The city of Chicago reported that 54 public schools will be shutdown in order to cut costs and reallocate resources that is best for all Chicago's students. This means that students who are currently attending those schools will be forced to attend a different school next year.
The debate whether closing these public schools will benefit the students' academics is still ongoing, although the debate itself probably will not have any impact on whether those 54 schools will ultimately close. It seems the plan of shutting down these schools are final.
While reading the story, a paragraph in the New York Times caught my attention: "The district says that with the money it saves from closing schools, it will invest in air-conditioning for all classrooms; libraries; expanded math, science and fine arts curriculums; iPads for all students in grades 3-8 and programs for advanced students."
I hope the "iPads for all students in grades 3-8" caught your attention.
Why does the city of Chicago needs to provide iPads for all students in grades 3-8? This is a complete waste of money. The only possible reason for providing iPads to students is to allow the school district to use technology to facilitate children's education. That in it of itself is not an unreasonable argument. But my question is this: why iPads?
There are cheaper ways to use technology to facilitate children's education. One way is to provide computer labs and have extended hours. Students without a computer will be able to utilize the technology to enhance their learning without having the district to pay a few hundred dollars for an iPad per student.
If the city officials are serious with the iPad proposal, then why stop there? I propose that the city of Chicago replace all school buses with a personal student taxi service. Each student gets his own taxi to travel between the school and his house. Such a service is a benefit for the student, because it prevents students from needlessly walk through dangerous neighborhoods. Just like the iPad proposal, this student taxi service might be seen as a waste for some, but shutting down 54 public schools will generate money for the district. Why not spend it mindlessly more?
