Assignment 1-Research Topic

Possible Topic One-School funding in South Dakota

This topic is a huge issue in South Dakota now, especially with small schools like the one that I attended. Actually our school was just on the news last week as one of the schools fighting the state on the school funding issue. This issue will definitely impact my future as a teacher.

http://www.schoolfunding.info/states/sd/costingout_sd.php3
This article brings up valid points such as how many students there are in South Dakota, grades K-12, and how much each school has per each student. It points out that some districts recieve adequate funding, but 161 districts out of 170 are underfunded. Low teacher salaries are also stated as a problem. School districts are having trouble recruiting and retaining.

Research question: Why are some schools underfunded and what can be done to recruit and retain teachers in this state's small schools?

Possible Topic Two-Increasing Cost of Living Verses Frozen Salaries

The cost of living is going up everywhere. No one can deny that. But why aren't job salaries rising to keep up with the cost of living? Most people are being pinched tighter and tighter and somtimes may have to take drastic steps such as choosing between feeding their families and paying bills. South Dakota has a relatively low cost of living but the situation is the same. Real estate and land are also getting harder for people to buy. This applies to almost all jobs, not just teachers, although they face a tighter crunch since salaries are relatively low.

http://www.slate.com/id/2147256/
This site explains how the rising cost of living is going up but salaries are staying the same or dropping. In short, people are having a hard time keeping up with the rate of buying things that are necessary and paying bills. High gas prices, healthcare, food, and even general everyday items are going up in price. People are having a hard time keeping up, and some people have to choose between getting what they need to live and paying bills. This is also affecting businesses; people are starting to conserve money by not going out as much and cutting what they can.

Research Question: Why are prices going up and salaries not keeping up?