Florida students don't get another chance

American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten met Tuesday with Gov. Charlie Crist for what the AFT called a "positive" discussion about the future of education financing in Florida. A spokeswoman for the teachers union said Weingarten and the governor had a frank conversation and agreed to keep talking about issues going forward.

Afterward, Weingarten penned a column about the need to deal with the current economic crisis in order to avoid damaging public education for a generation of students. Here it is:

"When the economy catches a cold, our schools get pneumonia. Today, pneumonia is spreading from state to state, and our students are feeling the effects.

"A Florida teacher says that because of the economy, some of her students have difficulty doing homework at night because their electricity has been turned off. Another Florida teacher reports that budget cuts have led to huge class sizes and the number of students she teaches has jumped from 130 to 192.

"In Philadelphia, where many schools have no library at all, officials plan to shutter 11 public libraries. And in numerous school districts nationwide, teachers and school support personnel are being laid off, resulting in larger class sizes, shorter kindergarten days and other consequences that will impair educational progress.

"The economic crisis must be addressed — and addressed quickly.

"Clearly, the cost of righting the listing ship will have to be shared by all. The fight for America's future rests with Congress, every state legislature, every county council, every school board, and with each of us. Success requires passage of a well-crafted federal economic stimulus package that will mitigate the need for draconian cuts to core services. But long-term success will require that decisions made today not only will protect, but will improve, the cornerstones of our society, especially education, health care and other essential services.

"We can't pull the rug out from under the people who depend on these services, especially those with the greatest needs. Children grow each day; their education can't wait. Illness doesn't follow economic trends; patients need help now. And our country's infrastructure must be modernized sooner than later.

"Here in Florida, $3-billion already has been slashed from schools, colleges and universities. More cuts are on the way. None of these cuts is just a line on a budget page; they have a real and immediate impact on students and teachers. And these cuts will have lasting consequences; they will diminish our nation's ability to produce the leaders we need to build and keep a strong, vital economy.

"This week, the American Federation of Teachers will launch our economic campaign: 'Fight for America's Future: It's Dollars and Sense.' As important as it is to infuse dollars to prevent a disinvestment in education, we also will press for smart investments. There are no do-overs for students. Children today are coming of age in an economy that demands ever-increasing knowledge, skill and adaptability.

"Smart investments would ensure that students have class sizes that don't swell to unmanageable levels. Smart investments would provide children with special needs with the staff and programs they require. They would allow an intense focus on low-performing schools and a commitment to make every school safe, orderly and modern. And smart investments would guarantee that higher education is accessible and affordable.

"Our children need the right tools to be able to make the American Dream a reality. Chief among those tools is a rigorous, well-rounded education. That is true in good times — and even truer in bad. This is a fight for America's future. If we don't do it now, our children will be paying the consequences for years to come."

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Comments

[terminator]

8:38
just trying to point some things out for emphasis

signed

ter....Howard Ster...minator

Have a great day!

Terminator I usually agree with about 80% of the time and that's with giving you the benefit of my interpretations of what you say but it's starting to look like your post are starting to take on a shockjock mentality I hope this is not the case because it seems at least to me that you certainly have a very good insight into our public school systems

[terminator]

9:53
Do you really think the "Governor" could care less about education?
Chuck knows his poll numbers are dropping and people are starting to get ticked off "he didn't hold education harmless". It is strictly self-serving for Crist (as usual).

7:40
As a strong unionist myself, I just can't stand these whiny New Yawk liberal union weenies whose only agenda for public education is "give us more money".

When public school districts TRULY cut the fat (overpaid, over the hill DROP administrators down at the school district office) and clean up their act the legislature might be open to increased funding.

Until that time, IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!

Ps I don't eat Wheaties at 6:30 pm.

Terminator, I usually enjoy your comments but what happened to you today? Someone piss in your wheeties?

I don't see anyone else up there talking to the governor on behalf of education. What happened to you, terminator? Lose your abc room supervisor job?

[terminator]

boo hoo hoo.

let's all cry our eyes out with Ms. Weingartens sob stories.

the poor schools. they waste billions every year but it's never enough.

give us more, give us more they cry! if you cut the budgets the poor kids won't be able to buy cheetos/pop tarts out of the vending machine.

we'll have to cut badminton and water polo.

we'll have to eliminate busing millions of kids all over kingdom come to fancy magnet schools.

we won't be able to have a bunch of fatcats like me making $200K plus running around telling everyone how broke we are and how we need more money.

the large school districts/unions scam is angling for a piece of Obama's stimulus package. bail us out like our irresponsible brothers on Wall Street/Detroit.

Let us waste even more taxpayer dollars throwing it down a black hole.

boo hoo hoo. poor Ms. Weingarten. maybe she would consider forfeiting her hefty compensation package since she's so concerned.

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