Education remains the core problem of the governments of all countries and the laws, which are provided, are aimed to improve the quality and organizational structure of the educational establishments all over the country. California is one of the states, which offers the innovations and the facilities which could improve the life of children. Developing the life of students today, the society prepares the next generation of people, who will have to cope with the country, and the level of education and upbringing depends on present education. The innovations are mostly connected with school. Proposition 49 is the law, which was adopted by the state government and dealt with the before and after school activities.
The problem of the modern world is that there are a lot of opportunities for children but at the same time there is nothing for them to do. Computer, Internet, street companies with bad influence, all children are interested in. To avoid that bad impact, the government initiative was to develop the program of before and after school activities. The program was offered by Schwarzenegger as the part of his election program, and as the first initiative he came through and succeeded. The main idea of the program is to provide the additional financing of schools with the aim to create the before and after school activities, at the same time without raising taxation. The program is directed on elementary and middle school students, who will have to attend the additional activities (Baldassare and Katz 58).
Considering the results of the voting, it is significant to mention that the Proposition has passed with 57% and was supported by “majorities across party groups, whites and Latinos, men and women, liberals and conservatives, and voters of all age, education and income groups” (Baldassare and Katz 59). Considering the Proposal 49 from the present point of view, it may be concluded that it was the stream push for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career as politician, who cared about citizens of the state and their well-being.
Discussing Proposition 49, it is crucial to stop on some points of this proposition. The After School Education and Safety Program Act of 2002 offers, first of all, grants to the schools, which before and after school educational initiatives will be the best. The before and after school activities programs are put on the competitive position as the government of the state does not have so much money in their disposal to finance all projects (Brown par. 2). Moreover, the competitive position of the financing will give the opportunity for all schools to open and develop their potential and take part in the initiative, which will be directed first of all on children’s development.
Focusing on some requirement, the before and after school educational program for elementary school students should be operated for at least three hours a day, with the obligatory warranty at least until 6:00 p.m. Middle school students’ program schedule is flexible and allows students attending additional activities at least three days per week, but not less than nine hours in general (Brown par. 8).
It is impossible to discuss the law without considering its costs and benefits. Dwelling upon costs, the granted school will have the opportunity to spend on one child $5.00 per day. The annual costs will comprise $50,000 for elementary school and $75,000 for junior high school. The advantage will be given to the schools, which serve low-income students, they will have the opportunity to receive $200,000 in addition in the case of the before and after school education program will be successful (Brown et al 18). Analyzing the costs, the conclusion is that the program is rather expensive for the government, but at the same time, the benefits from the program implementation will be felt.
Proposition 49 is based on the competitive grounds and it is impossible to deny firmly that the lawsuits will be avoided. Competing usually involves winners and losers, and losers are usually against accepting their losing and try to prove their winning capacities, while winners try to protect their title. The program promises big money to the best and the competition is going to be hard. On the other hand, the initiative offers good opportunities for schools, especially for those offering education to the low-income students, as winning grants will give them the opportunity to increase the level and quality of education.
In conclusion, Proposal 49 is a great opportunity for schools to develop the students’ knowledge, to give them the opportunity to discuss projects of before and after school initiatives, which give students the chance to develop their capacities at school in their free time and not to spend it in vain. The before and after school initiatives may reduce the level of youth crimes and violence in the city and to improve the socio-economical position of the whole city, not only school. The level of students’ education influences the level of social development greatly as they are the future generation, who will have to cope with the economical and political position of the state.
Works Cited
Baldassare, Mark and Katz, Cheryl. The coming age of direct democracy: California’s recall and beyond. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2008.
Brown, Julie. Proposition 49: After School Education and Safety Program Act of 2002. University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, 2009. Web.
Brown, William O., Frates, Steven B., Rudge, Ivan S., and Tradewell, Richard L. The costs and benefits of after school programs: The Estimated Effects of the After School Education and Safety Program Act of 2002. Web.