[AAACE-NLA] High School Graduates at Levels 3-5

[AWilder106@aol.com]

Merle,

The only answer is organizing.   And knowledge.

Organizing pulls disparate people together for a common goal.   Knowledge 
gives them an information base from which to work.   You can't do it alone.

For example, do your legislators know the consequences of deciding on larger 
classes?   Is there any consensus at the state level about what makes up a 
good school? This is where the research base matters.  Legislators can't do it 
all themselves, this is where organizing matters.   While disparate people have 
disparate views, and a group like this can be hard to manage and direct, 
different people pick up different aspects from the environment, they notice 
different things, bring different observations to the table.   By representing 
different levels of government they form a coalition.

Recently a town north of Boston voted to cut after school programs, including 
sports.   This is not a rich community; what will those kids do after school? 
  What are the effects of cuts in after school programs on long term student 
achievement?   Again, this is where a research base helps.   It is pure 
ignorance to say that schools are only about reading and writing, they are about 
many kinds of accomplishment, and these accomplishments can be self reinforcing.  
 This is social investment and it strengthens communities by increasing the 
opportunities for kids to achieve.

Fortunately this story was reported in the local newspaper.   When 
organizing, think of the uses of the press, this has been a constant in American 
history, the important news distribution role played by the press.   Again, I'm 
probably preaching to the choir; nice to read your observations.

Andrea
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