Want proof the education reform movement is a non-partisan issue? Just look at the national organization, Democrats for Education Reform. This is a national political action committee, based in new York City "whose mission is to encourage a more productive dialogue within the Democratic Party on the need to fundamentally reform American public education. DFER operates on all levels of government to educate elected officials and support reform-minded candidates for public office."
They have just named Rodney Hubbard, Missouri State Representative (D-58th District, MO), the first Midwest Regional Director. It has been with people like Hubbard, Missouri has seen education reform as a social issue that needs to be corrected in order for children around the state to get the education they need. Hubbard's devotion to the children of St. Louis and the rest of Missouri has been seen. Now the entire Midwest region can hopefully benefit from the passion of Rodney Hubbard.
Hopefully, legislators will listen with their hearts and allow reforms in education to take place.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Dropout Rates Disturbing
When parents think of their child's education, they focus on their children's achievements. A parent would usually know if their son or daughter drops out of school...although that is not always the case. While I think my children do well in school for the most part, I need to be aware of the larger picture. Not only are many of the schools not teaching the children well, the schools are not keeping the kids there.
An article in the St. Louis Post, St. Louis Dropout Rates Skyrockets; Missouri Holds Steady shows me that while some areas are retaining the kids, others are not.
Nearly a fourth of the high school students in St. Louis Public Schools dropped out last school year, according to data to be released by the state today.At 22 percent, it is the single largest spike in city school dropout rates in the last five years, and an 88 percent increase from the prior year.Most area districts reported stable figures this year, or even fewer dropouts, and credited aggressive tactics, including home visits, attendance monitors and even college scholarships. Only the Kansas City district, which estimated its dropout rate at roughly 28 percent, reported numbers worse than St. Louis.
Here is what I see: the schools were not only unaccredited, now they fail to even keep those children in attendance. Now I am sure it is not simply the fault of the schools, but that should be the one angle we can control. We can't control individual parents and children, but we should collectively have an impact on the schools. Why do the public schools spend thousands more per student than the private schools, yet they are failing? Why are there so many people who think we should simply pump more money into the system and that will fix the problem?
We need a change in how the schools and the education system as a whole are run. How many more kids can we afford to have dropout, turn to crime, or live on the streets?
An article in the St. Louis Post, St. Louis Dropout Rates Skyrockets; Missouri Holds Steady shows me that while some areas are retaining the kids, others are not.
Nearly a fourth of the high school students in St. Louis Public Schools dropped out last school year, according to data to be released by the state today.At 22 percent, it is the single largest spike in city school dropout rates in the last five years, and an 88 percent increase from the prior year.Most area districts reported stable figures this year, or even fewer dropouts, and credited aggressive tactics, including home visits, attendance monitors and even college scholarships. Only the Kansas City district, which estimated its dropout rate at roughly 28 percent, reported numbers worse than St. Louis.
Here is what I see: the schools were not only unaccredited, now they fail to even keep those children in attendance. Now I am sure it is not simply the fault of the schools, but that should be the one angle we can control. We can't control individual parents and children, but we should collectively have an impact on the schools. Why do the public schools spend thousands more per student than the private schools, yet they are failing? Why are there so many people who think we should simply pump more money into the system and that will fix the problem?
We need a change in how the schools and the education system as a whole are run. How many more kids can we afford to have dropout, turn to crime, or live on the streets?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
"School Choice is a Social Justice Issue"
Life is filled with many issues that are viewed as simply one sided partisan political issues. School choice is, without a doubt, one issue that needs to be removed from this. Opponents will keep trying to throw their negative spin on it but the school choice movement needs to be stronger than the opponents' negativity.
Several states have passed legislation that allow for a variety of school choice paths. One way to allow for choice is through tax credits. These programs, whether they support special needs children or lower income students, give those children a chance at getting a better education. Howard Fuller, who I have seen speak once, is an incredibly passionate man. He beliefs all children deserve a better education and will stop at nothing to keep the fight strong.
This opinion piece, from the ArizonaStarNet, demonstrates how a tax credit program can effectively help many students. Missouri has tried to get similar legislation passed, but unfortunately, the opponents have spread their negative propaganda and succeeded. The reality needs to seep through their messages...our children are depending on us.
School tax credits deserve more support
Tucson, Arizona Published: 12.02.2008
'School choice is the social-justice issue of the 21st century." The first time I heard these words was not from a politician, but from Howard Fuller, a pioneer in the school-choice movement. Fuller, now a professor at Marquette University, was addressing a small group of educators at Notre Dame this summer.
Fuller contends that school-choice programs enable lower-income students to opt out of poorly performing urban schools and enroll in better performing private schools. It is my experience that Fuller's contention is right on the money, and plays out every day in our Catholic schools.
'School choice is the social-justice issue of the 21st century." The first time I heard these words was not from a politician, but from Howard Fuller, a pioneer in the school-choice movement. Fuller, now a professor at Marquette University, was addressing a small group of educators at Notre Dame this summer.
Fuller contends that school-choice programs enable lower-income students to opt out of poorly performing urban schools and enroll in better performing private schools. It is my experience that Fuller's contention is right on the money, and plays out every day in our Catholic schools.
Several states have passed legislation that allow for a variety of school choice paths. One way to allow for choice is through tax credits. These programs, whether they support special needs children or lower income students, give those children a chance at getting a better education. Howard Fuller, who I have seen speak once, is an incredibly passionate man. He beliefs all children deserve a better education and will stop at nothing to keep the fight strong.
This opinion piece, from the ArizonaStarNet, demonstrates how a tax credit program can effectively help many students. Missouri has tried to get similar legislation passed, but unfortunately, the opponents have spread their negative propaganda and succeeded. The reality needs to seep through their messages...our children are depending on us.
School tax credits deserve more support
Tucson, Arizona Published: 12.02.2008
'School choice is the social-justice issue of the 21st century." The first time I heard these words was not from a politician, but from Howard Fuller, a pioneer in the school-choice movement. Fuller, now a professor at Marquette University, was addressing a small group of educators at Notre Dame this summer.
Fuller contends that school-choice programs enable lower-income students to opt out of poorly performing urban schools and enroll in better performing private schools. It is my experience that Fuller's contention is right on the money, and plays out every day in our Catholic schools.
'School choice is the social-justice issue of the 21st century." The first time I heard these words was not from a politician, but from Howard Fuller, a pioneer in the school-choice movement. Fuller, now a professor at Marquette University, was addressing a small group of educators at Notre Dame this summer.
Fuller contends that school-choice programs enable lower-income students to opt out of poorly performing urban schools and enroll in better performing private schools. It is my experience that Fuller's contention is right on the money, and plays out every day in our Catholic schools.
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