The importance of protecting education funding

As we near the start of Maryland's legislative session, we are reminded of the importance of properly funded schools. Today, NPR ran a story chronicling the school budget struggles in Texas where $4 billion has been cut from education this year and there has been over 12,000 educators and support employees laid off.

This is new for Texas. It's the first time in over 60 year that the state has not come through with it's funding promises. Schools are charging for more than lunches:

"In many school districts across Texas, though, parents are footing the bill for things like bus transportation, field trips, athletics and uniforms."

The Governor, Rick Perry, refuses to use money from the states $5 billion "rainy day fund" to help close the spending gaps. This is having a greater impact on the poor:

"Already, the $4.3 billion in school funding cuts seems to have made the disparity between poor and wealthy school districts worse. A poor district now gets $800 less per student from the state than a wealthy district.More than 300 school districts are now suing. They're hoping the courts will declare the cuts and the school funding formula in Texas unconstitutional."

When we look at situations like this, we see all to well the importance of ensuring full funding for our schools at the state and  county levels. That's why we have a Maintenance of Effort law. To ensure that funding does not decrease and force schools to then cut programs and charge for things they shouldn't have to. 

MCEA Presents: Understanding Your Retirement Workshop

Tom Henry from Integrated Financial Solutions will be presenting this seminar for all MCEA members, especially those considering retiring in the next five years. The seminar will focus on:

• Pension and payout options in retirement
• Social Security retirement benefits
• Income from you investments

The seminar will be held at the MCEA Conference Center on Thursday January 12, 2012 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and refreshments will be provided.

RSVP: Jackie Thompson at 301-294-6232 or jthompson@mceanea.org

Taking student's poverty head on

There's a story making the rounds about Justin Bieber donating $100,000 to a high needs school in Las Vegas. Valerie Strauss digs a little deeper into the story, looking the work of the teachers and principal at the school. Even though 85% of the school's students qualify for free and reduced meals, there have been academic gains at the school over the years because the school actively tries to help the students and parents address their unmet basic needs at home.

So rather than ignore poverty like the "reformers" like to, this school (while an exceptional example) is taking it on. Not that we're suggesting that you have to subject the schools to more Bieber, but being innovative in how to address poverty and the problems it causes goes a long way to helping students be successful. 

Nothing unusual about a teachers union leading reforms

Today's Washington Post has an article about the AFT's efforts to rebuild an impoverished school district in West Virginia. The AFT has found several partners to help address the myriad of social issues that afflict the community.

Ed "reformers" say that ineffective teachers and unions like to use poverty as an excuse for under performing students. Take a look at McDowell County and try to ignore the impact of social factors.

"The poverty, broken homes and isolation mean that most McDowell students start school behind. By 3, the average child in this country has a vocabulary of 12,000 words. In McDowell, that child knows 5,000."

There is a high rate of unemployment in the county. Drug use is a such a problem that the two major employers in the county, a coal mine and  a federal prison can't attract enough employees due to the inability of many applicants to pass drug tests. 80% of students are defined as poor by the state. The drop out rate is triple the national average. How could these not affect a child's ability to learn and succeed? But Bill Gates or Michelle Rhee would likely say that the unions are making up excuses to cover for the teachers who weren't working hard enough.

While this may be an extreme case, these same issues impact students all over the country and even here in Montgomery County.

Teachers unions have been helping to improve teaching and learning for decades. There is nothing unusual about it.