IL Senate Bill 4179 - Education

 Let me share with you a proposed piece of legislation (word for word) from the IL Senate Republicans.  Yes, either party can propose legislation but I think that any such legislation solely proposed by one party is ill advised.

Here is Senate Bill 4179 - "The legislation requires school districts to publicly post on the districts website, at least twice per year, all of the learning materials and activities used for student instruction, as well as the policies and procedures for review and approval of the materials and activities."

On the surface this appears to be a rather benign bill; perhaps even a positive one.    I'm wary of this proposed piece of legislation for a number of reasons.

- First, as I alluded to, above, a bill crafted by one party is often ill fated

- Second, the bill seems to assume that teachers aren't already sharing learning materials and activities as part of their every day work.    Teachers have always done this.

-Third, excellent teachers, for a variety of reasons (sometimes out of their control) must by necessity or choice alter learning materials and activities.   When this takes place are they then suppose to make the changes on the website?

-Fourth, making the above Senate Bill 4179 law simply adds another responsibility to a teacher's workload; a workload already often too burdensome.

-And fifth, though there are other reasons to oppose this bill, we already have principals, assistant principals, dept. chairs and district curriculum coordinators who are in charge of seeing to it that teachers are making clear to students and parents what is taking place with regard to learning materials and activities.   Bottom line...does the legislature trust these individuals, along with the teachers in the state, to do their jobs?

Thanks and have a good day, Dick

Punishing for What's Taught

So we have some new and possible state laws dealing with what is taught or not and the possible ramifications if a school, and by extension its teachers, don't heed the law.

Here's why I think this is an important issue to examine.

Students, like all of us, are different from one another.    We have different sexes, different facial appearances, different cultural/race backgrounds along with a whole bunch of other differences.  Heck, we cut our hair and dress differently.

This young and untested first year teacher (me) simply assumed a quiet, long haired student who sat in the back of the room in what 'seemed' a sullen matter assumed that this boy didn't care.   Turned out he was quite bright and was a positive force in the class.    Lesson learned!

Was he different?   Yes!  But there is nothing to fear if a transgender or LGBTQ is in school.    They are students who need to be treated properly like any other student.    The people in these state legislatures  passing these laws need to get over their fear of others because the students are somehow different.

Have a good weekend

Dick

States Dictating What is Taught in Schools

Below is a portion of an article entitled 'Changing America' which was posted on The Hill.    It is instructive in terms of what states are TELLING teachers, and by extension education what can and can't be taught.

These are important events that may well portend not just what can and can't be taught but will likely have implications what books can be used, curriculum design, funding and more.   I'm sure it will have much to do with the possible harm to students and teachers.

A House bill in Tennessee would ban textbook and instructional materials that “promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) lifestyles” in K-12 schools. Another, in Kansas, seeks to amend the state’s obscenity law to make using classroom materials depicting “homosexuality” a Class B misdemeanor. Legislators in Indiana are working to bar educators from discussing in any context “sexual orientation,” “transgenderism” or “gender identity” without permission from parents.

Florida’s House committee passed Thursday an updated version of its Parental Rights in Education bill, HB 1557, to specifically prohibit “classroom instruction” on sexual orientation or gender identity for kindergarten and third grade classes, as well as in older grades if deemed inappropriate for students. Parents could also sue schools if they believe the school violated these laws, under the House and accompanying Senate bill. 

While Florida is currently a poster state for anti-LGBTQ+ curriculum laws, others are proposing and moving faster on farther-reaching bills. Oklahoma legislators have put five measures before its Congress that regulate how schools from K-12 to higher education teach LGBTQ+ issues. Two bills, SB 1142 and SB 1654, would prohibit librarians and teachers from distributing materials on or outright discussing “any form of non-procreative sex,” gender identity and “lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender issues.” ng “homosexuality” a Class B misdemeanor. Legislators in Indiana are working to bar educators from discussing in any context “sexual orientation,” “transgenderism” or “gender identity” without permission from parents.

A Couple of More CPS Names

Just a couple of more names of schools to aid to the thumbnail sketches I have presented over the past  couple of days.

Arthur Ashe - Mr. Ashe was a prominent professional tennis player who blazed a trail for black athletes particularly in tennis.   He won three grand slam titles and was the first black to win the Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and Australian Open titles.   He contracted HIV in the early 1990's and prior to his death set up a foundation to combat AIDS.

Pilsen Community Academy - Actually this school is NOT named after an individual.   The only Pilsen I'm familiar with is a city in the Czech Republic!!    So in all probability it is called Pilsen (around 17th and 18th Streets) as Bohemians settled here in the 1870's.  By the end of WW I many Mexicans came to live for employment opportunities.    Today this is a thriving Latino neighborhood.

Over the next few days I'll provide some additional insights into what is taking place in the schools and I want to tackle some of the degrading education bills in various states.

