It's about equity ("Budget could cost IPS schools, teachers, programs," June 23). Our Indiana schools create different ends for different children. The outcomes in the form of graduation rates and standardized test scores, as shown on the Department of Education Web site, clearly show that the differences fall along racial lines and lines defined by poverty. This then becomes an equity issue that challenges the premise of a quality education for all children in our state.

In reference to Gov. Mitch Daniels' budget proposal and the estimated loss of $47 million to the Indianapolis Public Schools, we have to decide whether we can afford to have the largest urban school district -- with 77 percent students of color and 83 percent free and reduced lunch students -- not benefit from continued restructuring and the addition of fine programs that make for a quality school district.

All Indiana government decision makers should read the recent 2009 Schott Foundation report, "Lost Opportunity: a 50 State Report." It shows that 45 percent of black students in Indiana are in poorly resourced schools, compared to 17 percent of white students. The same report indicates that 33 percent of white students are in well-resourced schools, compared to 18 percent of black students who are. Well-resourced schools are defined by early childhood education, best-qualified teachers, instructional materials and college preparatory curriculum. The special programs being created in IPS and other urban districts are designed to recruit better-qualified teachers, enhance the level of instruction, advance the instructional materials and redesign the curriculum.

Under our governor's new policy, which is based on a loss of 2,800 students from IPS, Superintendent Eugene White would be forced to cut those factors that make the difference between a subpar education and one that is considered quality based on its resources.

The Civil Rights Commission declared some time ago that education was a civil right in Indiana. Are we not going to allow White and other leaders of large urban school districts to attempt equalization in resources, allowing each child to benefit from a first-class education? Are we as a state willing to say to all residents and taxpayers that we have quality education, but only for certain students, and that it is pretty much determined by race and family income? Would that not be saying we are not addressing to the fullest the glaring educational equity issues of this state?

Source: indystar.com