Author Archive: Sue Legg

‘STANDARDIZED’ TO BE SHOWN IN GAINESVILLE

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Standarized posterWaiting for Superman  is a documentary that casts public education as full of ‘drop out’ factories and ‘academic sinkholes’.

Rise Above the Mark explores the negative impact of school reform on public education.

Standardized is another documentary.  This one takes on the testing mania that supports school reform.  It will be shown in Gainesville, Florida.  The poster was just sent to me.  The failure of the Florida Standards Assessment online test administration yesterday underscores the message in the film. xxnxxx.info strapon sex

If you see all three films, you will cover the arguments on both sides.

It would be good to have a fourth film that documents all the good things that happen in our schools.

It is Time to Act on Charter Regulation Reform

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child speakingThe League is not a voice in the wilderness.  We help children’s voices be heard.

Today’s Sun Sentinel ran an editorial calling for many of the same changes in regulations that the League identified.  There are three bills that deserve and need our support.  We posted details in this blog yesterday.  See: Charter School Bills Going in Different Directions.

Read the Sun Sentinel editorial published today.  Resolve to write to your legislative delegation now.

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North Carolina Voucher Case Hits Supreme Court

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justiceArguments in the Hart et al vs, North Carolina were heard in the North Carolina Supreme Court on February 17th.

This is a straight forward voucher case.  The legislature voted to fund $4,200 vouchers for private schools.  There is no tax credit dodge here.  There is, however, a constitutional requirement that the state raise funds exclusively for a ‘free and uniform public school system’.

The arguments have a familiar ring.

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Update on HR 5: Unfinished Business

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The report that HR 5 to seriously limit the authority of the U.D. Department of Education, restructure Title I funding for low income area schools, and eliminate the Common Core standards among other measures, has not been pulled as previously announced by Rep. Amash.

Two amendments were offered:

HR 5 (#43) Thompson (MS).  HR 5 will not go into effect until it can be assured there will be no adverse affect on low income, minority, and English learner students.

HR 5 (#44) Scott (Va).  The amendment would replace # 43 and call for robust funding, replace No Child Left Behind, and maintain civil rights and equity.

The committee voted to rise and leave the bill as unfinished business.

 

Visiting Day Care Centers

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by Janet Allen

The LWVAlachua education committee made visits to numerous child care centers in Alachua County that ranged from family centers to large commercial centers like O2B Kids and Baby Gator. We had the opportunity to talk to teachers and administrators as well as children.  When we asked about current needs they were remarkably the same.

Our Florida legislature has a major bill (SPB 7006) to improve childcare standards, and the Governor’s budget includes funds to expand the Voluntary PreK program for four year olds.  There are, however, many different types of childcare programs, and we are learning how their programs differ and what their challenges are to provide quality childcare.

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