My "Edu-rant" For the New Year

[ptapeep]

I have to go off on an edu-rant here. In Kentucky, our Governor has just announced that he will "spare" education in the next round of budget cuts. Spare education? Excuse my ignorance, but doesn't the term imply a magnamous gesture of sorts, a "I will spare you from execution, but..." So I am concerned. What will be expected of us now? I don't know about the rest of you, and where you reside, but as a PTA district president, time and time again, our parents and teachers are being asked to suppliment educational materials. There are never enough pencils or glue sticks, there are never enough extra books to read, there is never enough of anything. Some classrooms in some schools are state of the art, with laptops for each child and a smart board too boot. Some classrooms, well...not so much. I just blogged about this at length at my Blog from the Bluegrass and on the local Moms Like Me website, because I am miffed. I have been a parent for just over eleven years, and education has not gotten any better. I have taught as an adjunct faculty member in a community college, and education did not prepare those kids for college. I have watched as families struggle to buy food and school supplies, coming up short time and time again, I have watched countless PTA volunteers and advocates spend their time as classroom assistants, as mentors, as fundraiser organizers to feel as if they are Sisiphus pushing that rather large boulder up that very steep hill. When 2010 arrived I thought, maybe it's time for a kinder, gentler PTAPEEP, one without grey hair and migraines, one who can say, I've fought the good fight, I can rest. But sadly, nope. Not gonna happen. I know that there has got to be a change. That I am not the lone voice in the night. I know that others are as perplexed about the state of education as I am. That we are challenged to prepare our children for a global economy, yet they are dropping out of school at 16 and being a burden on our local economy. I know that my children would either be behind or ahead if they moved across country depending on the location and the state of that budget for education (perhaps they weren't as fortunate to be spared...California comes to mind...). So while we are asked to do more, our government does...less? While we champion the cause of children in whatever parent group you belong too, and I hope you belong to something, and ask for more arts education (sorry no funding), more physical activity in school (sorry, no funding), the drop out rate to change from 16 to 18 (sorry, no funding)...our children are left behind. As parents, do you supplement the lack of arts by sending your kids to an after school art class? Do you sign your kids up for soccer, basketball, anything, to get them moving? Do you shake your head when you go into a fast food restaurant and the manager is young enough to be your teenage son or daughter? I don't have an immediate solution to the frustration you must feel, but I do want to reassure you that you are not alone. That we must unite and take back our schools. It is time to be engaged and involved. It is time to say "everychild.onevoice" (the National PTA motto) and actually mean it. To put those words into action.

Whew. Maybe I should have resolved to cut back on the coffee and not read the paper. then again...

[flocay]

I totally share your frustration. I have been a teacher for almost 20 years now, in 5 different countries. There are a lot of similarities in other countries but let me tell you, things here in the United States are sometimes really worrying. Education is really not take seriously by our leaders and then we expect kids to go to school and think highly of it when every penny that can be "spared" gets taken out of the education budgets into God knows what is "more important".
Despite this, we still need to instill in our kids some form of passion for learning so that they see the value of school... and still see it as a privilege despite everything!
Keep at it!

[ptapeep]

I know that balancing a budget, any budget is difficult. What worries me is the "promise" of Race to the Top funds, or SEEK formulas. Every state is eligible for those funds, it is a big grant process. We all have filled out grant applications. No matter how great your application is or how worthwhile you think your program is there is no guarantee that you will receive that grant. So what do you do? Budget as if the grant doesn't exist. Yet it seems as if our states are thinking that the grant is part of the budget. Sure, here in KY our district (Jefferson County) may not be as heavily impacted as another county, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be concerned. I worry about the school district that needs new facilities desperately but will have to wait. Or the district that needs books but will have to wait. How long do they wait? What happens when there are more cuts? What happens when the money doesn't come thru the RTT? I know I don't have answers, but there have to be better solutions.

