Hobbs last week unveiled her budget, headlined by a plan to repeal the universal voucher program and revert to the more limited program that serves about 12,000 Arizona students. That move, along with ending results-based funding for high-performing schools, would add nearly $200 million to the public school budget next year. 1
In Arizona, public schools are the centers of our communities. Our local public schools must be well-funded and well-resourced to create safer, stronger communities and a stronger economy.
However, Arizona’s public school system is the worst-funded in the nation. This means Arizona children are not getting the quality education they deserve. Schools have been forced to slash budgets for teacher and staff salaries, programs, nurses, counselors, extracurriculars, advanced coursework, the arts, and more.
Dictator like behavior of the McMinn County school board in Tennessee has been accused of Nazi like behavior banning certain books from their libraries as inappropriate for eighth graders. Although the excuse seems that the book is too mature for the age of the students, it seems like the real reason, to some folks, is that the school board is trying to deny the holocaust.
According to most Americans and those opposing Donald Trump, arming teachers is a very bad idea.
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From the ACLU website and email newsletter:
Students around the country are turning last week’s heartbreaking school shooting in Parkland, Florida into an inspiring push for change. In addition to grieving the lives of 17 classmates, students have met with the President, spoken their minds to Members of Congress, and taken to the streets and the internet. This is an incredible example of what people power looks like – what the First Amendment feels like in practice.
In the past few days, we’ve heard from students, parents, and teachers asking what students’ rights are – and whether schools can discipline students for speaking out.
Plans for coordinated student walkouts have been making national news and have already spurred disciplinary threats from some school administrators. That’s why we think it’s so important that everyone learns about their rights. [1]
Click Here for information about the Thursday, March 1, 2018, 8pm ET, phone call.
You’ll hear from student leaders and members of the ACLU legal team, like me, on our constitutional right to free speech and expression, and what it means for students who want to speak out. We’ll also share some details on how to report any possible First Amendment violations so that our team can track what’s going on around the country.
We’re inspired by the leadership and courage that students across the country have shown in response to the tragic shooting at Stoneman High School.
Whether you’re a young person or a parent, teacher, school staff or ally, we hope you’ll join us to learn about students’ rights. [1]
Students: Know Your Rights!
Thursday, March 1
8pm ET / 5pm PT
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