Vote NO on amendment 3!

It always saddens me, when I have to write about unpleasant subjects. I use my columns and blogs for fun things--funny memories from the past, ridiculous stories about the menagerie of critters at my farm home--things that make me laugh.

Unfortunately, Missouri House Amendment #3 is no laughing matter. When it was first proposed, I thought, "Oh, no--here we go again!"

Yes, it's true. The enemies of public education have come out of the woodwork again with their millions and millions of dollars in advertising to take pot shots at one of the institutions set up in early America to educate our children.

This time, the public is being asked to go to the polls on November 4, 2014 and read over a proposal which is supposedly designed to make public school teachers "accountable" for the scores their students make on a state test.

Since when have any of us had any faith in a test created by the state?

How many people do you know who are terrible test-takers, who freeze up on a test and forget everything they ever knew about the subject?

I'll bet you've been in that position yourself. I know I have.

In 1962, I considered changing my major to biology, because I loved my biology teacher's lectures. He was so creative! Then, I took his first test, and that was the end of that idea. At least English and history made sense.

I know that public education isn't perfect, but look at the wide range of students that teachers have to reach. Even some students with disabilities are being main-streamed into regular classes.

Our system of education is unique in the world. Countries like Japan and Germany do not try to educate their entire population like we do in America. If a student doesn't make certain scores in the lower grades, he is never allowed to continue on the track to college. Instead, he is diverted into a vocation. No wonder our test scores don't compare favorably with these other countries. You're comparing apples and oranges.

The discussion about teacher accountability covers up another important issue: Amendment #3 removes control from local school boards and gives it to the State.

How can this be a good idea?

I'm sorry, but since when does the State know more about our local districts than we do?

Why should the State be allowed to tell us when to hire and when to fire our own teachers?

I don't pretend to know why groups like "Teach Great" and "Grow Missouri" have pumped millions of dollars into an ad campaign supporting this amendment.

I can't understand why a St. Louis millionaire like Rex Sinquefield would invest $1,600,000 in amendment #3.

What reasons could they have?

I understand that both PACS, "Teach Great" and "Grow Missouri" have withdrawn their financial support for the amendment and stopped campaigning for it, but the proposal will still be on the ballot on November 4.

I respectfully urge you to go the polls on November 4 and vote NO on amendment #3!

Then, watch carefully for the next attack on our schools, because--mark my words--it WILL happen again!