Beyond the Tipping Point: Vote for Change, Find Passion

I’m a local, talented educator with over 17 years of experience, and, most importantly, I’m the parent of a child attending Pine Mountain Learning Center.

I feel I must weigh in on the issue of the state of our schools. Yes, it is obvious that the reasons for declining enrollment and the apparent mismanagement in recent years need to be addressed.

Need for Structural Change, Statewide

Also, not just in our district, but nationwide, there needs to be a way to identify and remove teachers who aren’t performing adequately, after additional support and training have been given.

However, in my opinion, the number one issue in our state in particular, is the crisis in funding.

47th, really? California’s Crisis

California has consistently been in the bottom tier of per pupil funding for years (currently 47th out of 50 states).

Not only has El Tejon lost ADA (annual daily attendance) due to declining enrollment, but all school districts have continually had their ADA reduced in recent years.

That is why my former district, Torrance, had to discontinue class size reduction. Despite all the cuts, and a diverse enrollment of about 600 students, the school I taught at continues to have a high API (currently 887), and was awarded "California Distinguished School" in 2010, while there were still four grades of my students in attendance (about 80). However, the API was 892 when I left, and I attribute the slight drop since then to the continual funding cuts.

The Tipping Point

We are at a tipping point in California. If we keep trying to balance the budget at the expense of our children, I predict continual drops in API scores.

There were supposed to be three education initiatives in November, but two have recently been combined.

Our Children, Our Future

The Our Children, Our Future initiative is, in my opinion, a much-needed restoration of funds to our schools. Yes, it is a tax increase, but on a sliding scale based on income.

If it passes, it will take effect during the 2013-2014 school year. Unlike previous measures, it protects the funds it raises from being pirated by the state, and is very specific on where the funds go.

It includes charter schools, as well. There is a very informational website, including a calculator where you can look up a school, to see how much money the school would receive should this measure pass.

Interested parties can go to the web address: http://ourchildrenourfuture2012.com

Passion and Community

On a local level, besides passing this measure, we parents, community members and educators need to support our schools, to stop the flow towards homeschooling.

I taught special education for Los Angeles County at two sites in Compton when I first began teaching, and the regular education student performance was dismal.

The key difference I have seen in a successful vs. unsuccessful school is the degree of passion on the part of the teachers, (e.g. willingness to provide extra support, like clubs and enrichment activities), and most importantly, parent and community involvement.

Wide-Eyed Witnesses

When you have a great number of dedicated parents and community members volunteering in the schools, helping to organize activities and fundraising, the children are witnesses, they see that their parents and community value education.

In turn, the children learn to treasure their school and education.

The high API at PMLC reflects the impact of having involved volunteers.

I challenge our community to look inward and ask: "What can I do, personally, to make our schools better?" Then, get involved.

Michi Knight writes “Michi’s Magic Bookshelf ” for The New Mountain Pioneer, and offers a Magic Bookshelf Crafts Club each month to explore children’s books and the joy of reading with families.

This is part of the March 30, 2012 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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