Final

Student fundraising is prevalent in most schools throughout the country. Fundraising comes in many different shapes and forms from candy bars to concerts and everything in between. Fundraising is a way for students to get the extra money their schools need for trips, materials, sports related costs, and construction to name a few. Fundraising helps the schools and others who need help financially, but at what cost to the parents and students? Has student fundraising gone too far?

School fundraising came into existance in the Victorian Era(1837-1901). It was known as RAG, because students

started by collecting rags and giving them to the poor(Duronio & Temple, 1997.) It was also said that this name was given to fundraising because people would literally "rag" someone, or pressure someone into giving a donation. It is much like this still today. Fundraising items and causes have changed over time to accomidate the needs of people. In history it was rags for the homeless; now it can be to help the schools or collect donations for others in need.

The prices, merchandise, and fundraising methods have changed over the years. Even 10 years ago, there was not the variety of fundraising and merchandise that there is today. Fundraising then consisted of selling candy, magazines, and raffle tickets at a price that was cheaper than it is presently. The reason was because there wasn't a deficiet in school funding like there is today. Now there is a need for more funding and the products became bigger and badder. The fundraising has become more cut throat and pressure is placed on the students to sell more than their peers.

How much of the funding goes where it should? The products that students sell, most of the time, come from fundraising companies. Usually the schools are going to make anywhere from 30% to 55% of the sales price of the items sold(Chaika, 2002.) Fundraising entails that the seller sell items and collect money for the items sold; then the seller...