RSS
Home
The resounding arrogance of education reform
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
For years Americans have been anxious to have improvements made to our educational system - with the US having one of the highest percentages of high school dropouts in a developed country, the question of how this could happen always foreshadows the tangible issues of our democracy. Our pride along with our knowledge of what we can achieve instills in us, the can do attitude. However the propellant scientific and technological genre requires that we identify the issues to compete successfully that is if we can consider the idea of surpassing those countries that are leading in academia right now. Simply put the throngs of our educational activism, and progressives initiatives have yet to latch on and reinforce the values that we need to succeed based on our present results. A reinstatement of our brand needs to be made by every citizen, advocate, politician, educator and student from head to toe if we are to sustain our children and grandchildren’s futures.Right now educational reform has been consistently knocked, and kicked around, while political posturing and aggrandizement has been a mainstay by both parties, past and some present. Although with the election of Obama, and key state legislators in congress, senate and local government there is now aggressive initiatives to make strides in education - while hoping that partisan boredom will takeover those legislators who consistently keep their foot in the door for reform.
NJ has had its share of issues with proponents of the Abbott legislation versus those that support Governor Corzine’s education reform bill. Additionally, some in NJ’s US congressional seats have also pushed away from the steps required for educational reform with a stiff no vote to the stimulus monies that provide the much needed funding to for our public school’s technology, infrastructure, special education, and costs to prevent teacher layoffs. Those who voted against the federal recovery act for NJ included John Adler-D (3rd district), Robert Adams-R (1st district), Scott Garret-R (5th district), Leonard Lance-R (7th district), and Frank LoBiondo-R (2nd district). Their no votes acted as conservative stalwarts to the states educational progress. By doing so they ignored the failed policies that once championed the GOP’s mantra of tax cuts and deregulation often termed, Reagonomics. An economic process that overlooked the needs of middle class funding, public advocacy and most importantly academic challenges of our countries school system. This incendiary course has forced American’s into a cold reality. While the GOP has been non-plussed with the economic hardship of families now demanding a stronger economic state. The economic crisis has been a bitter pill for many of us who did not vote for Bush, or Reagan, where we are all seething with contempt of having to rationalize and resolve the poor decisions made to benefit the rich, and the well to do.
It actually is quite amazing to witness the resounding arrogance of some red state’s vitreous liable when denying the very funding that is needed by their recessed school system. Even though the recovery funds would not completely redeem their ravaged schools. The stimulus monies would ensure that the children in South Carolina (SC) for example, would receive the support to move closer to their peers in other states academically.
Especially, when SC has a disproportionate number of African-American (AA), and Latino (LA) children unable to read in the fourth grade, (89% AA, 71% LA), while their White counterparts are no doing no better. Mr. Sanford the governor of SC has yet to recognize that putting politics ahead of the challenges of his state’s school children will do little to lend himself to a successful presidential bid, or reelection to the governorship for that matter.
It is however ill conceived to hope that the citizens of South Carolina will embark on their nation’s capitol and demand better for their children. No resounding alarms or cries can be heard - the silence from SC citizens along with the likes from those in New Orleans are eerily deafening, even Alaskans took to the streets when Palin rejected (or waffled) some of stimulus dollars. It is odd since the movement of activism by African-Americans and Latinos are now needed to vocally admonish their political advocates’ decisions through mass media networks, and all other mediums. Their campaign is needed to rectify the disproportionate number of state dollars, and stimulus monies not being utilized to support the disenfranchised children of the state, who have yet to find a voice in a state full of political drones. One would think that in a region where the civil rights movement bloomed and benefited many - residents of Loriens, Douchester, and Marion counties would admonish the South Carolinian state government for their ill vetted decisions.
On the other hand New Jersey has made strides in its educational system, with a rank of number one in public funding per student ($14,011), however with all the tax dollars spent there is little efficiency in our educational budget. Although we are better off than the educational system in South Carolina, we however do not have much to brag about. With NJ having 54% of our public school children not able to read, and 48% of them are underachieving in math, both groups representing the 4th grade. These results should not be commended, but rather chided due to the inefficiency in managing educational progress and tax dollars ill spent. NJ expects to gather exponential benefits from the federal Recovery Act however, GOP opponents such as former US Attorney and GOP gubernatorial contender Mr. Christie continues to sell NJ residents the same short and poorly advised agenda for refuting stimulus dollars for GOP ideological gains. Right now, the changes to NJ educational system is in flux with a new ruling from the state’s courts now giving Gov. Corzine's school funding reform bill a second constitutional chance. This however would help eliminate the teeth in the Abbott legislation, and the act would clearly be rescinded by those who support the measure. At this point it should be recognized that educational reform will not come without sacrifice, however what we would not give for the benefit of our children and this country are limitless - as Colin Powell said “education is a matter of national and economic security”. Let’s hope that sooner or later both sides of the aisle will recognize this before its too late.
For more info: US Graduation Rates, SC K-12 Statistics, NJ K-12 Statistics, NJ Education Reform
HELP FIND JASMINA A DONOR
You might be able to help a little girl who suffers from leukemia.
The family of the little girl from Greenwich Village is desperately search for a bone marrow transplant.
Jasmina Amena just celebrated her 6th birthday this month.
Doctors believe she has just two months to live if she doesn't get a transplant.
Donors drivers are being held around the country this weekend, including three in New York.
For more information about where this weekend's drives are located, visit http://www.oneforjasmina.com/#/2=drives
Related Articles:
Comments
.jpg)
Energy reform is a non-negotiable element of the Obama administration; with the need to promote the clean up of the environment, control global …
.jpg)
In the United States an estimated 122-129 million tons of coal ash waste is generated per year. In 2006, New Jersey alone contributed 10.7 million …
