The Lottery: Funding Education

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the current taxation system used in Texas to raise monies for education has been ruled unconstitutional numerous times in a series of lawsuits over the past few decades. The author points out that proponents have pushed for the use of the lottery as a means of funding education for all students in many states. The paper relates that critics argue that using the lottery to fund education will only encourage unhealthy levels of gaming. The author underscores that many state lotteries contribute to the general state fund, which supports many programs not solely educational in nature, causing concern over the lottery truly supporting what it was designed to enhance. The paper concludes that the lottery is the only system that is viable enough to ensure that all Texans are taking ownership of providing appropriate educations for students from all socioeconomic levels.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Background
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The history of gaming and sweepstakes is lengthy in nature. Forms of lotteries have been in the context of our social environment since biblical times. The first known chance of winning actual money occurred in the 1530s during the reign of Queen Elizabeth in Italy; from here it sparked the privatization of lotteries for the nineteenth century with 15 percent of proceeds going to beneficiaries (Hills, 2003). According to Hill, in the late 1890s constitutions in 35 states were developed forbidding lottery operation due to concerns of morality, yet since 1985 more than $11 billion of supplemental funding has been raised in California for public schools."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bryce, C. (2006, September 18). Tests matter, but in this global economy, so does innovative thinking. Retrieved September 18, 2006 from http://www.dallasnews.com/cgi-bin/bi/gold_print.cgi.
• Cagnetti, L. (2002, December 15). What is the answer to Ohio's school funding problem? The Cincinnati Enquirer Online. Retrieved September 14, 2006 from http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2002/12/15/loc_Funding15.html.
• California State Lottery. (2000). California lottery's website features education contributions: third highest education contribution in lottery history. Retrieved October 7, 2006 from http://www.calottery.com.
• Cavanaugh, S. (2005). Gaming, tax reform on table in Illinois school aid debate. Education Week, 24(27), 17. Retrieved September 6, 2006 from Academic Search Premier.
• Garlikov, R. (1999). A proposal to fund education better without increasing taxes or having a lottery. Retrieved September 14, 2006 from http://www.garlikov.com/philosophy/funding.htm.

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• Research Paper # 52427 : "Technological Advancements in Gambling"

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