Texas schools are in big trouble. The government is currently at a loss for money due to the economic downturn and is unwilling to raise taxes and to dip into the 'rainy day' reserves (about $9.4 billion). There are reports of up to 100,000 state education employees who will be let go. Incentives for early retirement and attrition will help some of this but not most of it. My best guess is about 80 percent of it will happen.
As I have previously written this causes problems. Check my earlier blog where I examine these issues. The reality of this situation is that it will happen. Young teachers, the lifeblood of the school system will be let go. No one will replace them. A state that once advertised all over the nation for teachers will not be culling the education departments of our colleges looking for new teachers. Why? Because there will be NO new jobs available. What are these young minds to do? Where will they go and what will they end up doing? This is serious and we must think of ways to head it off at the pass.
I've been thinking about what might help here. Some districts are getting creative and are selling advertising, trademarking mascots etc. and that might help somewhat but I feel will only be a drop in the bucket. I've got an idea that just might work but it will take some work and creativity to get it done.
What would happen if the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor would ask their buddies, big business, to get involved in supporting education? I don't mean just advertising or mentorships but strings attached grants. Just think- business gives money, lots of it; schools educate according to the needs of local business and everyone flourishes. This is not only a risk for the business but also a chance to invest in their future. Throw in a tax break for participating corporations and I think you can sell it to them.
I've often felt that education should be more contemporary. That is if a corporation had a need, for example, computer programmers, then schools start emphasizing computer studies that would directly impact that corporation. For every dollar spent by the corporation on math, computers and science they would get a multifold return by hiring those students who have been successful. These students could be sponsored to go onto colleges to hone their skills and knowledge. They would glean the best minds available and minds that have been cultivated in their mold. Or an oil company stressing engineering, chemistry etc, in order to have a better worforce. Texans know how to get things done and I believe with some creative management of funds then this can happen. It will be a win-win situation.
Now multiply this by numbers of corporations that have an interest in a more educated and therefore more competitive workforce and we have jobs subsidized by the private sector. Maybe this will help. I haven't got it all worked out yet but with your help, if I ran the schools we could get it done. Anything is possible if we just dream and then turn our dreams into reality.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Time For the Uprising to Take Place
Dear Texans;
Your state government is in the process of changing your children's lives forever. The legislature is proposing deep cuts to education in order to offset the shortfall the state is presently taking place. Geachers, parents and students: you did NOT cause this to happen. You do NOT need to take it on the chin. This could lead to a reduction of 100,000 teachers next year and a cut in many successful and needed programs. Just think of the number: 100,000. That is the size of a medium sized Texas city. There is talk of making elementery school class sizes with a ratio of 30:1 and high school classes that have one teacher to every 45 students. Any program that isn't fully funded by the federal government is in danger of being axed.
Let's examine the programs that are on the chopping block. Fine arts is one of them. Can you imagine a school without band, orchestra, choir or theater programs. Children who participate in those programs have a greater chance in becoming successful in other pursuits as well as in the leadership of this country. Another program could be your child's gifted education. Where do they go for enrichment of their valuable minds if not to the GT room? Language classes that are low in student numbers will be gone as well as any advanced program that doesn't meet the magic of the state 'number crunchers'. There is even talk of abandoning extra curricular activities as a result of these education cuts.
I can see so many detrimental effects of the state plan. Crime, for example, will undoubtedbly be on the rise. Students will be more bored at school than some already are. We will never catch up to our Asian competitors and all the President put out to us in the State of the Union will be to no avail. What will Texans do if there are no more 'Friday Night Lights'? The top students will not advance and the poorer student will not be able to be remediated properly.
What do you Texans need to do? I say it is time to storm the 'Bastille', come together to tell the legislators that you will not sacrifice your children's future just because the state has not figured out the proper funding of education. It is time for all the so-called teacher's organizations to bind together, accompanied by parents and students and go to Austin and 'walk like an Egyptian' and take your schools back. Texas is a 'right to work' state so you can not strike but you have other ways to get your message across.
You are teachers! You have the brains and know-how to teach your students but lack the motivation to fight for your rights. You are parents! You allow your students to go to school everyday but have no idea of how the school is funded. You are students! You have the right to a future yet you sit there and your voice is not heard.
It is time Texans to take control. Don't let Austin do this to you. Don't just bend over and take it! Get your heads out of the sand! If I ran the schools I would be right beside you. Get it done!
Your state government is in the process of changing your children's lives forever. The legislature is proposing deep cuts to education in order to offset the shortfall the state is presently taking place. Geachers, parents and students: you did NOT cause this to happen. You do NOT need to take it on the chin. This could lead to a reduction of 100,000 teachers next year and a cut in many successful and needed programs. Just think of the number: 100,000. That is the size of a medium sized Texas city. There is talk of making elementery school class sizes with a ratio of 30:1 and high school classes that have one teacher to every 45 students. Any program that isn't fully funded by the federal government is in danger of being axed.
Let's examine the programs that are on the chopping block. Fine arts is one of them. Can you imagine a school without band, orchestra, choir or theater programs. Children who participate in those programs have a greater chance in becoming successful in other pursuits as well as in the leadership of this country. Another program could be your child's gifted education. Where do they go for enrichment of their valuable minds if not to the GT room? Language classes that are low in student numbers will be gone as well as any advanced program that doesn't meet the magic of the state 'number crunchers'. There is even talk of abandoning extra curricular activities as a result of these education cuts.
I can see so many detrimental effects of the state plan. Crime, for example, will undoubtedbly be on the rise. Students will be more bored at school than some already are. We will never catch up to our Asian competitors and all the President put out to us in the State of the Union will be to no avail. What will Texans do if there are no more 'Friday Night Lights'? The top students will not advance and the poorer student will not be able to be remediated properly.
What do you Texans need to do? I say it is time to storm the 'Bastille', come together to tell the legislators that you will not sacrifice your children's future just because the state has not figured out the proper funding of education. It is time for all the so-called teacher's organizations to bind together, accompanied by parents and students and go to Austin and 'walk like an Egyptian' and take your schools back. Texas is a 'right to work' state so you can not strike but you have other ways to get your message across.
You are teachers! You have the brains and know-how to teach your students but lack the motivation to fight for your rights. You are parents! You allow your students to go to school everyday but have no idea of how the school is funded. You are students! You have the right to a future yet you sit there and your voice is not heard.
It is time Texans to take control. Don't let Austin do this to you. Don't just bend over and take it! Get your heads out of the sand! If I ran the schools I would be right beside you. Get it done!
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