Chapter 4: Schools as the Workplace for Students and Teachers

Staff and Organization: 
     In our build-a-school school, King of the Gods High School (KGHS), there was very limited staff because there was only so much room on the spaceship to Jupiter, and there were not many teachers willing to uproot. Therefore, we only had History, English, and Science teachers. Compared to a national standard in all schools, it seems were were missing a math, art, music, technology, health, special education teachers, guidance counselors, librarian, teacher leaders, department chairs, and a superintendent  at the very minimum. Although, we did have a principal, Dr. Teresa Overall.
     We were not organized like most U.S. high schools for the simple reason that the students lived with their families on the ship in close approximation to the school. While compared to U.S. public high schools on Earth who use a schedule with periods that go straight through the day, KGHS uses a college schedule system to organize the education of the students. Additionally, KGHS has a heterogeneous, who class system, which is similar to public schools across the nation.

School District Relationship with the State:


     Schools in the U.S. have a very direct relationship with the State. Schools are organized into School Districts according to geographical area. All school districts in a state are accountable to that state and that state's department of education. Inside the school districts, there is a superintendent, maybe multiple assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals, teachers, and students.
      However, when compared to the U.S., KGHS has very little. It has a principal, teachers, and students. The superintendent and all departments of education, etc, are in control of the federal government. We do have a school board and a PTA, despite the size of our experimental colony.


Role of Federal Government:
    In KGHS, the Federal Government has a very large role in our institution. The president approved the proposal passed by Congress to expand a colony to Jupiter, with the project being headed up by the department of  NASA's Extraterrestrial and Homeland Research (EAHR). All decisions are made by through this department, even down to the level of the superintendent. The EAHR also hand selected the principal, the teachers, and even the families selected to board.
    A normal school in the U.S., when compared to KGHS, is still largely influenced by the Federal Government. The education policy and funding is dependent on the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S Congress, and even the President of the United States. U.S. Public Schools and KGHS are also under control of the No Child Left Behind Act.


How Schools Are Paid For:


      KGHS is paid for largely by the U.S. Government and ultimately the U.S. taxpayers through an expansion tax that was made mandatory when the country became overpopulated. There was also a large fee from all families boarding onto the experimental colony. All money goes to EAHR and NASA.

      In comparison, public schools are paid for by income tax, property tax, sales tax, lotteries, and gambling. If The Department of Education cuts funding for a certain state, all public schools therefore get less money, and the school must fundraise for certain departments, often, the performing arts and music programs.