Well I have put off writing another diary for quite a while. I debated a plethora of candidate diaries, but I have decided to stay above the fray (or below if you prefer). So I am finally back, not because I feel the nomination wrapped up by either candidate but because I have something to write about.
Yesterday was AEA's (Arizona Education Association) Education Day at the Capitol 2008. I looked forward to being able to meet with my state legislators, affect legislation, and maybe learn how the system works. However I came away feeling disappointed, disillusioned, and mad as hell.
If you were unaware, Arizona's legislature is controlled by Republicans. Republicans who, when the state was fat and happy with a surplus a few years back, decided that it was best to give a tax cut instead of using that money to invest in their growing cities and expanding public school system. Today the state is facing a huge deficit somewhere in the range of $1 billion. Their solutions for this problem range from cutting school funding, to cutting school funding, to cutting school funding.
Today we met with legislatures to discuss the deficit's effects on school funding, the new English Language Development program for English Language Learners and how they won’t fund that, and other issues facing education in the state of Arizona.
My disappointment came first. When I walked from my car to the capitol, a few blocks away, I was a fresh faced 2nd year teacher new in the AEA hoping to accomplish something. The tent outside the capitol filling with teachers from across the state made me feel great. We were there to show the legislature that students and teachers matter and that we can be a force for change. Then, as we briefed for the days activities, I learned that the legislators from my district had not returned phone calls to our organizer and would not be meeting with my fellow teachers from District 21. I should not have been too surprised because my State Senator and two Representatives are all Republicans and none of them are looked at fondly by the Association. After briefing I made my way with a large group of other teachers to a house education hearing an filled the room. The standing room only crowd again made me feel like we were making a difference. These legislatures saw us in force on their turf.
I was brought back down to earth again though when I made my way to a listen to a panel of legislators answer questions from my fellow educators. We were basically told by one state senator that we were playing the "victim" when we complain about the way the state funds education. Basically saying we were whiners. I wanted to shout from my seat "THEN STOP VICTIMISING US AND OUR STUDENTS YOU ARROGANT BASTARD!!" But a cool head prevailed for the moment. This same state senator continued to tell us that despite our school funding being ranked 49th out of 50 he declared that the state continues to increase funding on education. Technically he was right...education funding has been going up but only because the amount of students in the state has gone up. In all actuality the amount spent per student has not. A teacher asked a question about how is Arizona going to keep and bring good teachers into the classroom with the low pay we have, mentioning that she doesn't even have a comma in her paycheck. In response skewed numbers were given along with saying that teacher pay in Arizona was just fine and that we actually make good money. When questions about raising taxes or allowing a tax to come back online that was halted when we had a surplus in order to fully fund education we were met with "taxes are no way to get out a recession." Or in other words "investing in Arizona schools is not a priority." One great idea the Republicans have is to suspend building new schools for two year. This year alone districts built around 30 new schools to accommodate growing student population. So instead we can have huge classroom sizes and not enough funding to teach them. I shouldn’t write off everyone who spoke with us at this panel. Three of the five legislators had good things to say, told us they stood with us on key legislation, and discussed ways to help fund education. Over all though I came away more disappointed and disillusioned.
Finally, I left today mad as hell. I am mad that I thought I could effect legislators who are not with us on certain issues. I don't think that is possible anymore. A show of force, though we were today, can not get the job done. We need progressive candidates who understand that education is not just a service provided by the state. It is an investment in the state's future and more importantly in the children of the state of Arizona. We have to realize that its not enough to know that my child goes to a good school but that every child goes to a good school. That every child has the opportunity to attend a school that will provide them with the tools to succeed in life. I am sick of hearing that I, as a teacher, am playing the victim card, that I just need to shut up and teach, and that I don't understand the issues facing the legislature. What I understand now is that some of the legislators I met with today don't care about education. They can talk a good game and throw numbers out but if they truly cared they would put the money where their mouth is. Today I heard that "we shouldn't spend recklessly" when it comes to education. I don’t know that you can spend recklessly when it comes to the future of our children. But then again I am not an arrogant Republican.