In 2011, the LWV embarked upon a national study on the Federal Role in Education. LWV-Indy participants discussed the topic after reading materials provided by LWVUS.
On Sept. 14, attendees discussed "Common Core Standards" and the federal government's past role in education. Historically the federal government supported school equity by funding schools/students in need. This funding has not mandated curriculum. Recently, however, interested groups such as the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers have developed Common Core Standards, which standardize content for all US schools. These standards are not mandated by the Federal Government as of yet, but national implementation is encouraged by many politicians interested in education reform.
On Oct. 14, the group investigated the Federal role in early childhood education, special needs education, and funding equitability. To some degree, the federal government currently funds such opportunities. After each discussion, we talked about the corresponding consensus questions. During our final session, we discussed all 15 consensus questions, which were divided into three categories, "General Questions," "Common Core Standards," and "Funding and Equity." As a group, we came to consensus on most answers, although we often provided commentary since the questions were very general.
Overall, we believe that the Federal Government should play some role in K-12 education. That role should not include mandating Common Core Standards or national assessment, but could provide well-tested curriculum structures as examples. We also believe that schools meeting Federal guidelines for need (Title I, Head Start, etc.) should receive appropriate funding in order to support equity. We agreed that some discretionary funding for school improvement could be beneficial as long as the Federal Government cannot mandate Common Core Standards or national assess-ments for schools awarded these funds.
- Kendra Clauser
Education Study Co-Chair
League of Women Voters National Convention was held in Atlanta, Georgia June 11 through 15th. Sandra Mowell attended as the delegate for the LWV of Indianapolis League. Following are a few items of interest regarding the convention.
Carrie Sosbe, LWV of Montgomery County and Sandra Mowell, LWV of Indianapolis at the opening plenary session.
Over 600 delegates from 45 states plus the District of Columbia participated at the convention. There were many informative caucuses and workshops as well as the regular business conducted such as approving a budget and electing a new national board.
Link to Convention Actions:
http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Council_and_Convention&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=15555
Karen Kay Leonard participates in the roll call of states.
Check out the following links for more information:
Streamlined, Community-Based and Vibrant: The League Simplified to Meet 100 Years of Making Democracy Work!
Check out the information at the LWVUS website - http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Council_and_Convention&CONTENTID=15582&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm
Voter Registration Drives: Quantify your impact & help your community vote
http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Council_and_Convention&CONTENTID=15573&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm
There were two studies which were voted on and approved by the delegate body. While neither study will be gearing up for a while, here are some ideas on background reading for both subjects so that when the time come times to do our study, we'll have a head start:
Federal Role in Public Education - Kendra Clauser, LWVIndy Board member put together this list of articles on the topic.
Privatization: The policy agenda to transfer government functions, services and assets to the private sector.
The second study was put forth by the Seattle, Washington League after conducting a local study on this issue. For more information on what they looked at with their study visit their website: http://www.seattlelwv.org/
On the home page, go to the Library tab under "view back issues of the Seattle Voter" go to the Sept 09 issue. Starting on page 14 of this issue you can read the report on their study. On the home page scroll down to "View past LWV Seattle forums". Click on "King County TV - original programming, in their search box enter the words "League of Women Voters" and search. The 7th entry down is a 1 hour 30 minute forum titled "League of Women Voters Forum - Privatization" or you can find the link on their Facebook page I am told.
Adopted by concurrence:
LWVUS supports legislation to equalize the legal rights, obligations, and benefits available to same-gender couples with those available to heterosexual couples
And
LWVUS supports the use of the National Popular Vote Compact as one acceptable way to achieve the goal of the direct popular vote for election of the president until the abolition of the Electoral College is accomplished.
Adopted resolutions:
LWVUS supports the lifting of travel restrictions for Americans going to Cuba, safe drilling and mining for energy resources, call for Senate to change its rules to limit the use of the filibuster, advocate strongly for bills that legislate for improved Medicare for all, and highlighting the need for those responsible for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill to be held accountable and demanding our government hold those responsible accountable for the clean-up.
Workshops and other information:
Youth Engagement in Elections -
LWV of Iowa - "Be a Pollworker" campaign http://www.beapollworker.org
2010 Oregon Student Mock Election http://www.nationalmockelection.org
http://www.lwvor.org/mockelection.htm
Fair Elections Now Act - (S.252, H.R. 26) learn more at http://www.LWVBC.org, the Boulder Colorado League mainly wanted everyone to contact their legislators to ask them to co-sponsor the legislation. A vote will be coming up probably this summer!
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