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Teachers: Worried about forced spending cuts?
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- Posted March 4, 2013 by
- Capman1966 Follow
Location
Cody, Wyoming
Cody, Wyoming
Assignment
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Raise expectations even if funding is cut
How do you cut something that's been cut so many times already? This is the question facing many school boards nationwide. And with the demands coming from the public, parents, and education critics, tell us how we are supposed to continue to help our kids improve math and language arts scores with depleted resources? We hear it all the time: What's wrong with American education? Why do we trail all these other countries when we measure achievement levels?
Consider the following: Until an American student graduates high school, education is his or her right. It is guaranteed – by law. After high school, education becomes a privilege – for those who can afford it and have the grades to get in. It's that simple. And yet we cut, cut, cut on all levels of education and expect better results. I say, it's OK to expect more, even when we're given less.
So, am I worried about forced spending cuts? No, not really. I teach journalism – in a First Amendment school that supports student press rights. I have no clue whether my funding will be cut, but rest assured, I make this pledge: I will teach, as will the significant majority of my colleagues, to the absolute best of my ability, to ensure these young people understand that lack of resources only should make you want success MORE. It's not an excuse to be mediocre; it's a challenge to be excellent. What we need is this: Community support, involved parents, patience, and high expectations. Give us less, fine – wel'll band together and climb this mountain, for the rewards might not show up in test scores. But surely they will surface when these young adults make their first college loan payment or sign their first mortgage note. Cuts or no cuts, this educator says bring it on. We'll show Washington that in Wyoming, no one can tell us we can't.
Consider the following: Until an American student graduates high school, education is his or her right. It is guaranteed – by law. After high school, education becomes a privilege – for those who can afford it and have the grades to get in. It's that simple. And yet we cut, cut, cut on all levels of education and expect better results. I say, it's OK to expect more, even when we're given less.
So, am I worried about forced spending cuts? No, not really. I teach journalism – in a First Amendment school that supports student press rights. I have no clue whether my funding will be cut, but rest assured, I make this pledge: I will teach, as will the significant majority of my colleagues, to the absolute best of my ability, to ensure these young people understand that lack of resources only should make you want success MORE. It's not an excuse to be mediocre; it's a challenge to be excellent. What we need is this: Community support, involved parents, patience, and high expectations. Give us less, fine – wel'll band together and climb this mountain, for the rewards might not show up in test scores. But surely they will surface when these young adults make their first college loan payment or sign their first mortgage note. Cuts or no cuts, this educator says bring it on. We'll show Washington that in Wyoming, no one can tell us we can't.
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