Have a good day,

Dick

More Names of Interest

As you can see over these past few days our charity works with a good number of CPS schools.   Here are two more that we are pleased to assist.

Chopin Elementary - Is named after Frederic Chopin a Polish composer and pianist of the Romantic Age.  He made few public appearance and most of them were in the small salons of Paris.   His style was twofold; first, based on Polish folk music and of the classical in the tradition of Bach and Mozart.

Fuller Elementary - Is named after Melville Fuller who was a lawyer and for a good period of time in the late 1800's/early 1900's was the 8th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.    He believed strongly in states rights and a very limited national government.    He sided with the majority in the historic Plessy v Ferguson case of 'separate but equal.'

As I often think of schools and the names ascribed to them, whether in Chicago or elsewhere in the United States, I often wonder if the students and larger community are aware of the people who have their names on the entrance to the various schools.

Have a good day,

Dick

What's in a CPS Name

 Here are a couple of additional schools we are honored to serve in Chicago:

Johnson School - This school is named after James Weldon Johnson who was known during the Harlem Renaissance for his poems, novel and anthologies.   President T. Roosevelt appointed him as the U. S. Consul to Venezuela.    Later on Johnson would serve as a professor at both New York University and Fisk University.

Jensen School - Is named after Jens Jensen who was born in Denmark and came to the U.S. in his late teens.  He was a prominent landscape artist who had much to do with designing such Chicago Parks as Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, Garfield Park, Douglas Park and others.   Later in life he worked closed with Henry Ford on numerous projects.

Just two giants with their names attached to CPS schools.

Dick

What's in a CPS Name?

 Happy Valentine's Day and the morning after the Super Bowl!!!

I have a couple of additional names of people who have their names attached to schools with the Chicago Public School system.

Pickard Elementary - Is named after Josiah Pickard who was involved in education his entire life.  Initially he was Principal of Platteville Academy in WI and then he became the Superintendent of Pubic Instruction in WI.   Later in life Josiah became the 3rd Supt. of Chicago followed by becoming the 6th President of the University of Iowa.   Quite a career!!

Curtis School of Excellence got its name from George Curtis who was a prolific writer and orator.   Mr. Curtis became the political editor of Harper's Weekly.   Curtis was involved in education as he was one of the original members of the New York City Board of Education.    Curtis often spoke out in favor of African-American equality throughout the 1800's.

Have a great day!

Dick

Part 3 - What's in a Name (CPS Schools)

 I have a full day today...don't we all!!

So, I will pass along two names of CPS schools and the names of the noteworthy individuals.

Metcalfe Elementary is named after Ralph Metcalfe.   Mr. Metcalfe held world records at various times in the 100 and 200.   He finished second in the '32 Olympics and took 2nd in the 1936 Olympics behind Jesse Owens.   He was a Chicago alderman for a number of years and served five terms in the United States House of Representatives.

Sherwood Elementary is named after Jesse Sherwood.   Jesse Sherwood was a surgeon in the Civl War and served on the USS Somerset which saw many battles.   After his service he was a live stock commissioner at the Chicago Stock Yards.    Later in life he served for 3 years on the Chicago Board of Education.

Thank you for reading, Dick

What's in a CPS Name? - Part 2

 Yesterday we started chatting about the various names of people who have had their names ascribed to the elementary schools in the CPS system.   These are some names you may recognize, others not so much.  Here are a few more...enjoy!!

James Russell Lowell  Mr. Lowell was an American Romantic poet, critic and editor not to mention an ambassador.   Mr. Lowell was an editor of a Philadelphia abolitionist newspaper, later becoming editor of the Atlantic Monthly.   In his later years Mr. Lowell was a Minister to England.

Alex Haley   Mr. Haley was a noted writer and author perhaps most known for the book Roots which later became a noteworthy TV miniseries.  Even before his writing days Mr. Haley had served in the U.S. Coast Guard for nearly two decades.   Through various interviews with Malcolm X, Mr. Haley authored The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Scott Joplin   Mr. Joplin was a composer and pianist most noted for his 40 ragtime pieces.    The movie The Sting included a number of pieces of Mr. Joplin.   Aside from ragtime, which kicked off a new wave of other musicians following suit, Mr. Joplin produced two operas.   Posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize.

Have a good day!!

Dick

What's in a Name?

 Schools Count has served the Chicago Public Schools in a variety of ways over the past ten years.    Many of you have made donations to support the students attending the schools or you have helped to deliver supplies during this time.

There are a number of school names that you may not be familiar with so I thought I'd give a brief description of the person whose name is synonymous with the building.

John Hay  Mr. Hay was the personal secretary of Abraham Lincoln and he would go on to become Secretary of State under President McKinley.    He is largely responsible for the 'Open Door' policy on trade with China.

Harriet Beecher Stowe  Ms. Stowe perhaps is most famous for the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin which, among other things, depicts the harsh conditions of slavery.   Ms. Stowe was a strong abolitionist and she did hide a few runaways on the Underground Railroad.   She was one of the founders of the Hartford Art School.

