i am a bush stooge

[mopinko]

hubby and i got our arms twisted by the principle in my kids grade school to be on the parent action council, or some such, that is a required part of leave no child behind. hubby volunteered, but i think i will go along. the principle says a million dollars hangs on getting 9 volunteers. i didn't want to support this nonsense, but it sounded like they were going to/supposed to collect the data from these things, so i decided i have enough of an education agenda, that i should get a worms eye view of the whole thing. i have no doubt it is as big a joke as the local school councils that they gave chicago parents to shut them up.
so, any other du-ers on pac's, or any experts on nclb out there?

[LuLu550]

1. NCLB is a joke

but you don't get the money for your school unless you dance to the tune they are playing. Until it is rolled back, you should do what you need to do to help your school get the money. Don't beat yourself up!

[La_Serpiente]

2. I am not teacher

nor am I an expert on NCLB. However, I hope you can survive your job :-)

[TXvote]

3. Stooge Away! The Water is Just Fine!

Darlin, take it from me, these parent action committees are possibly the LNCB Waterloo for BiffCo.
When I hear the word "meeting" I get an image of one of those medieval looking meat tenderizing kitchen tools, however, I have found these parent committees well worth the time.
First of all, they are required to take and post minutes, so you can bring up all sorts of things that will become part of the official record. Is the military visiting your school? Yes, even elementary schools? Any books you want to see added to the library?

Also, you are in a unique position as a parent to advocate for the staff when it comes to budget and strategy. If your kids were a car, the teachers are the master mechanics quite often subject to the tyrrany of managment's newest whim. The mechanics/teachers know what works and know how to keep a car/kid humming if they are not forced to cram standardized testing skills/LNCB in the engine. Always always question who is the vendor for any outside service being provided. Corporate greed is rampant within education circles.

Many a teacher has been silenced through intimidation and the threat is very real. If you can find a place to advocate for the staff, you are truly doing important work.

Build concensus and do not be afraid to recommend like minded parents to this committee. If its good enough for the Christian Coalition, it should be important to thoughtful educated progressive thinking people. These committees and required to include a small number of community members as well. Outside business people carry enormous weight with principals and superintendants. $$$$$$. Know any progressive business people? Or clergy for that matter. Noone ever wants to publically face off with clergy advocating for children.

Most of all, remember it is impossible to appear sane if you are hopping up and down. Killing them with kindness is still killing them. And the world needs people like you participating in groups that effect our children.

Peace,
Teresa
www.votervirgin.com