Public Schools Need a Bailout

[proud2BlibKansan]

By RANDI WEINGARTEN

A number of sectors of the economy appear to be bouncing back. Housing starts, home foreclosures and job creation all show movement in the right direction. But the fiscal situation in most states will not improve for quite some time. And, for public schools, the coming year promises to be the worst yet of the economic downturn.

Years of budget cuts in the vast majority of school districts already have taken their toll, with sharp reductions in after-school programs, academic enrichment and other so-called extras. Most states have exhausted their federal stimulus funds, and many states long ago tapped out their financial reserves. School districts now are cutting into bone, eliminating classroom teachers and core academic offerings like foreign languages.

According to a survey of more than 80% of school districts by the American Association of School Administrators, 275,000 teachers and other school staff will receive pink slips. It's not that these schools will educate fewer children, or that students won't need the personnel and programs that will be cut. But the cuts could rob an entire generation of students of the well-rounded education they need and deserve. Class sizes will swell, and students will lose important classes and programs, such as art, music, physical education, Advanced Placement classes, and counseling and intervention programs for those who need the most help.

I have been traveling the country, watching teachers, administrators and unions striving to implement some of the most progressive and effective reform efforts in decades. But genuine school reform can't be accomplished with fewer teachers, unmanageable class sizes, and fewer intervention programs for struggling students. Children don't have a pause button—they need a great education during good economic times and bad.

more . . . http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703957904575252760030285560.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEFTTopOpinion

[MichiganVote]

1. They don't care, our Congress. They just don't care.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Damn. Don't make me agree to that.

I'd rather be in denial.

[MichiganVote]

3. Me too honey. Me too.

[Catshrink]

4. Hey, they can't spare $ for schools

they have a war on and have to give the bankers more money and now there's this big disaster in the Gulf they have to clean up because BP will end up not taking responsibility for it. Schools will always be at the bottom of the list -- kids don't vote.

[Wednesdays]

5. However, the parents vote...and they'll be damned to vote a millage increase

"...to waste money on such a lousy educational system and lousy teachers!" :banghead:

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. The campaign to destroy public education is working

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. No one cares about the kids

No one passing legislation.

We've been lobbying for YEARS to have our mandatory attendance age lowered from 7 to 5. But every year there is another ridiculous reason why it doesn't pass. And it's such a no brainer. Meanwhile kids don't have to come to school till they are 7 and you and I both know how far behind they are by that age.

[mmonk]

8. Public schools are "big government".

:sarcasm:

[madfloridian]

9. I am hoping that 23 billion being talked about does not come with strings attached....

like Arne's 4.3 billion bonus does.

Recommended.

[RainDog]

10. public libraries and universities are also being hit with freezes and lay offs

when people need their services more than ever in a bad job market.

[laughingliberal]

11. K & R nt

[mzteris]

12. here ya go...

President Obama wants Congress to pass emergency education funding legislation that would provide $23 billion to preserve teacher jobs in the face of massive impending layoffs across the country.

"We are gravely concerned that ongoing state and local budget challenges are threatening hundreds of thousands of teacher jobs for the upcoming school year, with estimates ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 education jobs at risk," Education Secretary Arne Duncan wrote in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

"Without swift action, millions of children will experience these budget cuts in one way or another through reductions in class time; cuts to early childhood programs, extracurricular activities, and summer school; and reduced course offerings as teachers are laid off," the letter continued.

**********

The Keep Our Educators Working Act (S. 3206) will:

* Provide $23 billion to help school districts avert educator layoffs in the upcoming school year;
* Make sure that our children’s education is not shortchanged by the economic crisis; and
* Enable districts to continue to implement positive programs to help ensure that all students receive the great education they deserve.

Urgent! Call Now!

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was enacted one year ago. The law helped stabilize a rapidly declining economy, provided a lifeline where none existed, and helped reduce the harmful impact of the recession on many vulnerable people.

More needs to be done. The unemployment rate remains at nearly 10 percent, and many members of our communities continue to struggle. We must take additional steps to provide relief. Failure to preserve and create jobs will endanger our economic progress and threaten any sustainable recovery. And, in the absence of immediate assistance, state legislatures looking to bridge huge budget gaps may make decisions that could have long-term harmful results.

Complete the form below to be connected to your Senator’s office (we’ll provide a sample script for you).

http://www.aft.org/click2call/jobs_senate.cfm

[madfloridian]

13. It should have no demands included, like raising the cap on charters.

Or merit pay for teachers.

If it includes such, it will just hasten the demise of public education.

[kiva]

14. But how will that benefit politicians?

Will public schools donate big $$$ to both parties? Will Xe make money? Will Wall Street profit? If not, don't bother to apply.