The General Assembly will commence Monday, January 11, 2010 with the big issue of establishing a balance budget with less income and sales taxes. Georgia's budget is 3 billion smaller from last year but the population of Georgia has increased by 600,000 since 2005. Given a possible 17.8 billion dollars budget, 57% of the budget is for education, 27% for health care and 8% for public safety with many of these sectors already cut to the bone; therefore, we need to look at the funding system for items such as the lottery and SPLOST to plug the hole in the operation sector for education. If we do not plug the hole, classroom size will increase, teacher furloughs will continue and the teaching and learning process will greatly suffer. However, the policymakers, school officials, and educators are being held accountable but we need additional parents to step up to the plate to complete the accountability circle.
Education is a national security issue for if we do not greatly enhance student achievement our leadership in the world will become a perception not reality. To meet the needs of our children, I am requesting that parents get involved with the Local School Advisory Committee, PTSA, attend parent-teacher conferences, maintain constant and positive communication with their child's teacher(s) and school and make sure we monitor daily homework. In addition, make sure your child is an avid reader and writer and are critical and creative thinkers. Do not leave student achievement to others but become a strong partner in the teaching and learning process of your child. This is my challenge to us as parents as we begin 2010 for if we want to close the achievement gap we must personally get invovled and this process begins at home.
I also ask that you visit this blog weekly for I will keep you abreast of the activities at the General Assembly in terms of educational issues. I want you to know what our policymakers are proposing and how that proposed policy will affect student achievement. We as parents cannot blame others but we must get and remain involved to influence the change that will greatly enhance student achievment.
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