After a year of debate, the Court, on Feb. 5, ruled the Texas educational funding system to be unconstitutional in light of its inability to equally provide the same quality of education for all students regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds and the school district’s zoning. But, the main source of conflict about the entire education funding issue lies within people’s perceptions of the educational system and its duties.

Regardless of political beliefs or social ideologies, both sides of the political spectrum need to redefine their perceptions of the educational system as an institution worthy of investment, and not a waste of funds, time or energy.

During past decade, American students have statiscally fallen behind their international counterparts in math and science courses. Politicians and educators have countless theories and ideas why this trend has not only occurred, but occurred at such an alarming rate. Among them, is the idea that the education and aptitude of the students relies heavily on the cultural and social atmosphere around them.

In many foreign countries, education is highly valued; a commodity greatly sought after. The desire and necessity to succeed in and out of the classroom permeates the entire social setting, while domestically, education tends to be take for granted and portrayed as another thing to endure, rather than something to cherish. Students spend more time waiting for the weekend rather than enjoying the week. This only hints at a larger problem on a much larger scale: The negative perceptions of education on an alarmingly large scale.

On both sides of the political spectrum, education tends to be viewed as another cost, just to be accounted for then added to the list to be forgotten or griped about. This viewpoint is dangerously venomous to the educational system and students.

When people act under this viewpoint, it is the students that must truly pay the price for the education that they are receiving.

Viewing education solely as a cost leads to the desire to minimize the cost and maximize profit, but this view negates one critically important fact: Education is the profit. This is and has been true for centuries, and although times are evolving and changing in our internationally oriented society, it still holds true.

Although, the education system is by no means perfect or beyond reproach. At times, the system can be wasteful with its finances or inefficient with its policies, dedicating too much time and resources to efforts that do not benefit student learning.

Also, in order to create the social atmosphere that fosters the growth of education required, it is important to consistently update and modify the system so that it will prepare the students for the constantly changing world that they will face upon graduating. The system in many areas requires generous portion of innovation and renovation. But, the system is far beyond many alternatives and its successes vastly outweigh its failures, although the failures tend to be publicized much more than the successes.

In order to minimize the cons of the public education system, an effort must be made to display a demonstrated value placed on education. This includes the initiation of programs to incorporate new teaching techniques, ideas and philosophies, the incorporation of new types of technology and the integration of a culture that values education as much as it does the latest and greatest piece of technology. Only a shift in our culture and our perceptions can drastically change the system in the way that it needs to be changed.

At the end of the day, it is the nation’s job, as a whole, to reinvigorate the educational system, revolutionize the cultural portrayal and perception of public education and place a more stated emphasis on the value of education in our ever-changing, international society.