Education issues

Education issues

Take action -

Ask your members to cosponsor the Education for All act

[6-2-08]

From Witness in Washington Weekly, published by the Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), June 2, 2008

Education attacks poverty at its roots, and strengthens families, communities, and nations. In addition to equipping a child with the knowledge and skills needed for a productive life, a basic education offers even deeper and wider returns for health, economic growth, and security, particularly in countries emerging from crisis. The Education for All Act authorizes an increased financial commitment, $1 billion for FY 2008, for U.S. efforts to achieve universal basic education.

What you can do

Ask your Member of Congress to cosponsor the Education for All Act (S. 1259 / H.R. 2092) - cosponsored by Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Senator Gordon Smith (ROR), Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) - which makes universal basic education a priority of U.S. foreign policy. Click here to find contact information for your member of Congress - www.pcusa.org/washington . Send them an email using the following talking points as guidance.

Education is one of the most powerful investments we can make.

An estimated 77 million children worldwide lack access to primary education. Many children are kept from school due to costs associated with schooling or the loss of their contribution to family income.

Impoverished countries also lack the funds to train and retain qualified teachers, provide text books and teaching materials, and build an adequate number of schools. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has further weakened education systems, wiping out a generation of teachers and forcing children, particularly girls, to stay home and care for sick family members. However, a growing number of countries are making real progress through bold policy decisions like the abolition of school fees, creating national education plans through the World Bank's Education for All Fast Track Initiative, and investing more resources in education:

• Tanzania has used its savings from debt relief in 2000 to increase education spending and eliminate school fees. Almost overnight, the number of children enrolled in school more than doubled, from 1.6 million to 3.1 million.

• In the last 4 years, following the abolition of school fees, Kenya has enrolled an additional 2 million children in primary education and reformed the Kenyan system to empower communities and families

• Progress in basic education has also been seen in some of the poorest countries such as Mozambique, Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

Education that teaches tolerance and respect for different beliefs can also be a crucial tool for preventing the rise of extremism worldwide. By making universal basic education a major goal of U.S. foreign policy, our world and our nation will be stronger and safer.

Key provisions of the bill

• Authorizes additional funding for universal basic education - tied to strong standards of accountability and performance - to the tune of $1 billion for Fiscal Year 2008, $1.5 billion for FY09, $2 billion for FY10, $2.5 billion for FY11, and $3 billion for FY12.

• The bill also seeks to prioritize funding for eliminating school fees and expanding access to education, training teachers and building infrastructure, promoting civic education and life skills training and supporting initiatives that reach the most disadvantaged populations.

• Establishes the position of an Education for All Coordinator, and calls for regular progress reports from the President.

General Assembly Guidance:

1996 Statement - PC(USA), pp. 524, 526, 532-533

[The 208th General Assembly (1996) adopted the paper Hope for a Global Future: Toward Just and Sustainable Human Development as policy for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)]

Just and sustainable human development is the comprehensive enhancement of the quality of life for all, present and future; it necessarily involves the integration of economic, social, political, cultural, ecological, and spiritual dimensions of being. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seeks just and sustainable human development because the church believes that God wills the fullness of life for all people.

[One of the Principles of this policy states that] Education is a basic human right and is essential to human development because it enhances human capacities, improves opportunities, and widens the range of choices. It encourages governmental, nongovernmental, and multilateral development assistance agencies . . . to give high priority to extending and improving educational programs and systems to foster just and sustainable human development . . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Published by the Witness in Washington Weekly advocacy program of the Washington Office, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Maryland Avenue, NE Washington D.C. 20002, (202) 543-1126 www.pcusa.org/washington . For more information about the content of this article, please email the Washington Office at ga_washington_office@pcusa.org . If you would like to receive this information directly, please go to http://capwiz.com/pcusa/mlm/signup/.

Witherspoon joins in court case:
No need to disclaim evolution, says brief filed in Cobb County, GA
[6-13-05]

The Witherspoon Society has joined an amicus brief filed in support of a recent U.S. District Court decision, Selman v. Cobb County School District, which ruled that the evolution "warning labels" required in Cobb County, Georgia, public school textbooks were unconstitutional. The "friend of the court brief" was filed in the eleventh circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, in response to an appeal seeking to overturn the Selman decision.

An open letter on the integrity of science

The Rev. Herbert Valentine, former Moderator of the PC(USA), has forwarded an open letter which makes clear that Christians are not all standing against science. It may be a good way to tell the Religious Right that they do not represent the Christianity that many of us know. The author is seeking people who will add their names in support of the letter. [2-5-05]

Evolution vs. creationism - resources for the continuing debate [4-23-04]

The evolution-versus-creationism battle has been going on for decades, especially in struggles in countless local school boards around the country. We've been asked for material that would help people deal with the arguments in their own communities.

