Fight for public schools....yes even you!

Whether you are Republican, Democrat, Independent or any combination, if you are reading this blog, you are more than likely a parent.  If you aren't a parent, you live in the U.S. and at least care about children.  Please read the entire blog.

The upcoming elections are very important for the future of public schools.  You home-school you say.  My children go to private school.   That's ok, mine attend a charter school, it doesn't concern me.  We left public schools!  You couldn't be more wrong.

The future quality of public schools effects all of us.  Children who attend private, charter, and home schools will eventually grow up and live in a world with other people who did go to public school. 

Our future country will be led by people who attended all sorts of schools. Yes, even public.  We need public education that develops all children to the best of his or her ability and allows them to be contributing citizens.  Contributing citizens who can think, not just bubble in an answer.

Did you know that the current Texas legislators cut $5.3 billion out of the public schools a few years ago, and at the same time gave Pearson a contract for almost $500 million.  Pearson is the company who develops all the tests that are mandatory in Texas.  Teachers didn't request all the tests, Parents didn't request them, hmmmm.  I find that interesting.

Politicians will tell you education in Texas is fine.  Really?  With all the testing and 'leaving no child behind', why do we rank 49th in the country?  If the funding is fine, why are we cutting music and art programs, not to mention field trips? 

There is a huge push for universal prekindergarten so that all children can enter school ready for success.  There is a push for high quality daycare that is developmentally appropriate.  That's a good thing.  San Antonio and Dallas County are working to achieve this.  We need developmentally appropriate prekindergartens.   Not another 'grade' for Pearson to test, as is being recommended by some. 

We hear a lot of talk about vouchers and on the surface who would be against vouchers to attend private schools.  Here's the deal.  The vouchers don't cover uniforms.  You live 10 miles away from the private school.  Oh sorry, we don't provide transportation and the voucher doesn't cover it.  The private school still has the right to not accept you.   I have problems with politicians not telling me the whole story. 

The current system is flawed, we need an overhaul, a reform but not by business people who know nothing about education.  Not by big companies that benefit from the reform.  There are several grassroot organizations led by parents.  Yes, that's who we need, parents, along with teachers.

Here are a couple of interesting articles:

Say Goodbye to Public EducationFrank Breslin: The Gates, Broad, Walton and Koch Foundations vs. America's Public Schools

Testing the Limits: A Texas Mother’s Radical Revolt Against Standardized Tests

As voters, we have the power to change things.  Even if you want things to stay the same, do your homework.  Research each candidate, look up how incumbents voted on education issues.  Talk to teachers.   

It really is important.