Save Our Schools

On Saturday, July 30th, Cassie and I participated in the Save Our Schools March in Washington, D.C.  The purpose of the march was for educators, parents and communities to reclaim control of public education, take the emphasis off standardized testing, and provide a high-quality education for all students.  Cassie was an informed and voluntary participant.  Although she's only 10, she has experienced the impact of standardized testing.  In preparation for the spring tests, the entire fourth quarter of each school year is spent reviewing, with no new introduction of material.  (And I wonder why she doesn't really like school.)

We left home at 8:00 a.m., prepared for a hot day on the national mall.  We met up with colleagues from Arlington, donned T-shirts and gathered posters.  While we waited, a bus of educators from Miluakee arrived.  Even though they had endured a 15-hour bus ride, they were full of energy.  They gave us some buttons, we gave them some posters and everyone began chanting, "This is what democracy looks like!  This is what democracy looks like!"  Cassie's eyes lit up and she said, "Wow.  This is really fun!"



At the rally point



Arlington educators (in blue) welcoming the arrival of Miluakee colleagues

At 11:00, participants gathered on the Ellipse to hear speakers, sing, watch videos and stand united in their beliefs.  Cassie was interested in everything that was taking place.  The more she listened to the speakers, the more she began to understand the meaning of democracy in action.  At one point she exclaimed, "Mom, I'm marching where the suffragettes stood!"  She learned something that she would never have gotten from a textbook.

Participants marching to the Ellipse

 "Mom, I'm marching where the suffragettes stood!"

Cassie by the stage



Helping my kid learn first hand about democracy in action.  This is more fun than Disneyworld!



Arlington participants seated near the stage

A graveyard, memorializing the loss of creativity and critical thinking, had been set up.

Students and teachers had made a display depicting how standardized testing has led to an education that places them in boxes, eliminating original thinking.  Here are a few of the dolls that were created.

"How come the suffragettes got to walk right up to the gates of the White House?"

Standing strong, in spite of the heat!

The growing crowd

A highlight for me was hearing Jonathan Kozol speak.

A less than great shot of Jonathan Kozol on stage.  He's the one in the light shirt.

Jonathan Kozol



Cassie becoming a part of history.