ASCD takes a long-term approach to advocacy goals.
Imagine a time when every child arriving at school is ready to learn. Imagine every child stepping onto campus nourished and physically fit. Imagine all those children walking into a clean, contemporary, safe building—they glide through the hallways and are greeted by adults who know their names.
Imagine those kids sitting in their classrooms engaged in and challenged by the curriculum in front of them and at peace with the environment around them. Imagine the gateways to other countries and languages, other cultures and histories, and mathematical and scientific concepts being opened to them by dedicated teachers.
These students participate in extracurricular activities where every child is welcomed and challenged. They reach out to their communities and give back what they have learned. They work in those communities and continue to learn because the adults from surrounding businesses know their names and are equally invested in their success.
Imagine how those communities would progress, as generations of children are educated through public schools where everyone enjoys equal access to excellent teachers and challenging curriculum. They all have opportunities to achieve academic success, to learn critical lessons in tolerance and fairness, justice and democracy. They all start out as whole children and grow up to become mature adults.
This vision is what ASCD is trying to achieve.
Destination: Success
ASCD is working closely with the U.S. Congress to achieve positive changes and to ensure effective policies without compromising the long-term commitment to the Whole Child Compact. The Association is making progress this year in Washington, D.C., where several legislative initiatives, such as the following, are being considered that can help ASCD realize its goals:
- Expanding health insurance for more underprivileged and uninsured children. Current statistics indicate that about nine million children in the United States have no health insurance. Congress is considering proposals that would eventually reduce that number by three million. Providing health insurance for children means more doctor visits and treatment for maladies such as asthma and allergies. As a result, children would be able to focus on learning without being hampered by treatable ailments. ASCD continues to advocate that Congress expand the Children's Health Insurance Program, so that more of those nine million uninsured children can receive appropriate health care.
- Expanding Head Start. This historically effective early childhood program provides education as well as assistance for low-income kids and families. ASCD is working to facilitate cooperation with local schools to ensure a continuum of activities that enhance school readiness.
- Accomplishing more with additional federal funding. Because Congress is still engaged in its annual funding debate, there is a real opportunity for this goal to be accomplished. As of August (prior to publication of this issue of Education Update), early indications were promising, with increases slated for schools and education programs that could be nearly eight percent above last year's funding levels. ASCD has been active with the appropriations committees in both houses of Congress to get substantial future increases that will allow schools and educators to better prepare the U.S. workforce for the 21st century.
- Reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. The evaluation process presents a great opportunity for revitalizing and restructuring the law. ASCD continues to work to improve NCLB. Thanks to the efforts of its Educator Advocates, ASCD has been at the forefront of discussions to move forward on high school redesign as part of the reauthorization.
Voices in Unison
Imagine if all ASCD members were taking action and making their voices heard on all of these issues. Imagine the power of 178,000 educators speaking as one. You can make that goal a reality by joining ASCD Educator Advocates. Throughout the year, Educator Advocates receive e-mails on critical education policies and ASCD goals. ASCD is relying on Educator Advocates to help promote these goals by reaching out to Congressional representatives, state and local legislators, and civic leaders.
If ASCD members pause here at the beginning of the 21st century to collectively reflect on their commitment to the success of each learner and the education of the whole child, the opportunities that lie ahead will be limited only by imagination.