The National Education Association reported:
“Members of Congress will be at home in their districts until September. And, they will want to hear from YOU! As the November election quickly approaches, now is the perfect time to make sure your Representatives in Washington, DC know what is on your mind.”
Neither Congresswomen Louise Slaughter nor Ann Marie Beurkle have shown strong views on education at the pre-college level. The Governor has his Education Committee moving throughout New York gathering testimonies from anyone willing to take the time and make the effort to send them documents or speak before them. What they read and hear will be synthesized into a proposal package and be used to enact legislation that will, supposedly, reform education.
Unfortunately, one strong voice is being heard repeatedly and that is the voice of big business. Yes, there are advocates who are speaking on behalf of the children but they are not many. They are the usual suspects, those that have been working with and within the system for years experiencing victory, the Contract For Excellence, only to see their efforts rescinded.
There is no doubt that both Congresswomen will be hearing from those who would privatize education. There is no doubt that they will be very convincing with their data. The question is, will the Congresswomen hear from those who work to maintain a public school system of education? Will they hear from those who understand that in order for education to work it must be about the children and not the money?
They will hear from those who promote early childhood education and smaller class sizes, but will they hear from those who reject the notion of standardized testing being tied to teacher evaluations? Will they hear from those who believe that learning should be about more than test preparation and finding a job?
America has a great system of checks and balances in place. If something is off balance it is because we are neglecting our duty as citizens.
Our children are suffering from our neglect.
Join the Movement to Save Our Children!
