Chocolate Bar Fundraiser Case Study Reflection

In this case study, there is an argument at the PTA meeting about middle school kids going door-to-door selling chocolates.

1) I think there are a few equity implications of fundraisers that require students to sell items such as chocolate bars. Some families are not making enough money to buy these chocolate bars. This means they may also live in a neighborhood that cannot afford to buy these bars, so going door to door would not benefit them. Also, students in low-income households may have one or two parents working at night, so these adults are not able to walk their child around the neighborhood or spend all night emailing friends about this fundraiser. Because of these implications, I do agree with Ms. Alexander's concerns and think they should find another fundraiser that wouldn't embarrass anyone. Almost all of my students are on free or reduced lunch, so I can understand that they would not be able to participate in this, because their neighbors and family may also be struggling with money.

2) The PTA members can work on other ways to raise funds and support student activities without requiring students to compete with each other. They can organize car washes, garage sales, bingo nights, or karaoke nights. There are plenty of activities that can help schools raise money and they do not have to be competitive. The PTA needs to go about addressing the lack of funding for student activities by understanding and empathizing with families that do not make as much as other families do. This can help them create equal opportunities for every student to raise money.