War on Education…Students and Teachers Suffer – #HeyTomCorbett

Elected officials, including our Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett, have waged war on education.

It has been recently announced in several local schools districts, including the Upper Darby School District, that ALL electives (“specials”) including languages, gym, art, library and music will be cut. Many schools are additionally cutting activities and special education services, just to name a few. With three children of my own, I am not only appalled, but saddened by the lack of care and regard for the children and teachers adversely affected. I refuse to sit silently, as many others have, as these cuts stimulate key losses in opportunities for our children, and also a significant loss in jobs for teachers.

I fully recognize that balancing a school district’s budget is daunting and extremely difficult and I definitely do not have all of the answers. However, instead of seeing the finances in the red and immediately reacting by cutting important programs, wouldn’t it make sense to explore and exhaust EVERY option before hitting the execute button on something that will change education, as we know it, forever? Shouldn’t OUR children come first – before any political horse and pony shows?

Hundreds of studies over the years have shown that elective programs such as music and art are extremely beneficial to the overall health and well-being of students. They not only serve to break up the academic day by enabling students to engage in activities they love, but they also prove to allow those children to excel at something other than the core curriculum.

As an adult in the work force, I can fully admit that taking elective classes in elementary school, middle school and college have, in part, made me the well-rounded individual I am today. It isn’t about being the best dodge-ball player in gym class, but more about how to interact in a team environment and learning the core concept of winning and losing. In addition, in a multi-lingual society, employers are looking toward those with knowledge of other languages to be the most valuable employees a company can choose for hiring. Why, then, would you chose to eliminate this knowledge of other skill sets from the education of our children?

For the children that require special education services in order to learn, interact and, in some cases, live, the proposal of cuts by some school districts in this area is extremely detrimental. These students deserve the same education as all other students!

It is clear that the system and thought process of our elected officials is so focused on “No Child Left Behind” and stellar testing scores that they failed to recognize their role as educators and administrators. Our children matter and it is about time those in the position to make positive changes become aware! I urge you to take a stand, and write to your local State Representatives, Governors and School Districts to support the students and teachers affected by these drastic, unnecessary changes. Please feel free to join in our PA plight by tweeting your thoughts to #HeyTomCorbett. ~M #HeyTomCorbett

#HeyTomCorbett Stop Screwing Up Our Schools - Pam from I Forgot What I Was DoingEducation and Budget Cuts - Lisa from A Day in Our Shoes Why Education Cuts Don't Fly With Me - Jess from Delaware County Moms Balancing the Budget....At What Cost? - Steph from A Grande Life The State of Public Education in the State of PA - Hillary from My Scraps Public Schools and Our Kids in Pennsylvania - Diane from Knitting Zeal #HeyTomCorbett $$ for Districts! - Nancy from Defeating the Squirrels