DAY 5 STOP CORRUPTION

Day 5 - Money in the Education System

“Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.” -Exodus 18:20

OVERVIEW

Corruption is one of many factors contributing to the brokenness of the American education system, although not one of the more widely discussed.

Over the past decades, many nationwide policies, initiatives and standards have been set in place, but still the system continues to struggle. Perhaps there are issues below the surface that need to be addressed before effective change can really take place.

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AREAS TO CONSIDER

• Testing
  In spite of overwhelming evidence suggesting the emphasis on standardized testing has driven down the quality of education, there are individuals and companies making billions off of the testing system. Companies who produce the tests gain from the sales of curriculum, study materials and grading services. (1)
   
• Property values
  Wealthy stakeholders within school districts seek to protect their property values from being driven down by racial and economic integration; redistricting is a measure frequently implemented to appease this concern. (2)
   
• Embezzlement/Fraud
  There have been many cases in recent years of school district officials mishandling funds, pocketing even millions of dollars. Districts have worked to put better systems in place, but it is not always enough. (3)

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PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Father God, I repent if I have not been aware of what is happening in my own school district. Forgive me if I, in any way, have not cared enough about the education of children in this nation to ensure that corruption in my city’s education system does not exist.

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Lord, on behalf of our nation, we repent for allowing corruption in our schools. Forgive us for not rising up to combat it and for not even being aware that this is happening oftentimes. Expose all corruption in the education system! As we seek Your face, help us as a nation to value students instead of impacting them negatively due to corrupt practices.

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PRAY

1. Pray for all corrupt activities, systems, motivations, and individuals to be fully exposed. (Ephesians 5:11)
    
2. Pray for education professionals to have a renewed resolve and commitment to integrity; pray for the pressure they are facing to be alleviated by an awareness of the bigger issues. (Proverbs 11:3)
    
3. Pray for the exposure and removal of those who are abusing their positions of trust as a result of greed. (Luke 12:15)

ACT

1. Find out who the stakeholders are in your neighborhood. Pray over them and make an effort to get to know them.
    
2. Vote! School board members are the first line of potential change. In your community, who are they? What are their interests? (Maybe even consider running for office yourself!)

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SOURCES

1. Figueroa, Alyssa. “8 Things You Should Know About Corporations Like Pearson that Make Huge Profits from Standardized Tests.” AlterNet. 6 August 2013. Web. 7 August 2014. http://www.alternet.org/education/corporations-profit-standardized-tests
    
2. Interview. Abby Norman, Education Professional and Reform Researcher.
    
3. Dessoff, Alan. “Fighting Fraud in Schools.” District Administration. August 2009. Web. 11 August 2014. http://www.districtadministration.com/article/fighting-fraud-schools-0