On Tuesday, March 22nd, at 10:00 am in Room 138 of the Arkansas State Capitol, lobbyists and supporters of self-interest groups representing adults will pack the House Committee on Education to defeat HB 1551 and HB2140, sponsored by Representative Barry Hyde.
In the name of representing the best interests of public education, these agents of no-change will argue against altering their cozy, insider system which has facilitated the decline of public education for students.
Those tens of thousands of students who are being denied their futures by a system which holds adults' elected offices and employment more important than the students they are entrusted to serve will have no group advocates - just motivated parents and citizens and the collective conscience of the committee.
Only one relevant question should be asked: How will these bills help or hurt students?
HB 1551 will change the school election date from the by-design low voter turnout September, dominated by the very groups who will rail against change, to the more inclusive and democratic Primary.
HB 2140 will empower the people, not incumbent school boards, to determine how the people will be represented in zoned districts.
No more. No less.
I believe the state of our public education system is the greatest emergency of our times, requiring immediate triage to ensure that all students, at the very least, read at or above grade level.
Those fighting change think we're doing just fine.
The majority of people, through deliberate disengagement and disenfranchisement by those with the most to lose from transparency and an empowered electorate, seem resigned to the trending fate of public education.
Last year, 40% of Little Rock School District students - over 10,000 - were deemed not proficient in math, literacy and/or science. And yet, only 1.6% of registered voters cast ballots in the school election.
And for those who assuage themselves by considering this just a Little Rock problem, I challenge them to check their respective districts' benchmark scores. It is unconscionable that any student is moved through and out of the system without, at the very least, being proficient in math, literacy and science.
HB 1551 and 2140, while small steps, are at least steps in the right direction to better engage all people in the performance of their public schools.
Ronald Reagan asked, "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"
Dr. Phil asks, "How's that working for you?"
Members of the House Committee on Education should ask, "What's best for all students?"
May the answer be their guide.
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