Bigger, Harder, They All Must Fall

If a leader in government is surrounded by corruption and is unaware that it exists, then that leader is incompetent and should not be in office.

If a leader in government is surrounded by corruption and is aware that it exists, then that leader is also corrupt and should not be in office.

We do not need laws that force our political leaders to have integrity. We deserve leaders who come into office with integrity. If Governor Cuomo does not understand this, he is part of the problem and must step down.

If New York State if rife with corruption, it is not illogical to assume that every state in the Union is replete with corruption. And, if the head of State government is incompetent and/or corrupt, it is reasonable to assume that local and federal government is incompetent and/or corrupt as well.

The body follows the head and in this case the head is our Congress, which is duty bound to uphold the Constitution that guarantees the rights of every American. Currently however, private audience is granted to “BB” and associates while the common man wishing to speak to their Congressional and Senate representatives is siphoned off to aids, advisers, and liaisons.

From local to federal government, the common man is only valued during election time when we are asked to work for candidates and vote.

Accountability of political leadership is almost nonexistent at every level and the layers of inefficient and ineffective policies they produce serve “BB”, not the American citizenry.

It becomes understandable then that our political leaders and their financial supporters wish to keep the American people mis-educated and uninvolved in their government.

It is time that we, as Americans, regain our strength and power to become the government of these United States. Our children deserve the freedoms guaranteed them by our Constitution. We must begin to provide our children with an excellent, child centered, free and public education so that they will be able to become political leaders with integrity and intelligently vote for political leaders with integrity.

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Constitutionally Guaranteed

Under the Constitution of the United States, we have rights:

1. Freedom of speech
2. Bear arms
3. Not house soldiers in time of peace
4. No unlawful search and seizure
5. Trial by jury
6. Speedy trial
7. Common law trial by jury
8. No excessive bail, fines, or punishment
9. Numbers don’t restrict amendments
10. State’s and citizen power
11. Judicial power
12. The Electoral College
13. Abashment of slavery
14. Life, liberty, property
Voting rights – age
Protection against treason
War debt obligation
Congressional power
15. Voting rights – race, creed, color
16. Tax collection
17. Senate rules and regulations
18. Prohibition
19. Voting rights – sex
20. The terms of the President and Vice-President
21. Repeals the 18th amendment
22. Presidential term limit
23. District of Columbia political representation
24. Voting rights – primary elections
25. Presidential vacancy of office
26. Voting age – 18
27. Compensation of Senators and Representatives

While the constitution guarantees the rights of adults, it does not guarantee that the adults with rights will have the knowledge and understanding necessary to fully comprehend their responsibilities as American citizens.

We have come to a time in America where we realize that education is a RIGHT of all human beings and yet we leave something so crucial to the effective and efficient management of our nation to happenstance and privilege.

Our country has been controlled by the attitude of privilege since its beginning. The formation of the Electoral College came about because those in power convinced the general populous that they were not informed enough to make proper political decisions concerning leadership.

The education of our children must become a guaranteed constitutional right. Education must be federally regulated and it must be a free and public education that focuses on the developmental capabilities of the child.

Governor Cuomo is correct, we no longer live in an agrarian society. Families move from state to state following careers and lifestyle choices. Education can no longer be the responsibility of individual states.

Without federal regulation, education accountability is impossible. Without federal regulation, privatization is certain and public schooling will be left to manage the misfits of the 21st century workforce.

Our children deserve the Constitutional right to an excellent, child centered education.

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Pottersville The Remake

“The Greatest Gift“, written by Philip Van Doren Stern in 1939, and privately published by the author in 1945 was the inspiration for the movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life” produced in 1946.

One of the most loved films of all times, George Bailey, being told by Mr. Potter, the regions wealthiest man, that he was worth more dead than alive decides to commit suicide to save his family’s bank and the town from falling into the hands of Potter. Clarence the angel saves him by showing him that his worth is not measured in dollars but in his integrity and humanity. In the end, all of the people he helped, help him, the bank and the town are saved and Clarence earns his wings.

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo came to Rochester to lay out his plans for our children and New York State.

For our children he wants longer days and a longer school year. The governor has been told and believes that if our children are in school for twelve hours a day, 200 days a year that the graduation rate will increase and our children will be better educated. Unfortunately, a high truancy and drop out rate tells us that it makes no sense increase the time children spend in school when they don’t even attend school during regular hours.

