Summer Research Seminar 2002

Sir, this is a rich country and no child should go without a book, cafeteria, gym, clean and safe building and credentialed teachers. But in my community all the things I listed above is what our students don’t have.

Mary Johnson's Letter to President George Bush

Dear President Bush:

I never thought I would be writing a president. I would like to thank you for creating the "No Child Left Behind Bill." I hope the full bill will be enforced and not a watered down version. Like California is doing. Sir, this bill is much needed in my community where there is over 59% uncredentialed teachers, just because we have high unemployment. Sir, your bill will have to address some of the conditions that exist in our schools. I am worrying about states like California that will try to water down your bill. The state of California is in the process of reclassifying teachers, so all teachers will be considered high quality teachers. This is another attempt to keep the same old system in place of quality education for rich and middle class students. The low-income students will still have no real access to quality education. Sir, you have taken the first step in bringing quality education for all students, regardless of race, gender, and religion. Please don’t allow the different states to get around quality education for all students. They are trying to continue to cover up the injustice of educating students of color. Mr. President, I would like for you to set up teams of evaluators and researchers to gather data from every state. To ensure your bill is being enforced. This would allow the State and District to know you are holding them to requirements of a bill if they are going to get Federal dollars. A follow up system must be put in play for the violators who are out of compliance. I am hoping you will keep your words on suspending funds when out of compliance. It is not good to make a bill if you are not going to enforce it. It’s hard for me to write this letter because I am a Democrat. This is not about being Republican or Democrat. this is about education. Sir, you are a president that cares for our future leaders by educating all youths in this country. Sir, this is a rich country and no child should go without a book, cafeteria, gym, clean and safe building and credentialed teachers. But in my community all the things I listed above is what our students don’t have. Sir, Parent-U-Turn is a group of parents working together for social changes in our schools. Parent-U-Turn empowers other parents on State Standards and A-G requirements for college. No Child Left Behind is taught to empower them on parent choices and other rights stated under this bill. Sir, we are counting on you to hold every state to bill requirements as written. Please send a reminder to your education directors to pay close attention to all states and districts wording on applications that describe high quality teachers, before any fund is okay. You see, Sir, your bill is only as good as you enforce it. Educating our children is not a Republican or Democrat issue, it is for all people to come together to make a change. In closing, Sir, please don’t let this tragedy system of education that state have set up continue an unjust system for people of color.

Sincerely,
Mary Johnson
Parent U-Turn

Mary Johnson is a parent liaison for Parent U-Turn.

Dear Dr. Harold Ceburn:

I’m writing this letter concerning lack of parent involvement at Lynwood schools. As you know the No Child Left Behind Bill expresses that parents are equal partners on school sites. This is not happening on the Lynwood school campuses. Please be advised. The bill goes into effect September 1, 2002. In the bill there’s a section called parent’s choice that gives parents the right to supplementary services when their child attends low performing school. It states that LEP student’s parents must be notified within 10 days after school starts regarding the status of the teacher’s credential that’s teaching their child. Another provision that’s in the bill is that every parent should be notified within 30 days after September 2,2002 regarding the background & credential of their child’s teacher. As of September 1,2002 Lynwood Unified School District must only hire high quality teachers. When I check the government web page the following schools were listed: Lynwood High, Lynwood Middle, Mark Twain and Roosevelt Elementary will be eligibile for supplementary block grants. Every Parent with a student attending a school listed above will have the opportunity to transfer to a performing school with transportation tutorial service, which is $1500 per child a year. I would like to know how the Lynwood Unified School District is going to promote these new parent choices within the 30 days from first day of school. Parent U-Turn - a non-profit organization in Lynwood is planning on having a series of town hall meetings to educate parents regarding their parent choices. We understand that monies are under Title 1 and Title 5 will be used to fund choices, and if school districts don’t apply the fund will come out of Title1 money. The community feels that Title 1 dollars have been misused in the past. We also feel that funds have not been used properly to help improve our children in academics. We trust that as superintendent you will take the lead as a leader, you will start to educate the parents in your community on the "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" bill. Parent U-Turn looks forward in working with you to spread the good news on these parents’ choices. Enclosing the school in our community can only improve or progress when the community and the schools work together for the betterment of our students.

Sincerely,

Valerie Muñoz
Parent U-Turn

Valerie Muñoz is a parent liaison for Parent U-Turn.

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