Topic Memorandum TO: Professor McClure FROM: Alex Xourias SUBJECT: Topic Choices Memorandum DATE: February 15,

2013 PURPOSE The purpose of this memo is to express to you what options I would like to pursue for the rest of the assignments related to this one. SUMMARY This memo lists and explains the three options I am interested in studying further for the future assignments. DISCUSSION Restoring Arts Education at Paint Branch Elementary School As the country continues to plunge into debt, budget allocation for public schools has become a major issue. What programs should be continued and which cut is a key locus in the debate. While some support an increase in math and science funding, others remain steadfast in their belief that arts should be held to the same degree. As an intern who taught arts education at Paint Branch for a semester, I witnessed the changes it had on the performance and behavior of the students and can speak to the importance of arts in our everyday lives. I found research on sites such as http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/imagine/201102/artsmarts-whycutting-arts-funding-is-not-good-idea and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/30/obamas-2013-budgetarts_n_1843866.html showing why arts education is beneficial to students and the current plans for the budget. This topic is suitable because it is a current issue that affects everyone in the community and can be changed through small-scale means, such as Paint Branch Elementary. I also can contact the principal of the school. Dealing with Debt: Per-Pupil Expenditure in DC Public Schools The District of Columbia has one of the highest per-pupil expenditure rates in the country, while it has some of the lowest graduation rates and scores. The discussion surrounding this topic focuses on comparing the DC school system to other urban public school systems and defining what exactly the failures are. It is not simply a matter of for or against in this case. Everyone agrees that there needs to be some level of funding for public education students. The issue emerges when deciding what exactly these students should be funded for (i.e. textbooks, transportation, lunches). Why does DC have to

spend so much money per-pupil? Data compilations such as this one from the US Census (http://www2.census.gov/govs/school/10f33pub.pdf ) and other resources (http://www.aei-ideas.org/2012/06/29409-per-student-costof-d-c-public-schools-puts-them-in-an-elite-group-but-without-theresults/ ) explain various causes and reasons for the exorbitant spending. I feel competent to approach this topic because I have had experience in the public school system. In addition, this topic is suitable because it is ongoing and constantly evolving due to the changing economy. If I proceeded with this topic, I would contact the chancellor of DCPS. Increasing funding for Transportation Development in DC Recently, the transportation system in DC has come under fire, being criticized by all for its infamous inefficiency and unreliability. Metro fails to arrive at destinations on-time and has an extremely outdated tunnel and technology system. In addition, it becomes very congested at rush hour. With more people looking to public transportation due to over-congested streets and perpetual traffic, the DC transit authority (WMATA) needs to accommodate. This debate revolves around how to obtain the money for increased transportation funding, in addition to what exactly should be developed. WMATA is expanding as shown by its strategic plan (http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/Momentum_Strategic_Plan_ 2013-01-28-secure.pdf ) to accommodate sky-rocketing congestion (http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-0927/local/35273941_1_traffic-congestion-texas-transportation-instituteaverage-commuter ). To pursue this project, I would contact the head of WMATA. ACTION I think the first may be the most attainable topic out of the three, but the second is one of the more interesting ones to me. I am not quite sure what should be included in this Action/Recommendation section, but the above are the three options I am submitting to you.