At Port Charlotte High School, three Algebra 2 Honors class, one Advanced Placement Statistics class, and one Trigonometry honors class filled with students from three grade levels were left for 4-5 months without a consistent and qualified teacher to prepare them for their exams, EOCs, or for their future courses. Although they were given substitutes as temporary replacements, these instructors were simply bodies within the room to take attendance while other teachers from the Math department would occasionally (meaning 3-5 different teachers showing students 3-5 different methods of completing their work which is inefficient) come in. As one of many sophomores that didn't have a consistent and qualified instructor to teach her/him the course material, I am now at a disadvantage against other students from different schools that were offered the learning experience I should have received and am still being required to take a final exam on material that's been simply handed to me through worksheets without adequate instruction.

I have seen way too many students go through the education system and not be properly prepared to get a sustainable job. We worry too much about tests and not about job skills for the real world. Education funding should be increased if we want a strong future for Michigan. We need fewer tax breaks for the extreme rich. I have seen important programs such as music, physical fitness, and art reduced or cut in school systems, although it has been proven that classes like these enhance education in many ways. Because of budget cuts, it is impossible for schools to offer these classes full time. We take so many assessment tests that the students lose a good month of learning to test preparation. We need to incorporate more life skill classes such as budgeting, sewing, and cooking so that students who leave high school know how to take care of themselves. We also need to give workers pay that can sustain them, and less money to CEO's. Even though people on the bottom of the ladder have fewer skills, without them, the ladder falls down as will our economy eventually. I challenge any politician to live like a single mother working at a retail job to really know what it is like.

I am a Utah parent of a special needs child and I am outraged that the school principal of Blue Peak High School would exclude special needs kids from the yearbook for any reason. This constitutes illegal discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). At the very least, this principal needs to be let go to find another career that does not involve working with people, let alone with children or other vulnerable groups such as those with disabilities.

Last year, Governor Brown and the California legislature made the historic commitment to fully fund preschool for all low-income 4-year-olds. But so far, we haven't seen this investment included in the proposed budget. Leading economists agree: investments in high-quality early learning programs like preschool actually save future dollars for everyone. In fact, children who have high-quality early learning experiences are more likely to succeed in school, graduate from high school, gain stable employment, and are less likely to be arrested later in life. Studies show that for every dollar invested in high-quality early learning, we see a return of up to $8.00. Please sign on to our message and our open letter below, asking Governor Jerry Brown and our state legislature to make the necessary – and promised! – investments needed to expand early learning opportunities in our state: *********************************************************************** As a California resident, I am asking you to keep your promise to California families and support a budget that invests in the following top priorities: • Preschool for all low-income 4 year olds in California: Fully fund the commitment made in last year's state budget to provide preschool to all low-income 4 year olds in the coming years. • Access to quality infant and toddler care: Address the state's significant need for access, and ensure quality, affordable care and education for our youngest children ages birth to three. • Affordable programs for families: Increase reimbursement rates so that early learning providers can continue to provide quality, affordable services. • Increase quality in all early learning settings: Invest in quality improvement efforts to ensure strong outcomes for young children in all settings. This should include supporting improvements in the way early learning teachers are trained at community colleges and allowing infant and toddler programs to participate in the Quality Rating and Improvement System Block Grant. Study after study has shown that high-quality early learning and care is one of the best investments we can make to impact a child's future and increase economic sustainability for families and communities. The reality is that parents earning minimum wage would need to spend 71% of their salary on full-day infant care, and the costs of quality child care and early learning programs exceed the costs of higher education for many families. And while we have made some progress, we still have work to do to meet the needs of working families, especially those with babies and toddlers. Last year's budget included a $273 million increased investment for early learning and a commitment to provide quality preschool to all low-income 4 year olds in the coming years. The demand for preschool spaces remains more than 8 times the number of spaces available according to the California Department of Education -- that's more than 32,000 low-income 4 year olds that were still not being served in California this year. The Department acknowledges that the need is likely even greater. Leading economists agree, investments in high-quality early learning programs like preschool actually save future dollars for everyone. In fact, children who have high-quality early learning experiences are more likely to succeed in school, graduate from high school, gain stable employment, and are less likely to be arrested later in life. Studies show that for every dollar invested in high-quality early learning, we see a return of up to $8.00. We can, and must do more for our children, and we need you to stand up and make their future a top priority. California cannot wait any longer to expand access to quality childcare and early learning programs. Investing in California's future means investing in our next generation, and the time to do that is now. I respectfully urge you to prioritize access, affordability, and quality investments for our youngest children and their families in this year's state budget. Sincerely,

