The March for Education Equity

Columbia, South Carolina

May 15, 2004

 

Jan McCarthy

Executive Director

South Carolina Association of Educators

 

Fifty years ago the Supreme Court Brown v Board of Education decision opened doors of promise for all children in public schools in these United States.  For fifty years we moved forward educating the children of SC.  Progress made as seen by increased test scores, more rigorous expectations of our students.  Public schools demanded more and more being demanded of the public school.

 

So here we are fifty years later and we are seeing promises have been broken, directive by law have been ignored by our elected legislators.  Why this turn around?  This is done so many in these halls can keep a pledge – a pledge that has let our children in public schools down.  A pledge that has kept our educators and public school supporters guessing as to how many programs will be eliminated, how many staff let go, how many children can be stuffed into one classroom.  That is a bogus pledge that defrauds public education and sacrifices the children – the future of South Carolina on the alter of tax cuts, tax credits and vouchers.

 

If a pledge is that important that almighty powerful, then public education needs a pledge too.  And we have one!  Those who want to serve the public in this house must sign a pledge of support for public education.

 

A pledge that will create the education equity that we have marched for today.  A pledge in which NONE of our children will be left behind.

 

This pledge is to fully fund the public school K-12.

 

This pledge is to ban unfunded mandates.  Mandates that have caused successful programs to be pitted against each other.  Sure the state is giving flexibility, but is it flexibility when you are pitting one program for children against another.  Programs that help our children succeed on PACT??????

 

We want each of you to pledge that all children in South Carolina will have equitable access to public education. I want all who have copies of the pledge to hand out to raise your hand.  Each of you needs TWO pledges – one for you to sign and one to give you’re your legislator.  You know under No Child Left Behind every school has to meet 95% standard to be considered meeting the Annual Yearly Progress (AYP).  We want 100% of all legislators to sign this pledge for public education for The South Carolina General Assembly to meet AYP!

 

In our great state of South Carolina – No Child Needs to Be Left Behind – but NO elected official whether he be governor, senator or representative should turn their backs on the future of South Carolina – our public educated children.

 

We marched fifty years ago for public education that was for all children.  We have marched today for equity in education.  Now it is time to take our cause to the streets of every city, town and county in South Carolina.  It is time for these men and women to sign on the dotted line – Support public education, fully fund equitable public education for all children in South Carolina! 

 

Sign the pledge!!!

 

 

Used with permission of the author.