the technologist

While everyone is obsessing over the sordid sex lives and faltering campaigns of politicians, something much more scandalous is taking place. The governor of California is planning on cutting funding to an already suffering education system.  Innocent children are the victims.

I have the privilege of working with public elementary schools throughout Los Angeles County, from Pacoima to Venice to San Pedro to La Puente. I call it a privilege because unlike many people I encounter, I have a pretty clear picture of what this city really looks like. Because LA is so sprawling, people tend to stick to the familiarity of their bubbles. Apparently the Governator, former LA resident and current leader of this fine state, is guilty of the same.  If he thinks that the education system can suffer through his proposed funding slash, he doesn’t have a clue what these schools are already up against.

The Wonder of Reading, the nonprofit organization I work for, came into existence because public elementary schools do not have adequate library facilities to accommodate their students, nor do they have funding for library materials and valuable literacy programs. The Wonder of Reading operates on a shared funding model, working closely with elementary schools to vastly improve upon and increase the size of their libraries. It is a highly successful program that brings entire communities together around the importance of reading, resulting in beautiful welcoming library spaces for the whole community to enjoy.

Much of the funding schools acquire for their contribution to the program comes from community donors, money raised by the PTA or booster club, and special funding schools are able to set aside to support their efforts in educating the state’s future leaders. However, looming budget cuts are putting schools in panic mode as they project teacher lay-offs, even larger class sizes, and no money for such luxuries as books, far less improvements to their dilapidated facilities. Is it really any wonder that only 43% of California students are reading at grade level?

I find it impossible to see the value of further depleting resources to our education system. Though this state comprises one of the largest economies in the world, in 2005-06, it was ranked 34th out of 50 states in per pupil spending. “Just 65% of California’s high school students graduate on time with a regular diploma. California ranks 38th in the nation on this measure,” according to the Children Now: 2008 California Report Card. These children are the future economy, therefore we must support their education and provide the resources they need for success in order to ensure that this state will thrive as well.

So while the public supports wealthy presidential candidates raising tens of millions of dollars to fund their smear campaigns, and the nation is distracted by the expensive philandering of a now former New York governor, I have to ask myself, where are peoples’ priorities? In my opinion, Schwarzenegger is about to commit a much graver atrocity that has a profound impact on the future success of the entire country.

How can you take action? Express your opposition by contacting your local representatives and prove that the public is truly ready to participate in this democracy. If change is what you want, you have to make it happen.

Stumble it!

~ by Kent Francisco on March 20, 2008.