Your school has received a gift of money. What should you do?

This is a difficult situation for administrators, teachers, and students alike. A school leader has to decide what the best use of this money should be, not an easy task. The school’s budget may have been depleted because of recent budget cuts or because the school is not well funded to begin with, and there may not be other ways to make improvements. But given the temptation of receiving additional money, some teachers and administrators may be tempted to spend the money on items that would not benefit students directly. For example, they may decide to use their newfound wealth on computers, electronics, or other luxury items. However, these choices may not be wise. There is a big difference between giving your students access to these luxuries and investing in their education.

The only thing worse than giving students technology that they cannot use is providing them with technology that does nothing more than entertain them. Some teachers may think that providing their students with computers will help them learn. However, most students do not sit in front of the computer for eight hours a day. Most may not be even aware of all the functions the computers can perform. For instance, many computers now include word processing programs, spreadsheets, and even graphics programs. However, students do not use these important functions in school. They spend most of their time playing video games, surfing the Internet, or playing mindless computer games. When students do use computers in class, it is usually to play games, chat on the Internet, or research topics on the Internet. Computers should not be considered educational devices; they are merely entertainment devices. While they may come in handy when students do assignments at home, they are not necessary in the classroom. Instead, teachers should allocate funds to purchase quality textbooks. These books can be used by students to learn the material rather than mindlessly surf the Internet. Students will appreciate having books they can actually read and refer to in class. When students do not have access to textbooks, they are forced to rely on others, such as the Internet, for reading material. This can result in students learning less because they are distracted from their studies by the sights and games on the Internet.

Teachers can also decide that their students are spending too much time on their phones. While phones are convenient, students often spend too much time talking to their friends or playing games. These activities do not benefit students at all. They learn nothing from conversing with their peers or playing silly games. In fact, when students spend too much time on their phones, they may become distracted from their studies. By placing phones on silent or giving them to their parents to check periodically, students may learn to be more attentive to their studies. However, if students are given phones in school, their constant use may be prohibited. Of course, this should be done with careful consideration. Some students may rely on the phones for important personal reasons, such as contacting their parents. Teachers should not deny students the ability to contact their families, but they should determine what the students’ responsibilities are before giving phones to their students.

Parents, also, may purchase luxury items for their children. While many parents provide their children with books and video games, they may also purchase expensive toys. Unfortunately, these toys do not benefit their children. In fact, they may only increase children’s materialistic desires. When children become teenagers, they may begin to crave expensive clothes and accessories. They may even think that their parents do not have enough money to purchase expensive items, and they may begin to dip into the family’s savings. For this reason, it is important for parents to make their children aware of the importance of money. Parents can instill this in their children by teaching them the value of a dollar and the importance of saving. They also should avoid purchasing expensive toys for their children. Parents should spend time with their children and encourage them to play outside. They should also be involved in their children’s schoolwork. Parents who fail to spend time with their children and who do not provide their children with adequate support at home often see a decline in their children’s academic performance. Unfortunately, some parents may simply take the money they earn from their jobs and give it to their children. However, this only encourages their children to waste it.

Instead of spending money on luxury items, administrators, teachers, and parents should invest in students, especially students with learning disabilities. Students with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, are not given the same educational opportunities as other students. While students without learning disabilities may be encouraged to read difficult books or draw detailed pictures to illustrate their lessons, students with learning disabilities are often given short, simple assignments. If schools provided these students with adequate funding for tutors, accommodations, and special equipment, these students could succeed. In addition, students with learning disabilities often struggle with self-esteem. Because of this, they may feel embarrassed when they are forced to use special techniques, such as note taking, to study. These students deserve the best education possible, and they deserve to feel proud of themselves, regardless of what they learn in school.

Investing in education is important. Without education, students cannot succeed in life. Furthermore, students who do not have access to adequate education are at a disadvantage when they enter the job market. They may not have the skill set that employers are looking for. Therefore, schools should invest in their students, and the money that they receive as a result of their fundraising efforts should be used to ensure that every classroom has the necessary materials. However, if schools receive additional money, they should consider carefully how they want to spend it. In the end, money should be used to benefit students, not to enrich themselves