April 30, 2009 – (Washington, DC) –The Forum for Education and Democracy today announced that over 10,000 petitioners – more than 100 per day since President Barack Obama took the oath of office – have united to challenge the administration to prioritize four core principles that can guide its ambitious education reform efforts. Petitioners signed onto www.willwereally.com, where they also shared personal stories of effective learning experiences – and demanded that the country’s school system be aligned to ensure that every child in America can tell a similar story.
“Fervent responses from students, parents and teachers across the U.S. have continued to build on the “Yes We Can” hope generated by the Obama administration,” said Sam Chaltain, National Director of The Forum, a national education “action tank” that is sponsoring the campaign. “Now, our task is to infuse the debate with the messages we heard loud and clear from the grassroots – and to hold the administration accountable for real change that can benefit all students.”
The Forum and its signatories will press four issues going forward:
• Prioritizing student learning– measuring both basic skills and each student’s capacity to apply his or her learning to complex problems, to communicate and collaborate effectively, and to find, manage and analyze new information.
• Investing in teachers – launching a purposeful agenda to place well-prepared teachers and leaders in every classroom and every school, and inspiring a “race to the top” for the profession and their preparatory institutions
• Equalizing resources – funding programs for high-needs students, linking future funding to state progress toward more equitable opportunities to learn, and targeting extra resources to the poorest children most hindered by the current system.
• Aligning community supports – investing in after school programs, community health clinics, internship opportunities, and early childhood education programs – and holding schools and elected officials accountable for providing adequate resources and demonstrating academic improvement over time.
“The success of this campaign further reinforces our belief that someone in Washington must work to provide a clear, provocative, insistent and persuasive voice for a system of American public education that is of, by, and for the people,” said Deborah Meier, a former teacher and principal, a 1987 recipient of the MacArthur Foundation’s prestigious “Genius” Award, and one of The Forum’s fourteen Conveners, all national leaders in school reform and educational policy.
“We have an unprecedented opportunity with federal stimulus dollars to make lasting change and help all kids achieve their potential in our democracy,” said George Wood, the Forum’s co-founder. “As a high school principal, I know how critical the job is of preparing these young people for a productive life.”
The Forum for Education and Democracy (http://www.forumforeducation.org/) is a national education "action tank" committed to the public, democratic role of public education — the preparation of engaged and thoughtful democratic citizens. Founded by fourteen of the leading thinkers on education issues today, The Forum works to promote a public education system worthy of a democracy, one characterized by strong public schools, equity of educational resources, and an informed, involved citizenry.
Contact: Susan Oliver
703-216-4078
susanboliver@verizon.net