Common Cause: Enough is Enough

[proud2BlibKansan]

On July 30, thousands of citizens who worry about the impact of federal policy upon public education will unite at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. in common cause to say enough is enough.

In the last few years, we’ve seen millions of federal and foundation dollars pour into education nonprofits, charter management companies, and corporate test prep pockets at the expense of children in our regular public schools. Meanwhile, we’ve stepped backward in our efforts to provide pre-school education to even our most needy children. The arts have been downsized and eliminated in many school districts across the country sending a strong message to young people about the value of our culture to the nation. Unlike their parents’ generation, today’s students often are assessed fees to participate in all things extracurricular so that districts can continue to offer athletic, club, and after-school programs. Hundreds of thousands of educational positions have been cut despite an increasing number of students attending schools across the country. Teachers are demoralized by the constant barrage of negative stories promoted by a media that seems to be swayed more by corporate headquarters than the reality of classrooms of dedicated educators. We’ve seen more and more focus on standardization of “one size fits all” curricula, testing programs, and instructional expectations. The art and science of teaching has been reduced to a checklist. Programs of excellence such as the National Writing Project have lost full funding from the federal government. And, America’s children have become the most tested generation in the world’s history.

Perhaps some participate in this due to ignorance. Some may be in it to make money. A few may desire to preserve a status quo of classicism. Others may simply think it’s the right path to take.

We know, however, that if we were doing the right thing, the world would be on our doorstep trying to figure out how to copy our educational work. It happens in many other sectors, but not education. Instead, no major country in the world sees emulation of our current educational programming as worthwhile.

more . . . http://coopcatalyst.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/bloggermarchs-common-cause-enough-is-enough/