For New York State, he wants gambling casinos.

With Governor Cuomo leading us, New York’s future is as bleak as that of Bedford Falls without George Baily.

Our children will be in school all day so their parents can work in the casino’s without having to worry about them. Children will graduate knowing that their career will be dealing cards or serving drinks in the wonderful world of the rising moderate to middle class.

In 1946 we were shown two different views of the world. One in which humanity and integrity rule and the other in which “BB” is in control.

Our children deserve an excellent system of education, not more time in a failing one. Our State deserves to be great because of its great citizens.

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The Political Attitude Toward Education Reform

In trying to inform and enlighten our political leaders as to the state of education and what can be done to improve the system of education for every child in America, this response was received from our elected officials.

Assemblymen Morelli and Gantt are still pushing for mayoral control so that they can control RCSD dollars.

Governor Cuomo’s office refused to meet with a consortium of concerned community activists who have worked tirelessly to research and address the problems education faces and provide relevant, effective, and efficient solutions to those problems.

Instead, the Governor’s New Education Committee produced a list of recommendations that simply reface our current corporate model of education, providing our children with the same failing system of education.

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter’s office granted the consortium a meeting which Congresswoman Slaughter did not attend. Another meeting was requested in February with Congresswoman Slaughter however her office has yet to respond to the consortium’s request.

This is the type of apathetic attitude of our elected leaders that has brought educational failure to our nation. When our elected leaders cannot see and understand the importance of an excellent education that centers of the gifts and talents of our children, then it is time for a changing of the guards.

Currently our government is replete with politicians that have the corporate best interest in mind and are willing to sell our children’s future for mere millions in order to fill the business order for a 21st Century workforce.

It is up to the American people, the government of the United States, to expose and eliminate the corporate influence on our current political structure.

It is up to the American people to break free of the habit of voting for a party and use their vote to elect those leaders who acknowledge the necessity of an excellent child centered education for all of our children.

Our children deserve a government that cares about them and their future.

Our children deserve political leaders who care about them and their future.

Our children deserve an excellent, child centered education.

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Budget Breakdown

Unchanged:
Supplemental Public Excess Cost Aid
Teachers of Tomorrow Initiative
School Health Services
Employment Preparation Education Aid
Bilingual Education
Foundation Aid
Special Services Aid
Employment Preparation Education
Urban-Suburban Transfer
Bilingual Education Grants
Education of OMH/OPWDD Pupils
Learning Technology Grants
Bus Driver Safety
Roosevelt School District
Basic Education for Public Assistance Recipients
Children of Migrant Workers
NYS Center for School Safety
Health Education Program
Primary Mental Health Project
Student Mentoring-Tutoring Program
Academic Intervention for Nonpublic Schools
Summer School Program for Disabled Students
Summer Food Program
Math and Science High Schools
Small Government Assistance to School districts
EXCEL-related Debt Service – $181.76 million ($127.02 for New York City)

Increased:
Private Excess Cost Aid – $38.89 million
Aid for BOCES – $20.73 million
Expense-based Transportation Aid – 60.87 million
Full-day Kindergarten Conversion Aid – $13.83 million
Library Materials – $0.47 million
Computer Software Aid – $0.96 million
Building Aid – $69.22 million
Competitive Grants – $50.0 million
Textbook Aid – $2.29 million
Instructional Computer Hardware and Technology Equipment $0.84 million
Education of Homeless Children – $3.0 million
Aid for Incarcerated Youth – $.50 million
Education of Native Americans – $7.69 million
Adult Literacy Education – $300,000
Lunch/Breakfast Programs – 700,000

Decreased:
Charter School Transitional Aid – $1.14 million
Reorganization Incentive Operating Aid – $0.29 million
High Tax Aid – $50.03 million
Consortium for Worker Education – $1.50 million
Private Schools for the Blind and Deaf – $2.20 million

Added:
Universal Prekindergarten Aid $385.03 million
Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention – $24.34 million (Competitive Grant)
Preschool Special Education – $46.80 million
Center for Autism and Related Services – $740,000
Targeted Special Education Teacher Salary Supplement – $4.0 million
Fiscal Stabilization Fund – $203.47 (One time relief for 2013-14 school year)

Funded Outside of School Aid:
Full-day Pre-kindergarten Program – $25 million
School-wide Extended Learning – $20.0 million
Community School – $15.0 million
Improved Science and Math Education – $11.0 million
Early College High School Programs – $4.0 million

With Building and Transportation aid receiving the largest amount of our educational dollars and the Governor’s budget allotting $3,7l6.21 per student for Universal Pre-K, nearly one-third the national average for per pupil spending according to 08-09 statistics, it is not difficult to determine the central focus of Governor Cuomo and his New Education Commission, the business of education.

