Matt Paulson thinks of himself as a Republican. But he's not happy with Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plans for funding Minnesota's public schools.
"I'm directly affected by what happens to public schools," said the Northfield High School sophomore. "More money means I get a better education." Standing on the steps of the state Capitol, Paulson looked out over the thousands of people who gathered at the Capitol late Monday afternoon to demand increases in education funding.
"I'm part of history right now," said Paulson, sweeping his arm toward the crowd.
Students, parents, teachers and other concerned citizens arrived by school bus, car and on foot for the massive rally ? one of the largest ever to support public education, organizers said. Standing on the snowy Capitol lawn, people cheered and chanted as several speakers called on legislators to increase funding for elementary and secondary schools.
Minnesota "cannot afford to have the systematic dismantling and disconnection of our educational programs continue," said Tom Keating, Minnesota's "Teacher of the Year," and one of the rally speakers. A veteran of 34 years in the classroom, Keating called on lawmakers to provide the tools he and other teachers need to do their jobs. And he questioned the logic behind current educational "reforms" that emphasize test scores above all else.
"Quality education starts with a touch ? not a test," he said. "Caring ? not a quiz."
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| Teachers from Wheelock Early Childhood and Special Education in St. Paul used creative ways to get their message across. |
Teachers from Wheelock Early Childhood and Special Education in St. Paul dramatized their message with a long rope, on which they had tied children's shoes and the sign, "Take a Walk in Their Shoes."
The shoes are from the supply that staff members keep in their classrooms for needy students, said Cathy Nielsen, an educational assistant.
"I think they (legislators) need to come out to schools and spend a day in a classroom," she said. Lawmakers would see how budget cuts at the state level have translated to larger class sizes, fewer supplies and fewer services.
Ann Fate, a school nurse, said many schools are eliminating health care staff, at a time "we are seeing more and more Minnesota kids with chronic health problems," such as diabetes and asthma. The cuts in school nursing positions are compounded by the fact that many families with young children will lose their health care coverage if lawmakers approve Pawlenty's proposed cuts in the state-operated MinnesotaCare plan.
Rhonda Debough-Insook, a St. Paul mom, attended the rally with her six-year-old son, Simon, and four-year-old daughter, Lila. The youngsters sported signs reading, "I am a sound investment."
"I think public education is very, very important," Debough-Insook explained. "I'm very concerned about the direction public education is headed and I don't see a lot of commitment from our legislators."
Other than the call for adequate funding, the rally was short on specific proposals. The event was organized by the Alliance for Student Achievement, a coalition of 10 organizations. One of its members, Education Minnesota, has called on Pawlenty and the Legislature to restore $185 million in educational cuts from the last state budget, and to increase state support by $600 per pupil in the upcoming two-year budget to keep up with inflation.
In addition to Education Minnesota, the Alliance's members are the Association of Metropolitan School Districts; Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals; Minnesota Association of School Administrators; Minnesota Association of School Business Officials; Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association; Minnesota Parent, Teacher and Student Association; Minnesota Rural Education Association; Minnesota School Boards Association; and Schools for Equity in Education.
For more information
Visit the Alliance's website, www.allianceforstudentachievement.org
More rally photos
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| Rhonda Debough-Insook, a St. Paul mom, attended the rally with her six-year-old son, Simon, and four-year-old daughter, Lila. |
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| Buses lined the streets around the Capitol for the rally (above). Second-grader Amanda Pesta (below) got a boost on her dad's shoulders. Her father, Jeff, is an administrator at Sunrise Park Middle School in White Bear Lake. Union Advocate photo |
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| Participants carried signs and banners and filled large areas of the Capitol lawn. Union Advocate photo |
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Matt Paulson thinks of himself as a Republican. But he’s not happy with Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s plans for funding Minnesota’s public schools.
“I’m directly affected by what happens to public schools,” said the Northfield High School sophomore. “More money means I get a better education.” Standing on the steps of the state Capitol, Paulson looked out over the thousands of people who gathered at the Capitol late Monday afternoon to demand increases in education funding.
“I’m part of history right now,” said Paulson, sweeping his arm toward the crowd.
Students, parents, teachers and other concerned citizens arrived by school bus, car and on foot for the massive rally ? one of the largest ever to support public education, organizers said. Standing on the snowy Capitol lawn, people cheered and chanted as several speakers called on legislators to increase funding for elementary and secondary schools.
Minnesota “cannot afford to have the systematic dismantling and disconnection of our educational programs continue,” said Tom Keating, Minnesota’s “Teacher of the Year,” and one of the rally speakers. A veteran of 34 years in the classroom, Keating called on lawmakers to provide the tools he and other teachers need to do their jobs. And he questioned the logic behind current educational “reforms” that emphasize test scores above all else.
“Quality education starts with a touch ? not a test,” he said. “Caring ? not a quiz.”
|
| Teachers from Wheelock Early Childhood and Special Education in St. Paul used creative ways to get their message across. |
Teachers from Wheelock Early Childhood and Special Education in St. Paul dramatized their message with a long rope, on which they had tied children’s shoes and the sign, “Take a Walk in Their Shoes.”
The shoes are from the supply that staff members keep in their classrooms for needy students, said Cathy Nielsen, an educational assistant.
“I think they (legislators) need to come out to schools and spend a day in a classroom,” she said. Lawmakers would see how budget cuts at the state level have translated to larger class sizes, fewer supplies and fewer services.
Ann Fate, a school nurse, said many schools are eliminating health care staff, at a time “we are seeing more and more Minnesota kids with chronic health problems,” such as diabetes and asthma. The cuts in school nursing positions are compounded by the fact that many families with young children will lose their health care coverage if lawmakers approve Pawlenty’s proposed cuts in the state-operated MinnesotaCare plan.
Rhonda Debough-Insook, a St. Paul mom, attended the rally with her six-year-old son, Simon, and four-year-old daughter, Lila. The youngsters sported signs reading, “I am a sound investment.”
“I think public education is very, very important,” Debough-Insook explained. “I’m very concerned about the direction public education is headed and I don’t see a lot of commitment from our legislators.”
Other than the call for adequate funding, the rally was short on specific proposals. The event was organized by the Alliance for Student Achievement, a coalition of 10 organizations. One of its members, Education Minnesota, has called on Pawlenty and the Legislature to restore $185 million in educational cuts from the last state budget, and to increase state support by $600 per pupil in the upcoming two-year budget to keep up with inflation.
In addition to Education Minnesota, the Alliance’s members are the Association of Metropolitan School Districts; Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals; Minnesota Association of School Administrators; Minnesota Association of School Business Officials; Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association; Minnesota Parent, Teacher and Student Association; Minnesota Rural Education Association; Minnesota School Boards Association; and Schools for Equity in Education.
For more information
Visit the Alliance’s website, www.allianceforstudentachievement.org
More rally photos
|
| Rhonda Debough-Insook, a St. Paul mom, attended the rally with her six-year-old son, Simon, and four-year-old daughter, Lila. |
|
| Buses lined the streets around the Capitol for the rally (above). Second-grader Amanda Pesta (below) got a boost on her dad’s shoulders. Her father, Jeff, is an administrator at Sunrise Park Middle School in White Bear Lake.
Union Advocate photo |
|
|
| Participants carried signs and banners and filled large areas of the Capitol lawn.
Union Advocate photo |