Have you guys heard of the Robin Hood program? I know its in Texas, but I don't know about other states. It's basically this program that "steals from the rich schools and gives to the poor schools." While I think this is a good idea at face value...on a doubletake it is screwed up. My school happens to be one of the "rich schools," they decide it on property value, and since the DFW airport is in our area, we have very high property value. Anyway...our school gives a lot of money to other schools. One of the problems I see with this program is that the money is not for academics only...one of the schools that we "sponsor" bought a teletron (i think that's what its called---those big TV screens at football games) with the money we gave them. Also, because of the money we're giving away, we are not put in a huge budget crunch. We've had to lay off teachers and a lot of classes didn't have books. Next year our schedule will be changed off of block scheduling (which will eliminate many AP classes) to further save money. A neighboring "rich" school district now has to charge the highschoolers $300 a year for a parking pass, and $150 to participate in any extracurricular activity...all to compensate for Robin Hood.

I like the idea of giving an equal education to all...but I think that Robin Hood has gone too far. What do you guys think?

I just learned some more today about what is going on with Robin Hood. For one thing, Fort Worth (who doesn't give money to robin hood) has recently hit the limit that they're allowed to tax their citizens for education...so now they are cutting out things like 7th grade athletics and music and art. Texas' legislature will be meeting soon (only meets once every 2 years) and they recently said that education is not one of the top priorities. My government teacher thinks that now that urban school districts, not just the suburban rich ones are complaining, they'll have to listen and do something. Anyway... he says that robin hood will change, its just a matter of how soon.

I'm from the Grapevine-Colleyville district... and so glad I won't be around when we're off block scheduling! I can't imagine 7 classes a day (6 AP in my case)...it has completely ruined the 4 year plans of everybody younger than me.

jstar, you're from the DFW area too?

I graduated from Midlothian, and soon they'll be sending money off to the state as part of the Robin Hood scam.

Well, to answer your question(s), Robin Hood is strictly socialist.

Not one media or political figure will say it; it's a 100% socialist program.

And it doesn't work.

It's funny you post this, because I'll be working on some research into my county's schools and how much money they get in state, federal aid, etc.

What school district do you live in?

I know Coppell, Southlake, Colleyville-Grapevine, Highland Park, Richardson and Plano have to send millions and millions to the state.