Our Fundamental Future of Eliminating Compulsory Education

The Elimination of compulsory education could result in an economic slump. However, it has the opportunity to eventually level itself out. From the point of education being expunged, fewer children would attend school, more teachers would be laid off, and there will be an increase on unemployment dependency. A loss of school funds would occur, which might provide the vital balance in the general economy.

If given the legal right, there would be many parents who choose to allow their children not to attend school and work instead. Sometimes it benefits low income families to have their children labor near or outside the household to make ends meet. Additionally, teenagers under 16 would have the option to drop out if they felt education wasn't an important part of their life.

With fewer children attending school, there would be a less dependency on teachers, lunchroom workers, janitors, and other workers that help the upkeep of a typical American school. Many face the chance of being laid off. With no other choice, these unemployed workers would have to try to find another source of income while endlessly waiting for another job opening.

According to the US Department of Labor (www.bls.gov ), the United States has an estimated national debt of $1.59 million per day and around currently 6.1% of the country receiving unemployment benefits. This country simply cannot afford to lay off school workers. You can expect these numbers to rise. There aren't many choices for laid off employees. Applying for government help, waiting for another job opening, or depending on another family member's income are the only options one may have.

Funding for school covers lunch services, teacher benefits, fundraisers and more. With the inadequate effects of slicing away compulsory education, fewer funding for schools might actually benefit the economy. According to the US Department of Education (www.ed.gov) the government spends $36 billion a year towards the needs of elementary and high schools. Imagine a balance beam. The left side is government funding for education and the right side is the national debt. If less money is going towards schools, this will help balance the national debt. However, with more teachers on unemployment dependency could make this debt rise, but options are available for those teachers such as; college employment, depending on another family member until a job opens, or choosing another career.


Many services and jobs depend on compulsory education. We will have to thoroughly investigate and decide which side of the balance beam will benefit not only teachers and the economy, but our children as well.