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In Finance and Budgets
Students from North Lawndale/Little Village and Julian high schools joined young people across the nation Thursday afternoon to protest budget cuts. Most of the students outside of Chicago were from universities and were angry at proposed tuition hikes and program slashing. In Chicago, the students had been prepped by their teachers--members of C.O.R.E., a progressive faction of the teachers’ union—about the CPS deficit and the prospect of the district axing after school, sports and other programs. The group of about 40 students marched down Clark Street chanting “No Money, No Schools, No Future!” “Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho! School Closings have got to go!” and “What do we want? Education! When do we want it? Now!”
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Fri Mar 5, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Students protest budget cuts
It's great to see students taking an active role fighting the decimation of their community schools and programs. As educators we must clearly lay out what is at stake in this budget crisis so that parents and students can understand what will be lost.
Fri Mar 5, 2010 at 8:10 PM
Students protest budget cuts
While it's good to see kids act in the civic interest, it's disturbing to see that they have been "prepped" by the left-wing radical c.o.r.e.
Further, let's not forget that the taxpayers of the city, state, and federal government already spend more than $10,000 per year on each of these kids.
Further, let's not forget that the taxpayers of the city, state, and federal government already spend more than $10,000 per year on each of these kids.
Fri Mar 5, 2010 at 8:32 PM
Students protest budget cuts
Teachers who address topics of relevance to students' lives, and encourage student civic action, should be applauded, not denigrated.
Amazing how Sean turns student interest and action into that which serves his own political interests. Why not simply applaud students for taking a stand for their own education?
Amazing how Sean turns student interest and action into that which serves his own political interests. Why not simply applaud students for taking a stand for their own education?
Fri Mar 5, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Students protest budget cuts
and we spend about 3 times that amount on prisoners??? so what is your point??????
Sat Mar 6, 2010 at 8:10 AM
Students protest budget cuts
I have to agree with Sean here, instead of that leftist radical CORE message that our schools and students should be properly funded, they should have been protesting for Daley to take even more TIF money. That way the city's business community would thrive and that money would trickle down to education. Give a man a fish and he'll eat today. Don't tax a man for the fish he catches and he'll hire 8 more men to fish tomorrow.
Sun Mar 7, 2010 at 1:04 AM
Students protest budget cuts
There is no left left in the U.S. McCarthy took care of that. OK, I exaggerate a bit.
But should we want to know about left, we might look at, say, Scandinavian countries. If we looked we might note that unemployment and poverty is much lower, health care is much better, and education is quite good. Dare say I that these are proud socialist countries with very competitive industry?
So, to your $10,000 worry, I say no funding increase to public education. To improve student performance, the focus should be on reducing income inequity (increase taxes of the super rich and corporations), reducing poverty (increasing jobs with decent wages), and reducing costs of health care (Medicare for all).
But should we want to know about left, we might look at, say, Scandinavian countries. If we looked we might note that unemployment and poverty is much lower, health care is much better, and education is quite good. Dare say I that these are proud socialist countries with very competitive industry?
So, to your $10,000 worry, I say no funding increase to public education. To improve student performance, the focus should be on reducing income inequity (increase taxes of the super rich and corporations), reducing poverty (increasing jobs with decent wages), and reducing costs of health care (Medicare for all).
Sun Mar 7, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Students protest budget cuts
We should all be tired of the games now. Let's be honest - teachers and The Board are framing the argument within a context of care and concern for the STUDENTS. When PARENTS get serious about their REAL POWER in the public school system and STUDENTS realize they are the GOLDEN CALF in this mix (especially low income students and special ed students) all those who are trying to maintain their pension, livelihoods , and careers will be made to go - leaving only the folks who really care.
The only politico who sees the game clearly is Meeks. He know the real power is in the parents and students. There comes a time for any system, whether human or mechanical to be corrected. Public schools in Chicago have failed the majority of it's students. Parents in Chicago have been slipping on their responsibilities and students are only acting out what they've seen childish adults do for years. We should all be tired of the cover ups, the lies, and the games all played on the backs of LOW INCOME children. Destroy the system. Give everyone vouchers. Good teachers will start small schools everywhere. Force parent involvement by making them shop around in their own communities for a good school and make them pick-up the voucher. Don't mail it. Make parents think about this CHOICE. Make small schools market - force them to knock on doors to talk about learning in low income communities. If educators NEED students to eat/to live force them to go get them, and not rely on compulsory education laws to send them to wicked warehouses of wack education. End high school at 10th grade. Send the students to community college to finish the last two years. Nuff Said!
The only politico who sees the game clearly is Meeks. He know the real power is in the parents and students. There comes a time for any system, whether human or mechanical to be corrected. Public schools in Chicago have failed the majority of it's students. Parents in Chicago have been slipping on their responsibilities and students are only acting out what they've seen childish adults do for years. We should all be tired of the cover ups, the lies, and the games all played on the backs of LOW INCOME children. Destroy the system. Give everyone vouchers. Good teachers will start small schools everywhere. Force parent involvement by making them shop around in their own communities for a good school and make them pick-up the voucher. Don't mail it. Make parents think about this CHOICE. Make small schools market - force them to knock on doors to talk about learning in low income communities. If educators NEED students to eat/to live force them to go get them, and not rely on compulsory education laws to send them to wicked warehouses of wack education. End high school at 10th grade. Send the students to community college to finish the last two years. Nuff Said!
