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Edward's avatar

I’d be interested to hear your views on how gifts like this should be used as opposed to the flaws in this and other gifts. Instead of pointing out all the problems what are the potential solutions?

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Vijay Gupta's avatar

Great question. I think such investment in K-12 education is much better for society than investment in professional education.

Also, a billion dollars can do a lot more for the K-12 education. It can positively influence many more students.

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TerriM's avatar

Especially if it were aimed at older people looking to get into teaching.

There are a lot of SAHMs who want to return to the workforce by becoming a teacher, but to get a credential can cost $25-$50K. What's the point of that when you are 50 and have 15 years left and are only making $50K/year anyways (because despite your pre-kid industry experience, you start as a year 1 teacher). Plus if your husband makes a good salary, you're being taxed at your husband's level..... In California that could mean 50% of your teacher salary goes to taxes.

I have a friend making this choice, and while I understand her desire to go back to work, financially and stress-wise it's a loss for her family. I thought about it as well, and decided it just wasn't worth it.

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Vijay Gupta's avatar

Totally agree. What you described applies to people I know, including me. I chose to do private tutoring. Less money, but more freedom and less bureaucracy.

Perhaps Bloomberg could subsidize private one-on-one tutoring for poor students.

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