Get involved in politics to help schools, Rex advises educators
Superintendent Jim Rex
Superintendent's proposals
An introductory video that preceded state Education Superintendent Jim Rex's speech highlighted his school reform initiatives, such as:
Creating an Office of Innovation and Support at the state Department of Education
Expanding virtual schools program
Working with Palmetto Priority Schools to raise achievement at historically under-performing schools
Piloting a diesel-electric hybrid school bus program
Establishing an office of Public School Choice with statewide coordinators for Montessori and single-gender programs
Establishing a Teacher Renewal Center to re-energize teachers
Partnering with the state Housing Authority to offer low-interest home loans for teachers.
It's been less than two weeks since state Education Superintendent Jim Rex won the battle for the state to reform its accountability laws, but he already is rallying education advocates to fight for much-needed changes to the state's decades-old school funding formula.
Rex urged educators on Wednesday in his second State of Education Address to mobilize, get involved in the political process and push for this "daunting and important challenge."
"Its outcome will shape what our state looks like — for better or for worse — for coming decades," Rex told more than 1,800 school principals and educators at the annual School Leadership Institute in Myrtle Beach.
He acknowledged that changing the state's tax system and method for funding schools will be more challenging because it's a more complex situation with more vested interest groups. But he said he sees an increased sense of urgency among business and community leaders to tackle this issue because they understand the system is broken.
"These kinds of reform are not only possible but probable if you get this grassroots support," he said.
He pointed to recent changes to the state's Education Accountability Act, which hadn't been revised in a decade. Many told Rex it was politically foolish to pursue the changes, he said, but the bill got unanimous bipartisan support from the General Assembly and was allowed to pass into law by the governor because of the number of people who got involved, he said.
"We, the education community, must lead and demonstrate what effective advocacy looks like," he said.
He gave educators specific examples of what they could do to get involved. He asked them to sign and publicize a petition at www.goodbyeminimallyadequate.com that would change the state constitution by replacing the current standard of "minimally adequate education" to "a high quality education, allowing each student to reach his highest potential."
He asked educators to reach out to business, faith and community leaders, volunteers, retirees and legislators and talk of the need for funding reform.
He asked teachers, parents and high school students to register to vote and develop plans to ensure that citizens actually exercise that right.
"Teachers have to be reminded that they have a constitutional right and obligation to not just register and vote but to reach out and get involved in the political process," as long as they do it on their own time, he said. Teachers have the same rights as anyone else to get involved, though some have gotten the message from district offices that they shouldn't, he said.
"That's ridiculous. ... Those days have gone. Teachers don't give up their constitutional rights because they chose this profession."
Katie Hines-McCormack is a teacher at West Ashley High School and treasurer of the Charleston Teacher Alliance, a teacher advocacy organization. She agreed it's up to educators to fight for the public schools .
Educators should push for needed changes in their profession without fear of repercussion, and they should get involved in local or state advocacy groups, she said.
"We have to be the spokespeople," she said.
Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 7 comment(s)
Posted by lou9 on June 19, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This guy is a prime example of what is wrong with public education. His solutions are the same tired liberal drivel we've been hearing for years: give us more money and we'll spend it on things that have nothing to do with educating your children. Creating an office of innovation and support? That will result in more administratiors with bloated salaries, higher taxes, and no results. Virtual schools? What the heck is that? What's wrong with real schools? A teacher renewal center to "reenergize teachers"? That sounds like taxpayer funded vacations for teachers. This guy is a typical educrat. A lot of hot air and no substance.
Posted by carolinadude on June 19, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Rex,
Talk is cheap sir! Simply changing a phrase from "minimally adequate" to "high quality" accomplishes nothing. Mr. Rex, you're truly a "spinmaster", and rhetoric does not improve education. Good teachers and textbooks coupled with loving parents and caring communities improve education. So Mr. Rex, the taxpayers are fed up with being 50th in the USA. Your actions speak louder than words, and as a taxpayer, I believe that it's time to put aside all of the fads and return to the basics of teaching children to read, write and compute. And by the way, it shouldn't take 10-12 thousand dollars per year per student educate our children.
Posted by carolinadude on June 19, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And furthermore, over the past decades of declining declining public school excellence and increasing public school crime, many parents have chosen the expensive option of transferring to private schools or the time consuming option of homeschooling. Many more have remained in public schools where they face an inferior curricula that fail to teach the basics but indoctrinate children in beliefs and attitudes that the parents find contrary to their faith and values. The parents that I talk with around the state are about as fed up with the education establishment and their constant whining for more money as they have been with their attempt at immigration reform this last couple of years. So Mr. Rex, be aware that the "silent majority" of concerned parents and community and church leaders have had about enough of the rhetoric and will demand education reform in the same manner that they've demanded immigration reform this year. HAVE A NICE DAY
Posted by theronce on June 19, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonderful idea, anything to add one more or strengthen one more interest group that serves its own interests first. What a racket the education system has become! If only they can get into the system deep enough, the funds appear to be unlimited to them. Yes, money, money, money. I learned to read, write, and cipher with paper, pen, blackboards, and no computer, calculator, or air conditioning. I do not expect the (not all but too many) overprotected and overindulged kids today to do with so little, but what the heck has more money got to do with it?
Posted by bkeelin on June 19, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so glad we homeschool our children. My kids have just started learning Greek in addition to their regular studies and one of my sons is already a year ahead of where he should be. I hate that my tax dollars are wasted by the public school system but my children's education and well being are much more important.
Posted by zoomru on June 19, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jim !!!.....
At least your not smiling...that is a positive SIGN!! You just need to get this article to run statewide ...in all forms of print to get everyone TALKING. You'll take arrows no matter what you do...but I suggest "Open Door" sessions just like Sanford. Most people may not care....BUT..maybe ...just maybe; lightening may strike and solutions may be voiced that haven't even been thought of?!!
Posted by sfarris on June 19, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Teachers, on top of being in an underpaid, overworked, high stress job without appreciation, you must now decide to become politicians, since you work in such a politically charged atmosphere, teachers, this extra work should come easy for you..just take a deep breathe and give up some more of that energy! Come on you can do it!!! :) It's funny because every politian will grandstand on the changes that need to happen in education, a hot topic, but it is up to teachers to actually effect change..wonder why teachers are so hesitant to be on the front lines of that job..could it be fear of losing their own job..? The idea is ideal but not substantial for the changes that really need to be made. How about Mr. Rex get behind his teachers and get them a union!!