Sun Mar 7, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Students protest budget cuts
So what does the student protest have to do with left vs right rhetoric? Sounds like losers are pretending to have something to say when they just want to bash the only teachers doing something. Trickle down only help the rich get richer and they didn't hire 8 men to fish, buddy. They took their companies to Mexico, India & China (they left Mexico cuz they wanted to eat) so they didn't have to pay living wages to Americans. Get a grip.
Sun Mar 7, 2010 at 3:35 PM
Students protest budget cuts
I partly agree with "new beginning:" Parents have the real power, but they don't use it.
Students, however, do not have power. They don't have money, and they cannot vote.
Further, their lack of understanding what a good school and good teachers are like means that they support a status quo with which they are already comfortable.
Involved parents would be better able to help their kids see through the fact that these c.o.r.e. teachers are just using them for their own political ends.
Students, however, do not have power. They don't have money, and they cannot vote.
Further, their lack of understanding what a good school and good teachers are like means that they support a status quo with which they are already comfortable.
Involved parents would be better able to help their kids see through the fact that these c.o.r.e. teachers are just using them for their own political ends.
Sun Mar 7, 2010 at 4:12 PM
Students protest budget cuts
Sean, your fundamental mistrust of students and negativity about the capabilities of youth to identify and support good teachers and good schools are sad.
Students know who their outstanding teachers are, know what an excellent school looks like, and are intelligent enough to realize that the best, most successful organizations value the common folk - in this case, the students themselves.
Your conspiracy theory about CORE teachers, however, is cute. : )
Students know who their outstanding teachers are, know what an excellent school looks like, and are intelligent enough to realize that the best, most successful organizations value the common folk - in this case, the students themselves.
Your conspiracy theory about CORE teachers, however, is cute. : )
Sun Mar 7, 2010 at 4:25 PM
Students protest budget cuts
Remememeber every teacher was once a student. We didnt exactly learn in paradise either. Some of us, from an older generation, were even legally slapped .
I have been callled cracker and friend called white B*&&, and the students suffered nothing. I agree there are bad teachers and bad students a like. I went to school in the 80's, believe me we had some bad teachers too. However, never did I say, "shut up you fat ass!". I respected them and learned on my own.
I was bored in college too, but I knew that I needed to respect my professors and chose to fight other battles.
Howeverm I think these kids protesting like this is A GOOD thing. They are showing their frustraion in a more democratic forum instead of smoking pot in the bathroom and throwing gang signs at their teachers!!
I have been callled cracker and friend called white B*&&, and the students suffered nothing. I agree there are bad teachers and bad students a like. I went to school in the 80's, believe me we had some bad teachers too. However, never did I say, "shut up you fat ass!". I respected them and learned on my own.
I was bored in college too, but I knew that I needed to respect my professors and chose to fight other battles.
Howeverm I think these kids protesting like this is A GOOD thing. They are showing their frustraion in a more democratic forum instead of smoking pot in the bathroom and throwing gang signs at their teachers!!
Mon Mar 8, 2010 at 7:02 AM
Students protest budget cuts
Look at every protest movement throughout the last century. Who has been behind it? The parents of the students. From the 1960s in America to Iran this year--it's always the parents of high school and university students who lead the charge. After all, as Sean puts it, students are far too invested in the status quo to want change.
Tue Mar 9, 2010 at 4:55 PM
Students protest budget cuts
Before you all praise the power of parents with children who attend k-12 schools, be they public or private, let us pause to consider the following demographic reality. Based on the current census estimates only 47.9% of the US population of voting aged adults are in the age span most likely to be parents. Adults without children represent 45% of the U.S. under age 65 population.
This reality has meant in many communities that the majority of property tax payers do not have children in k-12 schools. This also means in many cases there is not the political will to pay taxes for education. This is reflected in the fact that where school districts have votes on referendum for education funding issues they are likely to lose, and I suspect if Chicago had such a referendum for property tax increases CPS would lose the vote in Chicago.
Rod Estvan
This reality has meant in many communities that the majority of property tax payers do not have children in k-12 schools. This also means in many cases there is not the political will to pay taxes for education. This is reflected in the fact that where school districts have votes on referendum for education funding issues they are likely to lose, and I suspect if Chicago had such a referendum for property tax increases CPS would lose the vote in Chicago.
Rod Estvan
Thu Apr 8, 2010 at 8:06 PM
Students protest budget cuts
I am proud to be one of the protesters today. We as CPS students do have power and i believe that we showed it today. WE ARE THE FUTURE and WE ARE HISTORY.
Thu Apr 8, 2010 at 8:29 PM
Students protest budget cuts
hey mr estavan! remember you too once were a child and someone paid for your edudcation! i think its your duty to continue the tradition!!
i agree its a tough decision! but can you be so selfish to think you owe noting to the youth of your community?
btw i am in my 40s!!!
i agree its a tough decision! but can you be so selfish to think you owe noting to the youth of your community?
btw i am in my 40s!!!
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