On May 7th, 2015, Alliance Collins Family administration announced that all physics classes would be completely phased out by the end of the following school year. Mr. Chu, Alliance Collins Family’s physics teacher, would lose his job by the end of next year. We, as current and former students of Collins Family High School, believe that Mr. Chu is an effective teacher. He has made a deep and lasting connection with countless students, despite having come from a different background. Through his position as a physics teacher, Mr. Chu has worked tirelessly to encourage and prepare students to go into fields in engineering and other sciences, which are fields underrepresented by the Latino student population that Collins Family High school serves. As students, we have seen too many good teachers leave Collins Family High School. Mr. Chu has made a commitment to stay and continue to serve this student body. Collins Family High School should do everything in their power to allow Mr. Chu to stay as a full time teacher.

We have an opportunity to make a real impact on early education in Massachusetts. This move is long overdue. Massachusetts should lead on education, but when it comes to early education, we've fallen behind. Since 2001, we’ve seen a 50% decrease in the state’s commitment to early learning. We can do better. Every child deserves the same strong start. Right now, the Massachusetts Senate is debating their budget, and we have a chance to deliver a win for our youngest learners and their teachers. The relationships young children form with their teachers is critical to their thriving. But, thanks to continual cuts to public programs, we're struggling to keep high-quality educators in the field, which has a 30% turnover rate. These cuts are short-sighted. For every $1 we spend on early education, we save $7 over time as kids require less special education, perform better and earn more in the workforce. It's not just smart, it's the right thing to do. We've got just a few days to build support for two amendments that will make a big difference: - Early Education Rate Reserve Amendment, #547 - which would invest in early educators and stabilize the workforce. - Early Ed Quality Programming Amendment #601 - which helps improve quality in early learning programs. The Senate will vote soon on these amendments. Can you sign our petition right now?

Dr. McCreary works for families for Excellent Schools, an organization that is extremely active in the privatization of public education. Families for Excellent Schools has set records in money spent lobbying the New York state legislature, and launched a $3.6 million dollar ad campaign against the Mayor of New York City for his asking that 3 charter schools pay rent for using public property. The organization is ruthless and artificial. They are far more interested in privatizing education than they are in public education. There is no place for Dr. McCreary in BPS. She needs to be removed from Dr. Changs' cabinet immediately. For TONS more background information about this petition, please copy and paste this link into a new browser tab http://bit.ly/1EQ4gTO

A lack of education has many long-term effects for the state of Arizona. We have too many low wage workers and do not attract industries that bring high-paying jobs. Many of our most promising college graduates probably leave Arizona and relocate to cities with better-paying careers. More funding for education can change this trend and improve the well-being of our citizens.

The Iowa State Board of Education is meeting this week to discuss whether to adopt new science standards for K-12 students that include climate change education. An Iowa science standards review team has recommended adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards, but vocal legislators and groups that deny climate science are trying to stop them. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have already adopted the NGSS, which were developed by the National Academy of Sciences and science educators in 26 states, including Iowa. For the first time, all students in grades 8-12 would learn about the data and evidence that leads to the scientific consensus on climate change. But those who deny climate science are digging in against the standards. State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) introduced legislation in 2014 and this year to stop the NGSS from being adopted or implemented. She recently said, "The focus is on promoting the politically controversial topic of climate change, which is a highly debatable topic, man's impact on the environment, as a scientific fact." As you know, there is no debate among scientists about the fact of human-caused climate change. Given what's at stake for our kids and grandkids with climate change, learning about it at school is essential. A strong foundation in climate science will position students to help develop solutions. Please sign the petition calling on the Iowa State Board of Education to adopt Next Generation Science Standards that include climate science. Thank you for taking action! Sincerely, Maria Filippone Small business owner, physician, mother and Climate Parents member Des Moines, IA

In the world where cultural history is disappearing every day, I believe the craft rich India beautifully made traditional objects must be preserved. Museums, caretakers of these crafts, must be supported and sustained to make history and traditions available to future generations. Leadership and foresight is needed. Smithsonian National Museum of American Indian, built 20 years back has more than million objects of Native Americans, American Indians, that are cared, respected, showcased and preserved. I find this incredibly short sighted and should be stopped.

When I graduated from high school, I did not know how to grow my own food. The majority of Hawaii's students graduate yearly having no acquired skills of self sustainability. Stop sending our graduates into the workforce without the skills necessary to self sustain themselves and their families.

I have three children, two of whom were given devices for which they have no demonstrated need. Arlington has wonderful teachers. They deserve a 1:1 program that has been developed to meet their needs and implemented with sufficient training for them and sufficient transparency for the rest of the community.