We must stand, as a nation, and raise our voice against “BB” and its attempt to control our children and our nation.

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Old Tricks From An Old Perspective

Rachel Barnhart of the Rochesterian, tweeted that David Gantt has reintroduced the Mayoral Control bill.

Of course he would, we have not elected new leaders. The same leaders that Assemblyman Gantt and Morelli expect to support their corporate agenda are still in power.

Ms. Barnhart is incorrect when she says, “everyone who previously supported mayoral control when it was first floated in 2010 has jumped ship.” Not only have they not jumped ship, they’re ramping up their efforts against the movement to reform education so that it focuses on the child and not their corporate bottom line.

In fact, both Assemblymen understand that there is a real movement happening to reform education and it is gaining momentum. If they don’t get control of the system now, they may lose it forever. And, if “BB” loses control over the education of our children, they can no longer count on their “21st Century workforce” to ensure their profits.

Governor Cuomo, Assemblymen Gantt and Morelli, and every other elected official along with their appointees who support the corporate reform agenda are doing their best to make sure they maintain control of the educational process that has failed to properly educate any of America’s children while concentrating its mis-education strategies on those they wish to remain impoverished, guaranteeing profits from private support agencies that should be free for every American.

No, “BB” supporters have not jumped ship but are taking on passengers wherever they can find them. Fortunately, it is becoming more and more difficult to elicit support from the 99% that are beginning to recognize that their children are more valuable to the world as human beings than workers in an uncaring, standardized, corporate system.

It is encouraging to know that the movement to effectively and efficiently reform education so that it concentrates on the gifts and talents of the child is gaining such momentum that those who support the failing corporate system of education feel the need to push back.

The American people are realizing that “WE” are powerful as long as we stand together for our children, and our nation.

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The State of Cuomo’s Education Plan

Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address publicly supported the findings of his self appointed Education Commission and the corporate agenda in education that has failed and continues to fail to provide an excellent education to our children.

As Governor Cuomo speaks about education, he outlines the reforms and programs that he feels will enhance our system of education. His main points of reform, longer time in school, more early education, and teacher performance and evaluation.

Governor Cuomo says that our children should spend more time in school like Korea and Canada, and New York State will cover 100% of the cost of extending the day, or year, or both to all of its districts. No wonder districts were so anxious to sign on. More money for adults not more education for children.

Governor Cuomo called for “real” re-k for all children. What is “real” pre-K? New York State will provide full day Pre-Kindergarten services for all children. There was no mention made of the State providing any money to districts to affect this change.

Finally, the Governor proposes to incentivize teaching because helping children realize and direct their potential greatness isn’t incentive enough.

Nowhere in his message on education did Governor Cuomo mention children. Nowhere does he mention a child centered form of education. Nowhere does he mention current research on childhood development and learning. He does not mention the Universal Design for Learning principles or guidelines. There is no mention of the arts and music being crucial to the healthy development of the child.

Governor Cuomo did have one more plan for education. Increase the number of gambling establishments in New York State and 90% of the revenue will support education. The current gambling structure supports education and yet we are still struggling to provide our children with an excellent education.

It is obvious that Governor Cuomo and his Education Commission are not interested in providing our children with an excellent education.

It is obvious that our children deserve political leaders who place their educational needs before the financial needs of big business.

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The Power of Poverty

Imagine a music program that begins in Third Grade with the students, after researching different types of instruments and using recycled materials, building their own instruments of choice.

Now imagine that child choosing to advance into the next level of that program to learn how to tune, care for, and play the instrument created. There is no doubt the engagement is there, the desire is there, the gift and the talent will show itself.

This type of experiential, child centered learning connects the child to the environment, providing a vision that sees the potential beauty in everyone and everything.

