Approaching . . .Red Flag Day

Here we are, just 2 days away from Red Flag for Education Day.  I've been remiss of late but have sent notes to some organizations that I hope will help us out. 

Let me remind you several aspects of Red Flag Day.  First of all, its purpose was to remind President Obama and the governors of some states in an easy but big way of our priorties regarding education.  As such, we wiould prominently wear red to indicate support for education.  Then we would choose one or more aspects of today's education system that we consider a problem and our chosen solution to that problem.  We would then write the problem on a flag or ribbon and the solution on the other, wear it for the day and then send it to the President and your governor.  I would expect that there will be a great variety of how each of you interprets what your flags/ribbons look like and what they say.  That's okay.  The purpose is just to get their attention and have them realize it's a priority.

Some of you have asked for a review of issues.  Below are some examples of what you could say:

Education Funding  -  Increase across the board funding is needed
Teacher Tenure  -  Strengthen (or Weaken) (Please check to be sure you know the most current law as
many states have recently weakened the tenure law, in many cases to the point that it is essentially gone.)
Class Size - Increased funding for education for class size
Teacher Quality - Increase teacher salaries to encourage the best to teach
Quality Education - Encourage creativity and critical thinking in children (deemphasize tests)
School Meals - Insure that meals served are healthy
Merit Pay for Teachers - (Choose to encourage or cancel - your pick but back up with why you chose it)
Technology in the Classroom - Provide funding for teacher in-service in technology
Virtual Education - (pro or con with caveats)

These are some of the choices.  You should each have your own.  For myself, I am going to send a letter (white paper, red ink) with the flag attached to it.  I will briefly explain and I will add to what my flags mean.

With this post, I am done with my blog on a semi-regular basis.  I will leave my blog open for important changes that may come along and to receive any comments any of you may have.  Thank you for making this journey with me.