[StephanySampson]

My husband's brother is a teacher in the public school system, so I've heard some about all of these frustrations. The district and the board have to deal with the budget cuts, and it creates such a problem. I know that a moratorium was placed on getting new books for my husband's brother's school. It's a shame.

[BRoxMum]

This nation needs a huge wake up call! Education is a worthwhile investment!

PTAPeep - keep fighting. We need more voices like yourself. I'm frustrated that so many people feel like you and myself but very few step up and get their hands dirty.

[ptapeep]

Linda, it can be extremely frustrating no doubt. Here in KY we just had a rally at the capitol "Children's Advocacy Day" many, many, many, groups (including but not limited to PTA) were there to let our elected officials know that we need to put our children first, in health initiatives, in education, in family support...I was able to bring my son (11) and three other students went along. We met with our Senator, other officials, the Lt. Gov and the Gov. My son was so jazzed! He interviewed and talked with all of these "big guys" about what he and his friends need. WOW! Then THE VERY NEXT DAY, it was announced that due to the budget issues, 2 days will be cut from the school calendar. WHAT? KY has one of the shortest education cycles in the nation, we only have 177 academic days to start with, and this year, due to severe weather, there are some counties that have already lost 30 days of academic instruction. We cannot compromise education. In this state we have proposed legislation that will increase the drop out age from 16 to 18 (I know, you are shocked that it is even acceptable for kids to quit school at 16....), our First Lady has initiated a Drop Out Prevention program, we have increased support for pre k education (support, not funds), and then this? and although even our own Superintendent of Education has spoken against this two day cut, we all know once those words have been spoken it is easier to go with it instead of against it, to let that idea roll around in your head....I have literally built a playground, filling holes with dirt so children can have physical activity, I have run bookfairs so children can have books to read to increase literacy efforts, I fold and wash donated clothing so children can have garments to wear to school so they will not miss educational opportunities, I write op ed pieces, trudge through snow to talk to elected officials, host spelling bees, workshops, and I do it because my children, Seth, Jonah, and Finn are not statistics, they and their friends and classmates deserve the very best that we adults have to offer. Our children are not an afterthought and they need to be respected and valued. whew. another edurant....boy, won't DC be a pip in two weeks....

http://www.courier-journal.com/artic...NEWS01/2180353

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...ID=20102190365

http://www.courier-journal.com/artic...balance+budget

[ptapeep]

Okay, so it gets even better. Sure the Governor is sparing education, but not the rest of our Legislature!
http://www.wfpl.org/2010/02/23/house...ducation-cuts/
I'm not sure where they are getting their information, but KY has one of the shortest school calendars in the nation. In fact, in other countries the average is 200 days of academic instruction. When I balance my personal/family budget my children's needs are always taken into consideration first and we do not sacrifice them ever. Why is it then acceptable for our elected officials to do so?

[BRoxMum]

I started to respond to your post but it's content isn't appropriate for a public forum. Our state of Florida could care less too because the elderly here have already paid for their children's education in New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island.... Why should they pay taxes for children here? SELFISH! I wish I knew how to shift the minds of those who don't recognize the value of investing in education.

BTW - I'm considering a bid for PTA President and I'm not even on the board.

[ptapeep]

I hear ya! Linda, sounds like you need to sign up to go to MomCongress!

[BRoxMum]

I did sign up for MOMCongress!

Oh and I let the powers that be know I want to be PTA Prez next year. I was basically told it's mine but we have to wait and see if someone else shows interest? Now I need to figure out what I'm in for. lol

I'd love to pick your brain. I've been scouring PTA websites from across the nation seeing what they do and noting what stands out. My biggest hurdle will be officers and parent involvement. It's a very loose crew right now with all of the same people. This is the 1st year our school is a "neighborhood school" so it's really like we're starting from scratch. I was thinking I really need to nab the support of incoming K parents (beyond buying membership cards) and get some follow through as far as physical support.

What I'm asking is....any tested and approved ways to successfully recruit?