I think we would be better served...

[FromTheLeft]

Most of the legislation I am hearing about lately from democrats on the issue of Education reform is based around college accessibility. While important I think that we are forgetting about the millions of American children who will never have a chance at college not because of funding, but because of inadequately funded elementary, middle and high schools. NCLB has done more to undermine our teachers ability to teach children how to think creatively so that they can learn on their own than any else piece of legislation passed in the last...ever. I feel that one of the top issues for 06 should be education funding reform so that kids in poorer communities can stop reading text books written before the end of Vietnam.

[bryant69]

1. Yeah

I think that we focus on collage because it's a popular issue with the middle class and upper middle class, while forgetting working class and others who still have lousy schools.

Edna: How do you expect us to teach with these supplies? Well, this pointer's so old, it's worn down to a nub.
Skinner: It still points, doesn't it?
Edna: Stop that! And look at this: the only books we have are ones that were banned by other schools.
Skinner: Well, the kids have to learn about "Tek War" sooner or later.
- The Simpsons, "The PTA Disbands"

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[FromTheLeft]

2. But aren't the working class...

the ones who the democratic party should be fighting for.

[bryant69]

4. I agree

I think we probably are to a certain extent (although we need to do much much more). But I suppose a determination has been made to focus on the college side of our program as the most palatable to the middle and upper middle class. I don't know if politically that's a smart move or not.

A lot of our strategy seems to be based around the fact the teh working class doesn't vote in the numbers that the middle class does. I don't know how much I like that.

[FromTheLeft]

7. They don't vote because neither party talks to them

The majority of the poor don't really care about foreign policy, except when their kids are sent off to war. Most poor care about that which they can touch. Their pay check, health care, and their kids. In may communities kids who graduate high school are the rarity and those who go to college are made fun of, that is the part of that culture that needs to be changed.

[AutumnMist]

3. :(

We are having yet another school close here in central Ohio, Due to "lack of funds". The parents are furious. But you know even the schools here in our part of town are terrible. The kids can hardly pass their grades, let alone spell correctly. And thats not being judgmental. I was shocked by our assessment tests this last year. We need more volunteers to step up and help these children read and write. The funding is a pipe dream. I don't think the elementary schools and even middle schools will be funded like they should be. The money always goes to other things. Sad all the way around.

[FromTheLeft]

5. I say we take it from the rich...

Schools current funding comes mainly from local property taxes. This means richer neighborhoods=richer schools. That is fundamentally against the ideal that the government has to provide us with equal access to primary education and is a smack in the face to everyone who understands that separate isn't equal. This time its not about race its about income.

[AutumnMist]

6. See I Agree

The thing that is making parents so angry here is that in our school district (the school thats closing)there was a levy passed to raise 3.8 million a year. For the schools. And they are still closing it. It sucks. It sucks because it goes to the admin first and then the kids last. As much as it is not popular in some circles...my husband and I have talked about homeschooling. Its a rough thing here in our neck of the woods.