Salem Fitwi, WH ’26, Granger, IN
During this summer, I had the amazing opportunity to conduct research on the financing and funding of public education in the United States at Saint Mary’s College, a private liberal arts college in my hometown South Bend, Indiana.
This research involved a comprehensive analysis of many different factors. I looked into the complexities of state-level funding formulas, federal contributions, local property taxes, and additional sources that together influence the financial framework of public schools within my state. The data I found was very intriguing and many patterns and disparities began to emerge. The contrasts between well-funded schools in affluent areas and the struggles faced by schools in underserved communities was clear. Over the course of the summer, I began to construct detailed models that visually depicted the financial realities of various school districts, effectively highlighting the disparities that exist.
However, my summer was not confined solely to data and statistics. I had the privilege of engaging in insightful discussions with educators, administrators, and students. These conversations provided invaluable insights into the real-world impact of funding on students’ educational experiences. Listening to stories about navigating limited resources underscored the critical importance of equitable funding and its direct effects on students’ learning journeys.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my research was engaging in discussions with individuals who are directly impacted by the issues I was investigating. Hearing firsthand accounts from teachers at a high school in my hometown about the limitations they face due to inadequate resources, and witnessing their unwavering dedication to their students, added a genuine human dimension to my work. These interactions not only provided context to my research but also inspired a deeper reflection on the role of education in shaping our society’s future.
This summer of research has instilled within me a renewed sense of purpose and a deep commitment to advocate for an educational system that is truly inclusive and fair.
The research was unpaid, and it was because of the generous summer funding grant from Penn Career Services that I was able to pursue this opportunity. This summer was exciting, insightful and I came out of it with a fresh perspective on the financing of the public education system.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2023 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