Salmon Chase  He was a Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court and also served as the 23rd Governor of Ohio in addition to being a United States Senator.   He is the only person to ever have held these three positions!!!

Over the next few days I'll introduce some additional CPS school namesakes to you.

Dick

A Desperate Need for Teachers

 This morning I'm going to depart from some of my typical comments about books, events taking place in the various schools we work with and concentrate on a vital concern...the need for more teachers in our classrooms.

I'm providing you with the names and addresses of the leaders of the nation's two largest teacher unions, the NEA and AFT.    I'd like to respectfully ask you to shoot off a short note to both if you have the time.   As soon as I finish this short blog I'll do the same.

The short note/letter would simply ask the respective unions to look at the long game and fund/prioritize developing high school programs/courses that would inspire young people to enter the teaching profession.    There's a smattering of such courses in the nation and they are highly successful at providing real classroom instruction relative to teaching and serve as a pathway to pursuing such a career at the university level.   I've seen these work!!!

Here you go!!   The National Education Association President is Ms. Becky Pringle and the mailing address is 1201 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-3290.   The American Federation of Teachers is led by Randi Weingarten and the mailing address is 555 New Jersey Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20001.

If you are able to shoot off a letter or two I'd be pleased if you would send me a note simply saying 'mission complete.'    My email is rich219@comcast.net  

Thanks and have a good day, Dick

Have We Lost our Way?

 With all that takes place in education, it still stands to reason, at least to me, that though time passes it is still important to take stock of one question.    What is the one overarching goal of public education?

It's true that public education helps one move forward on a career/job path.    It's also true that the enterprise of public education provides knowledge and that it helps to open up one to the world at large. Public education also spurs creativity, curiousity and understanding.

George Washington in his farewell address suggested the need for a public education system.   Among the goals, Washington said that public education would be needed to create a well-informed populace to participate in America's newly founded democracy.   

Thomas Jefferson stated that public education "should be rendered by liberal (don't confuse the use of this term back then with its use today) education worthy to receive, and able to guard the sacred deposit of the rights and liberties of their fellow citizens."

As I reflect on what these two men said of public education I'm left with the idea that this enterprise should see to it that we are to serve our nation and the common good.    If that is the case, have we lost our way?

Have a good weekend,

Dick

CPS Success

 There are many, many ingredients that go into making a school, and in turn, the students successful.    Yes, money makes a difference.   Certainly terrific teachers are crucial.    Parent involvement has been proven to be critical.

When it comes to CPS I have found that a couple of other elements that help to make a positive impact on student learning.    Over these recent years I have witnessed successful CPS schools which have a strong LSC presence and stability in the building administration to be the ones most prone to having a direct bearing on the success of the students.

No, I don't have scientific data to back this up but I have witnessed progress in other ways; students being content, test scores holding or improving, attendance rates rising, and students engaging in a variety of other activities.

Just some observations!!

Dick

Dripping Funds - Supreme Court

 I have two or three major concerns about the Carson v Makin Supreme Court Case should the justices render an opinion in favor of the plaintiffs...Carson.    As I've said on many other occasions, people absolutely have a right to educate their children as they see fit.    That being said, public funds are to be used for public entities.   In this case for public education.

This leads to one of my concerns.   Let's say Carson wins the case and has access to public funds for private schooling.    Will these schools, now that they have state funds, also have to follow other state mandates?   Will they limit who can attend and who can teach at the school?  It seems reasonable that if they have state funds then they ought to follow all state rules.

Of course another concern is this...If a good number of private schools tap state public funds (previouly allocated for public schools) won't public school funding provided by the states suffer to a degree?   To me, it seems quite probable.

Finally, if Carson wins the case in Maine I see other states following suit.   That concerns me for the same reasons I've outlined in the previous two paragraphs.

Stay tuned and thanks for reading!

Dick

Dripping of funds & U. S. Supreme Court - Part 2

 Yesterday I started to delve into the Carson v Makin case before the Supreme Court that has to do with the granting of public funds for education in Maine.   At issue is whether the plaintiffs (Carson) have the right to public funds for private education.

Let's back up a bit.   Just who is Carson?   Carson is one of three families who are arguing that Maine provide funds for their student's private education.    Ms. Makin is the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education and she/the state don't want this to happen.

A bit of background.    This case has been in two lower courts.    Both courts sided with Makin and the state.   So now, being dissatisfied, Carson has taken the case all the way up to the United States Supreme Court.

Carson's argument is this...They feel that their 1st Amendment right has been infringed upon.    Specifically, they argue, that their right to the 'Free Exercise Clause' has been violated.    Makin maintains that Carson has no standing based on current law.    That's the short jist of it.

I'm eager to see what happens as the composition of the Supreme Court has changed a great deal in the past couple of years.  

Dick