Everything is connected

I have yet to talk to someone who doesn't think that education is the key to success. We have heard this mantra and seen it first hand over and over again. We know the statistics about the link between education and poverty. My students are very aware of this: They are in the program to escape poverty.

Yet I am drawn to education policy not because I think it's a panacea for poverty alleviation (although it will certainly help). I am drawn to education policy because I think it's connected to so much more: for instance, the economy, international relations, and social justice. Hear me out: First, say you do believe the premise that with a good education, anyone can be successful. And think about what the definition is of success for many people: having enough money to live comfortably. People who live comfortably contribute to the economy. Therefore a well-educated population leads to a stronger economy. It is in our best economic interests to invest in education (which, by the way, may not be as expensive as we think).

Next, think about how many of us gauge "success" in this country. We are capitalists; therefore, many of us value competition. And when you compare the U.S.'s stats to many of those from other countries, we fall woefully behind. (There are several studies about this, the most recent one being here.) Improving education in this country will make this country look more desirable in how we approach education.

My last point was about social justice, which is incredibly broad. It of course ties into poverty alleviation, and that is one of the goals of education. But it also ties into making sure that every single child has access to an education system that fits his or her needs. This is not yet the case in much of this country.

This is why I teach. These are the reasons why education policy is so important: It affects everything.

Still here!

Obviously, it has been forever since I have written, and one reason is because this year has been absolutely crazy. I'm not really sure why I'm so much busier this year. I even have one fewer class.

But the reason I decided to write tonight is because of a discrepancy I just witnessed.

As background, I am constantly called away from my class to attend IEP (Individual Education Plan) meetings. Most of the time, they are a waste of time -- a litany of teachers saying the same things over and over again about a student to decide whether or not s/he needs services. Clearly, I am not a fan (at least not when I should be teaching instead), nor are most other teachers. But we are legally required to go if summoned.

I had one of said meetings today, only it was slightly different because it was what's called a "Manifestation Meeting." What happened was one of my more difficult students, who has an IEP for an emotional disorder, had been suspended for smoking pot on school property and then entered into an alternative program. I was wondering why she wasn't expelled instead, but evidently (which I found out just today), due to her "disability," she was given a lesser punishment, and this meeting was to determine whether or not she knew the difference between right or wrong. Did we really need to have a meeting about that? She isn't five. Also, apparently this was her second strike. I know this girl; she knew exactly what she was doing. There should not have been any special treatment. But the school district was so paranoid about playing by the rules because of the (sometimes ridiculous) legal requirements of special education.

I believe school administrators need to stop kowtowing to special education. How about treating all kids special, instead?