It is necessary that our educational leaders recognize the urgency with which our current corporate structured system of education must be reformed. A child centered system of education frees our children from being controlled by worker-bee mentality.

Governor Cuomo and his Education Commission support the corporate model of education as does Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. It is unclear what Congress supports since ESEA Reform has been tabled since 2010 and, as written, for Congress to support it would mean that Congress and therefore, the President supports more corporate reform to their already failing corporate system of education.

Our political and appointed leaders must begin to listen to and acknowledge the power of those that can see the beauty within our children and understand that education reform means changing the direction of education and focusing on the gifts and talents of the child. It means using our resources to provide an excellent public education to all of our children no matter the cost because research has proven, the benefit far outweighs the investment.

As responsible citizens, it is our duty to seek out, elect and appoint those leaders that will take us in the direction of our children’s successful educational future to ensure the successful future of America.

Providing a child centered education is the only way to achieve a united, strong, economically sound America. Selecting leaders that support a child centered education starts us in the right direction.

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Transparency and Accountability

It is apparent that neither Governor Cuomo’s NYS Education Commission nor the experts on whose testimony they relied to determine and prioritize their list of action items, are unfamiliar with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s 2010 ESEA Reform proposal which repeatedly refers to the Universal Design for Learning principles as guidelines for States and LEA’s to create and implement their systems, plans, programs, and policies.

The Universal Design for Learning Principles are:

• Principle I: Provide Multiple Means of Representation – there is not one means of representation that will be optimal for all learners; providing options for representation is essential.

• Principle II: Provide Multiple Means of Action and Expression – there is not one means of action and expression that will be optimal for all learners; providing options for action and expression is essential.

• Principle III: Provide Multiple Means of Engagement – there is not one means of engagement that will be optimal for all learners in all contexts; providing multiple options for engagement is essential.

The Commission’s action proposal mentions high quality not diversity, more time, not more engagement, technology, not multiple learning modalities, and transparency and accountability for leadership, not all stakeholders in the educational process.

With the exception of Action Plan #2, which is later reversed by Action Plan #7, not one plan aligns with or even seems to consider the UDL principles.

We know that education reform is imminent. We know that Secretary Duncan has a proposal for reform on the table. We know that the proposal refers specifically to the UDL principles as a guideline for States and LEA’s to construct the form and function of their educational systems.

Wouldn’t it be wise and prudent of our educational leaders to at least familiarize themselves with the likely direction of education and work to align their action plan with that direction, making it possible to collaborate with and adhere to future federal guidelines?

Our children deserve educational leaders that will recognize and fight for their right to an excellent education that focuses on their gifts and talents so that all stakeholders can achieve success.

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The Whole Truth

Soon, Governor Cuomo’s Education Commission will release the findings from the hearings that have been held throughout New York State.

The mission of the Commission:

To examine the current structure of the state’s education system through the lens of what is in the best interest of students;

To comprehensively review and assess New York State’s education system, including its structure, operation and processes

To uncover(ing) successful models and strategies and develop(ing) long-term efficiencies that will create significant savings while improving student achievement and providing students a high-quality education;

To explore best practices and models from other states and nations that could be implemented in New York

The Commission will:

Explore best practices and models from other states and nations that could be implemented in New York;

Study ways to strengthen teacher recruitment and performance; improve student achievement; increase parent and family engagement; use technology in the classroom; help high-need and low-wealth school communities; and manage educational funding and costs

While this Commission could have been the first step in true education reform, it showed itself to be yet another smoke screen of “BB” to cajole the public into thinking that they have our children’s best interest at heart.

The truth:

The experts called to testify were hand picked by members of the Commission or their staff

Though the public is led to believe that they have access to all submitted written and oral testimonies, via the Commission’s web site, only those written and oral testimonies chosen by the Commission’s staff are made available for viewing and listening.

Videos of the hearings are incomplete and/or missing

Hand picking your witnesses to testify on your behalf to justify your program’s relevance to education is not a comprehensive examination of the system of education, it is a blatant attempt to build the coffers of “BB” by using our children to promote their products.

The Education Commission is without integrity. If the body has no integrity, the head has no integrity.

Governor Cuomo and his Education Commission are “putting our students first” in their slave labor market.

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