National School Choice Week -- what does it really mean?

So, a local news station is going gaga over National School Choice week. Stories that would normally be about "schools" have become about "choice in education."

I've stayed away from that bruhaha because there's no story. The National School Choice Week is a publicity campaign designed to promote legislation intended to privatize public education. Such as charter school and vouchers.

Don't get me wrong, some charters are great. At the local level, we have some in the hands of community members who are really doing a good job. I give them plenty of ink when they have real news.

But the movement is general is aimed at sucking public dollars from public schools. Privatizers will tell you "public schools are failing," then will give little money to schools to accomplish their tasks, and when the goals set by these reformers are not met, they will deplore with a grin in their faces 'I told you the schools are failing. We should have choices, like vouchers and charters."

It doesn't help that there's districts in severe need of help, but that's another story.

California's spending per pupil just dropped to 49th in the country. It's now 28 percent below the national average. And I don't care what people say about "throwing money at a problem." I've never seen a problem that was not fixed -- or at least comforted -- by money.

Public education is not a problem in affluent districts. When was the last time you heard anybody complain about the public education in Pacific Grover or Carmel? 

Many of the "reformers" who want to see vouchers start pointing fingers to unions and say "they're the problem. They're getting a raise. Education should be about the kids, not the adults."  When the money goes to private institutions, there's no unions to give anybody trouble. Read this piece by Joseph Di Salvo of the Santa Clara County Board of Education and see what I mean. 

So what the choice movement is really about is privatizing public education. You get a charter, a private-like school where you can only get in by lottery, or a voucher  for a private school, what you're doing basically is taking money from the public system (from the unions) and take it into the private realm. It's that simple.

That's why there's so much private industry vested in this movement. That's why the Walton Family Foundation -- Walmart anybody? -- is such a huge supporter.

If you want to get a real education on whose behind the National School Choice Week is really about, I recommend this piece.

Write an essay about the importance of independent media, get a scholarship

Attention high school students: have you ever pondered the following question?

“Why is it important that we have news media that are independent of the government?”

Believe it or not, it's a question that's crucial to my career, so I want to invite all high school students in Monterey County to think about it. And write about it.

And if you'd like, I'll visit your classroom to talk it over. As long as you enter the contest sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists.

SPJ sponsors this contest because it wants to increase high school students' knowledge and understanding of the importance of independent media to our lives.

All students enrolled in grades 9-12 in U.S. public, private and home schools within the United States may enter. Students must submit original work and have a sponsoring teacher sign the contest entry form. Essays should be 300-500 words and must include an entry form. Entries may be typed or handwritten but must be double-spaced.

Three are awards are given: First Place: $1,000 scholarship; Second Place: $500 scholarship; Third Place: $300 scholarship.

Each submission to the High School Essay contest must be accompanied by a $5 entry fee. Entrants may pay by check or credit card and should indicate the preferred payment option on the entry form. Checks should be made out to the Society of Professional Journalists. Entries submitted without the required entry fee will be disqualified. All entries should be postmarked by March 7, 2014.

For more information, click here.

And I'll be expecting your calls so I can come visit your classrooms!

Camel High School hosts rummage sale to benefit sober graduation

Carmel High School parents are asking for donations of sellable items to benefit he school's Sober Graduation. Cash donations are also accepted.

Sellable items will be accepted on Friday, January 31st at the Carmel High School Theatre, 3600 Ocean Avenue, at the intersection of Highway 1 & Ocean Avenue Carmel.

Drop-off times: 8:30am until 2:30pm and from 3:30pm until 6:00pm.

The rummage sale will take place on Saturday, February 1st from 8am until 4pm at the CHS Theatre

For more information, email: CHSPadreparents@gmail.com