So much for the
No Child Left Behind Act. California's multimillion dollar deficit has succeeded in placing a multitude of futures in jeopardy. Apparently, the closing of an elementary school will yield $300, 000 and the closing of a jr. high or high school will yield $800, 000. The district has placed a bounty on the heads of California children in order to save itself from the clutches of the state, but actually, this is just an act to save the state itself. I am truly speechless right now and saddened. When the talk of school closures first started circulating it was my alma mater, along with two additional high schools that were on the chopping block. I now know that they were just a few on a growing list. A growing list of inner city schools.
How, exactly, are students suppose to learn in overcrowed classrooms? How are they expected to get to schools outside of their neighborhoods when their own schools are within walking distance? Who is going to protect them when turf wars break out between rival gang members (because they will)? How many students will actually graduate and go on to college under these conditions, these pressures? These are just some of the questions that parents are asking, and have been asking since day 1. I also have to ask these questions because in no way is the closing of all of these schools going to have a good outcome. Yes, perhaps money will be saved, but the cost is much to high for them to do this. It is said that education is the key. Well, what happens when someone comes in and steals that key?
Yesterday, parents, teachers and community members voiced their concerns to administrators and were told that there was no other way at this point. I got on the phone as soon as the news came over the airways that Kennedy High School was among the schools that will be closed. This is not my alma mater, but my grandmother taught there for a number of years and my bff's cousins are/were scheduled to attend next year. My grandmother couldn't believe the news. A place that she had served severly handicapped kids is scheduled to be no more. As I spoke with her and texted the bff back and forth, the news coverage continued as the students exited the building with their "Honk to Save Us" and "Save Our Futures" signs in protest, chanting "SAVE OUR SCHOOLS."
Seeing this took me back to my freshman year at Richmond High School, back when the school superintendent had made off with the district's funds leaving them in debt. As a result, schools in the West Contra Costa district looked like they were from the set of
Dangerous Minds. Outdated textbooks, unoccupiable classrooms, more students than people to teach them and not enough guidance counselors to guide students into the phase that preceds high school. It was pretty horrible. So, the leadership class of RHS planned a walk out and rally at the capitol. We met with state leaders and community organizers and set out on a mission to get the district's debt forgiven. This was a time before the Governator was even a thought. On the day of, students in each high school walked out (which pissed off administrators because the school loses money when students are absent), we hopped on busses and made the journey to Sacramento. We were joined there by all kinds of organizations, one of which was a senior center in my neighborhood. It was a great turn out and a bold example of what education really meant to not just the kids, but everyone in the community. I think there is a strong ideology that the parents of inner city kids are too cracked out to give a damn about whether their kids get educated or not, because, of course, they themselves are uneducated. That isn't the whole truth. We where heard that day and nearly all of the districts debt was forgiven.
Today, the students of Kennedy High School and some parents stood on the front lines with their signs preparing to walk a mile to city hall. I will have to tune in to the next news cast for more updates. Police had been called before the students left and were probably in route as they marched.
Its just really sad that THIS is what we have to endure, all in the name of securing something that is a right. You have to struggle and fight, fight and struggle, and then struggle and fight some more just to be able to play in the same game as other students from other areas. We aren't even going to talk about getting on the same playing field, because you can't play until you have a spot on the team.
All of this has prompted me to really think long and hard and consider applying to become a part of
Teach for America. This organization places recent college grads in underprivledged schools for a 2 year commitement to make a difference in the lives of students by becoming educators. Now, teaching has never been one of my career goal, I have always believed that I lack the patience required to teach, however, I am starting to rethink this. More and more, I am learning more about myself and what I really have a knack for. I think I am a closeted activist. As much as I have tried to fight this "Berkeley" trait, its just deep rooted and calling my name. My heart is being pulled toward working for sexual assult survivors, I think I may have to include the fight for equal treatment of inner city children as well. Such pressing issues that need immediate attention. Voices dying to be heard. Lives that need to be saved. Futures that need to be granted access.