For starters, we offer a short "op ed" piece written recently for the St. Paul Pioneer Press by Jamie Crannell, a science teacher in a Twin Cities high school. He has also been serving as a member of the Minnesota Academic Standards Committee, which was created to deal with the designing of new standards in both the natural and social sciences.

If you can suggest (or write!) other resources,
please send a note
and we'll share them all here.

South Africa offers a different and thoughtful look at the relation between religion and education [7-16-03]

As the U.S. continues to struggle with the role of religion (if any, and that's part of the debate) in education, a recent "Draft Policy on Religion and Education in South Africa" may offer food for thought from a quite different setting.

We post it here not as an example to be followed, but as an alternative approach whose consideration might help us in our own thinking within the U.S. context.

It comes to us via the South African e-list called e-PRAXIS, which describes itself as "engaging faith and society" and is based in the theological community of South Africa.

The paper is long, but we have highlighted some of the topics and ideas that may be especially interesting. We invite comments!

Workshop offered for teachers on First Amendment issues and principles

[3-16-02]

This notice has come to us through the Presbyterian Washington Office:

Some of you may have an interest or know of someone who would like to apply for the program described below. It is being offered by the First Amendment Center in Washington DC.

=====================

Greetings:

Because of your past interest in First Amendment issues and principles, I thought you'd appreciate knowing about a special opportunity related to First Amendment education.

The First Amendment Schools project (www.firstamendmentschools.org), in partnership with the Education Program at Newsweek, is hosting a three-day professional development workshop for teachers from July 12-14, 2002. All workshop-related expenses, including travel and lodging, will be provided to 30 teachers, who will:

	learn from national experts about the meaning and significance of the First Amendment;
	learn how to apply and model First Amendment principles in their classrooms and school communities;
	receive teaching materials, including Newsweek's NewsSource unit, "Living up to the First Amendment;"
	receive a fully-paid classroom set (30 copies) of Newsweek for their classrooms for the 2002-2003 school year, and
	receive all Newsweek Education Program benefits for the 2002-2003 school year.

Applicants must be full-time classroom teachers during the 2002/2003 school year in the United States. Teachers selected will be expected to participate in an ongoing evaluation of the program and materials during the school year, and present at least one workshop or professional development activity for teachers in their home community/state during the 2002/2003 school year on the First Amendment in schools.

The deadline for entry is April 15, 2002. If you or someone you know may be interested, please take a look at the online version of the application

(http://school.newsweek.com/pdf_files/fas_application.pdf, http://school.newsweek.com/pdf_files/fas_application.pdfBM__Hlt3185094), or contact Ken Paulsen at (212) 445 4958 or Kenneth.Paulsen@newsweek.com.

Finally, I want to wish good luck to those of you finishing up the grant application to be one of our first ten First Amendment Project Schools. Applications are due by March 15th, and the schools will be announced on May 1.

Check the First Amendment Schools website for further details.

Thanks, and I hope to see some of you in July.

Sam Chaltain
Coordinator
First Amendment Schools Freedom Forum
First Amendment Center
1101 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
703.284.2808 (w)
703.284.2879 (f)

E-mail: schaltain@freedomforum.org
Web site: www.firstamendmentschools.org

Presbyterian Washington Office joins in letter to Congress opposing Rep. Istook's proposed amendment for state-sponsored school prayer.

[11-29-01]

From the Presbyterian Washington Office:

Dated 11/28/01; posted here on 11-29-01

This is a letter signed onto by the Presbyterian Washington Office. Advocates who wish to voice their opinion to members of Congress on issue, should contact them by calling the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121. You could also reach your member through your regional office. In the wake of the events of September 11th, Representative Istook feels that this is the time for state sponsored school prayer. Opponents have pointed out the fact that religious, ethnic, political and cultural intolerance is perhaps at the root of recent terrorist activity. The letter lists organizations from Jewish, Muslim and Christian faith traditions.

+++++++

November 28, 2001

Dear Member of Congress:

As we have in the past, the Coalition to Preserve Religious Liberty vigorously opposes the so-called "religious speech" constitutional amendment to be introduced by Representative Ernest Istook (R-OK). On June 4, 1998, the House of Representatives recognized that a similar "religious freedom" constitutional amendment by Rep. Istook would have hurt rather than helped the cause of religious liberty, and wisely rejected the amendment. Nevertheless, Representative Istook apparently intends again to introduce a "religious speech" constitutional amendment for your consideration.

