 Impacts of private money
08:18-10:58 Government funding patterns; fees; waivers
10:58-14:03 Discretionary funds
14:03-15:34 Grants
15:34-19:39 Connections to privatization; book sales; school photos; candy sales
19:39-22:45 Fundraising sales: dilemmas for parents
22:45-26:04 Changes in fundraising as public funding for schools decreases and changes
26:04-28:44 Fundraising as part of competition among schools and districts
28:44-32:13 Creating alternatives to individual school fundraising
32:13-34:34 Schools—public good, private interests
34:34-38:35 Short and long-term approaches
38:35-41:17 Toronto school district—things it’s doing right
41:17-43:31 Outro
Transcript
Click here to see the full transcript of this episode.
References
Book Critical Perspectives on Education Policy and Schools, Families, and Communities – Edited by Sue Winton and Gillian Parekh
Soundtrack by Poddington Bear