Legislative Information
Legislative Update There is an urgent need for educators to recapture the attention of their students so that they may lead and guide them toward their academic preparedness which will help to identify the winners from the losers, the fortunate from the unfortunate and/or the leaders from the directed. Despite the ever increasing demands being expected of teachers as surrogate parents, nurturers, role models, advisors and counselors, it is still the task of the dedicated educator to seek every available option to help prepare students to become the leaders. It is ever so critical that young educators become proficient in their areas of expertise and that they aspire to become the school leaders, in order to demonstrate their capabilities to assume the top educational positions as they become available for advancement. Each of us needs to become more interested and concerned in the policy making procedures within our schools, cities, state and country, so that we can effectively state and discuss the needs of our communities, as it pertains to school operations, building closures, redistricting, hiring, termination procedures, evaluation criteria, etc. The adage that there is strength in numbers is an accurate statement, and as such, educators must better unite with and support those issues and persons who are attempting to provide better educational opportunities for students in general and students of color in particular. Lawmakers at the local, state and national levels need to hear that educators are concerned about schools and they need to be accountable to educators interests, needs and concerns as elected representatives. As issues arise which may affect the abilities of educators to perform their responsibilities, it should be the duty of all educators to contact our elected officials by telephone, letter, e-mail and personal visitations to express an educated opinion on matters where the elected officials are expected to decide how legislative matters are interpreted, implemented, and evaluated. Consider getting involved in local community organizations, school organizations and politically oriented groups to help support school funding, and elections of candidates whose records of past accomplishments are in accordance with beliefs and desires educators support. At the present time, the United States has received a lower financial rating throughout the world than ever before in our history. Reasons for the lowered world rating should be examined through personal reading and research, rather than accepting only what is reported through the media. With elections for the presidency of the United States getting into high gear, make the time and effort to listen, read and watch what each candidate has done in the past and the promises they will make to win votes for the 2012 elections. Regardless of who your candidate may be, it is very important to cast your vote on Election Day. As a reminder, for elections this year, a new law has just gone into effect which will require all voters to have two forms of identification in order to vote. One form of identification must be a picture ID such as driver’s license, state issued ID or concealed weapon ID etc., and a voter’s registration card. It also will be a mandatory requirement that the information on the forms of ID is uniform and consistent. Addresses on driver’s licenses and voter registration cards must be the same and changes of address must be properly reported for identification usage prior to voting. Because educators continue to serve vital roles in shaping our communities and country, we need to continue to support and assist each other in our professional areas of operations and areas of expertise. Teachers have been respected in the communities for years and years by the citizenry they have served, and they must continue to be viewed in that light in the future. Do I believe that educators can do that again? To that question, I say “Yes we can”.
As the 2011-2012 school year begins, educators have a tremendous responsibility ahead. With education budgets being cut throughout the state, schools are being required to “do more with less”. Cuts in education are resulting in larger class sizes, reduced staff, the reduction of many campus programs designed to assist needy students, and teacher certification and performance requirements being given even greater attention than in years past.