Some have claimed that the tragedy of September 11 requires reconsideration of this discredited amendment. America's multi-faceted response to terrorism certainly has important spiritual aspects, but reintroducing state-sponsored prayer into the public schools is unnecessary and divisive. The amendment is unnecessary. We already have a "religious freedom" amendment - it is the First Amendment in our Bill of Rights, and it has worked extremely well for more than 200 years. That is exactly why the Bill of Rights has never been amended in our nation's history.

Prayers have not been kicked out of the public schools, and religion has not been zoned out of the public square. Indeed, recent reports indicate that voluntary student-sponsored prayer and religious expression are thriving in today's public schools. Under current law, students can pray and read the Bible privately, say grace at lunch, distribute religious materials to their friends and join voluntary religious clubs in middle and high schools.

The amendment is divisive. For example, the amendment would allow students to use the school intercom to lead captive classroom audiences in prayer, interfering with parents' rights to raise their children and creating a host of troubling questions: Whose prayer will be prayed? Which faith groups will get more days for their prayer? Who will assign prayer opportunities? What will those who object to the prayer do during prayer time? These issues will trigger divisive battles among the hundreds of religious traditions represented in our diverse society.

The amendment effectively would give government officials a constitutional right to promote their own religious beliefs to captive audiences. Judges and drill sergeants could proselytize to their courtrooms and their troops. A county government could effectively turn its offices into a shrine, erecting crosses, menorahs, or other religious symbols throughout the holidays. Governmental endorsement of religion turns religion into a political tool and sends the message that those who don't hold a certain faith are second-class citizens.

In short, the Istook amendment is unneeded and would harm religious liberty in America. Once again, we urge you to protect religious liberty by rejecting this unnecessary and unwise "religious speech" constitutional amendment. Thank you for your consideration of these views.

Yours very truly,

Rev. J. Brent Walker reserve Religious Liberty

American Association of School Administrators
American Association of University Women
American Baptist Churches, USA
American Civil Liberties Union
American Federation of Teachers
American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Congress
Americans for Democratic Action
Americans for Religious Liberty
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Anti-Defamation League
Baptist Joint Committee
B'nai B'rith International
Central Conference of American Rabbi's
Church of the Brethren Washington Office
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church, National Law Center
Friends Committee on National Legislation
General Board of Church & Society,
The United Methodist Church
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Hadassah
The Interfaith Alliance
Interfaith Impact for Justice and Peace
Interfaith Religious Liberty Foundation
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Labor Committee
The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
Jewish Women International
Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Mainstream Loudoun
Mennonite Central Committee, Washington Office
Muslim Public Affairs Council
NA'AMAT, USA
National Association for Elementary School Principals
National Council of Churches
National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
National Council of Jewish Women
National Education Association
National Jewish Democratic Council
National PEARL
People for the American Way
Presbyterian Church USA, Washington Office
Rabbinical Assembly
Rabbinical Council of America
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism,
Union of American Hebrew Congregations
Seventh-day Adventist Church State Council
Soka Gakkai International--USA Buddhist Association
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Union of American Hebrew Religious Congregations
Unitarian Universalist Association
United Church Of Christ
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Washington Ethical Action Office
American Ethical Union
Women of Reform Judaism
The Federation of Temple Sisterhoods
Women's American ORT
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
The Workmen's Circle

Presbyterian Washington Office alerts us to education bill that threatens church-state separation

[5-15-01]

Stop education bill that threatens separation between church and state

The Senate and House of Representatives are presently considering and will likely soon pass the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (S. 1, H.R. 1, ESEA). ESEA is the major education legislation that allocates federal money for public education. It must be periodically reauthorized by Congress, and this year it has become a battle ground over competing agendas for public education. While parts of the bill are laudable (the government has guaranteed full funding for Title I programs, aimed at helping impoverished school districts, and eliminated voucher provisions from the original bill), a loophole in the legislation could allow money to flow to pervasively sectarian religious institutions operating after-school programs.

Vouchers

On the morning of Thursday, May 10, Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Tim Hutchinson (R-AR) filed an amendment to "provide a low-income school choice demonstration project." This amendment would allow the Secretary of Education to give vouchers to public school students in schools "deemed to be failing" for use in private, including religious schools, in 10 cities and three additional states. No specified amount of the voucher is included.

A central principle of the First Amendment's Establishment Clause is that members of particular faiths, and not the government, should fund religious institutions. Government funding for religious education undermines the First Amendment and harms religious liberty. By taking public funds away from schools that must teach all children and channeling them to schools that may discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, national origin, gender, and sexual orientation, vouchers are divisive, dangerous, and counter-productive. The drafters of the original Senate bill wisely kept vouchers out of the S. 1. Don't let opponents of public schools sneak them back in.

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