In a time of budget shortfalls and teacher furloughs, dozens of Dekalb educators are on an expensive trip to Hollywood, California.

"Even in tough economic times, learning continues," says Deputy Superintendent Gloria Talley.

A total of 180 teachers, principals, assistant principals, and other educators made the trip to California for a three day conference put on by America's Choice. According to Dekalb school administrators, the total cost for the trip is around 380-thousand dollars.

Dekalb's Deputy Superintendent is quick to point out funding for the trip comes from the federal government, and not Dekalb's strapped school budget.

Still, some parents are questioning the message.

"To me, it's a sign of mismanagement," says Cordelia Blake, the parent of a second grader. "If you need training, get it here in Georgia. Don't go to California. The school district is sending employees to California while they're making budget cuts. It's ridiculous."

The conference is part of Dekalb's plan to bring reform to 40 schools that have struggled with achievement. The federal government's Title 1 program is providing the funds for the trip. School administrators the federal government dictates that the money has to be spent on school achievement, and can't go toward salaries or to help make up the county's budget deficit.

"It has to go to your schools improvement plan, which this does," says Talley.

Still, parents question the price tag, and the timing of the trip.

"I don't know of another way to get our teachers exposed to other teachers around the country who are implementing the same model, and can tell us about the lessons they've learned." says Talley.

"This is a national conference. We don't choose where the conference is held."

Talley says she doubts educators on the trip will have time for entertainment or a tour of Hollywood. She adds if they do, they'll pay for that part of the trip themselves.
This isn't my county.

To me, this seems like an incredible waste of federal funding. So the funds have to be spent on improving school achievement; I still don't see how that justifies a trip for so many for a conference. Send a handful, and use the rest of the funds implementing what the 10 or so who go learn - hell, use one of the state mandated furlough days for teachers as an in-service where the educators can all be educated on whatever is taken away from the conference.

I also think that improving school technology would qualify as a means of improving school achievement.

I'm also rather curious about which parts of Dekalb county the 40 "struggling" schools are in. Should be quite simple to find, I'll probably do it in the morning. I'd bet it's the poorest parts, though.

edit: Another school system's difficulties:
http://www.ledgernews.com/news/461-j...e-funding-cuts