schooldays

A number of states use lottery money to help fund education in a variety of forms. It’s a hot topic and one that doesn’t suffer from lack of controversy.

Opponents argue that lottery states experience more poverty, and that gambling–type funds shouldn’t be used for schools. Proponents argue that many state residents who live near state borders cross those borders and purchase lottery tickets from participating states, thereby funding college scholarships and school districts anyway. Only those dollars are going to schools in other states.

This article in a northwest Arkansas newspaper quotes a guest speaker at a political meeting who believes that using money from a lottery would help the state move up from its close–to–last–place position in education among all the states.

Although the “almighty dollar” may control more than we like it to, there isn’t necessarily a direct relationship to the money thrown at schools and the achievement rate of students.

I like to see much-needed money spent responsibly on schools, but I wonder about the motives of those encouraging lotteries.

What’s in it for them? And how much of that money do colleges and district schools actually get?