Time Out for Tallahassee
The PTA Rally in Tally is almost here. Next week, on Thursday, March 25th, thousands of Education Advocates will stand together and tell our legislators that we place a high value on public education.
Moms and Dads who have plenty to do at home have made the decision that they have to fight for the children of this state. We know in our hearts that if we don't take up this challenge, our kids and our state will never rise above the bottom of the list.
Florida might rank 8th overall in Education Week's Quality Counts Report at being able to set high standards, but not for achieving them and not for college readiness: Florida earned a dismal 50 out of 100 points. An 8th place rank doesn't mean much given America's rank in the world: U.S. Students rank 24th in math and 21st in science among the 30 industrialized nations.
All this because schools are not preparing students for college: Florida's students can earn a high school diploma and still not meet the minimum college admissions requirements to any state university.
We know that the philosophy of piling on expensive high-stakes testing, cutting budgets, imposing unfunded mandates and punishing schools, teachers and children if they don't make predetermined achievement gains has hurt public education in Florida.
Legislators, you need to sit in the time-out chair. Sit and think about what you are doing. Who benefits from your actions? How can you proceed without a serious plan for education funding knowing that next year the stimulus money will be gone?
The Rally in Tally is our time to tell our legislators that enough is enough. If you're coming to Tallahassee, please make your appointments now. If you can't join us, please make plans on March 25th to call your delegation and the two education committees in the house and senate to voice your opinion.
Go to our website and sign our Education Petition.
It states that: "I believe in the power of Article IX, Section 1 of the Florida Constitution. I believe that every child in this state has the civil right to a high-quality, safe, efficient, uniform and adequately funded system of public education. I believe in using my vote to elect candidates who support these beliefs and place their oath of office to serve the People of Florida above any political party or special interest."
Legislators should realize that when moms and dads are unhappy enough to leave their homes and their kids to make a point, it's serious. When voters are taking the time to call, write and tell all of their friends, there's a reason. Legislators take an oath to the people this state. That's nothing compared to the promise we made as parents on the day our kids were born.
We can do this. We're voters. Let's tell them to Fund Education Now. No Excuses.