The research says that opportunity starts young. If you want to help students do better, you have to reach kids 5-years old and younger. That's why states like Oklahoma make sure every child in the state gets access to a year of free preschool. Here in California, only half of 3- and 4-year-olds are in a preschool program. That's wrong. As legislators draft the budget for the next year, it's our chance to make early education a priority. If we want to expand access to preschool, we need to raise our voices now.

Oklahoma legislators just voted to deny K-12 students access to world-class science standards solely because the standards include climate science. An Oklahoma House Committee voted on May 12 to reject the new Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science, which were developed by a team of 59 Oklahoma educators, scientists, engineers, and parents over the last year. More than 500 educators reviewed the standards, which then received extensive public input before being unanimously approved for adoption by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. If this move to censor science education is approved by the full Legislature and signed by Governor Mary Fallin, Oklahoma standards will revert to the current, outdated standards that are in urgent need of upgrading. This would be a tremendous disservice to Oklahoma kids, who deserve access to the highest quality science education available. It’s critical to speak out now against censorship of science education in Oklahoma. The extreme action taken by Oklahoma legislators to deny students a world-class science education -- all to keep them in the dark about climate change -- comes at a time when the new U.S. National Climate Assessment makes clear that climate change is a real, present, and growing danger that poses acute risks to the health and well-being of children. We’re already seeing impacts like intense heat waves, drought and water shortages here in Oklahoma. To be clear, the climate science content in the new Oklahoma standards is uncontroversial, and already watered down from climate science content in the Next Generation Science Standards, upon which the Oklahoma standards are modeled. Here’s an example of what students in upper grades would be expected to learn: "Analyze and interpret data to explore how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in changes in atmosphere and climate." We who are Oklahoma parents, teachers, scientists, and science supporters want our kids to learn the best available science, including climate science. It is a dangerous precedent to allow science and other educational standards to be censored by voices hostile to science, rather than upon the research-based recommendations of credentialed educators. Please join us in urging Governor Fallin and Oklahoma legislators to reject the anti-science legislation. Let’s tell them to accept the unanimous decision of the State Board of Education to adopt the new Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science without further political interference. Thank you for taking action for Oklahoma kids! Sincerely, Jim F. Chamberlain, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE Environmental Engineer Norman, OK Nicole M. Colston, PhD Environmental Science Glencoe, OK Mercedes Lackey Author Claremore, Oklahoma Nancy Smart Retired Educator, Mother, Grandmother Norman, OK Michael Sullivan Concerned Citizen Miami, OK

It is essential that children who grow up in this multi-racial society have an understanding of and familiarity with the unique history of race relations and the heroic struggle for equal rights and equal opportunity that Black Americans have experienced. This enrichment of the curriculum can only help to motivate young people and create bridges of empathy and understanding. Sixty years after the historic Brown vs. the Board of Education decision, the schools in NYC still don't provide culturally relevant education for children of color.

I just want to update everyone on the situation. First of all, thank you for your support. I know my mom really appreciates it. I think at this point she is less concerned with her job and more concerned that people speak up, pay attention to what is going on and take action. There are numerous issues in our school that are very troubling. I encourage you to find board members and get them to talk to the staff that will be leaving. They are good people, and I could be wrong, but I don't think they would be leaving if there weren't issues. Our school needs major changes. Mrs. Walters is a lifelong resident of Centralia. She has been a teacher in our district for the last 28 years, Reading Recovery for the last 16. If you're old enough to remember her mom, my grandma, Mrs. Bloom, then you know how important education and this community is to our family. All else aside, this is not how we treat our neighbors. Now let me get back to Reading Recovery. I wrote a letter to the Principal, Superintendent and the board members. Thus far I have received no response. Through the grapevine I have heard that Reading Recovery is not being cut completely, and that the teacher from Frankfort will now be responsible for both schools. I did not hear this from anyone with authority, and my mom did not hear this from anyone with authority. I can tell you with reasonable certainty that this was not the plan a week ago. As to how the needs of the students will be met with one less teacher for Reading Recovery is up to the administration and board to explain, and we should demand that they do. If cutting reading education, which in this case is a very small portion of the budget, is the best plan the administration can come up with, then I question their abilities to lead us forward. As you can tell, communication is an obvious issue with this administration. If you reach out, I'm sure you will discover numerous other causes for concern. Thanks again! If you want to show Mrs. Walters your support, please speak up, reach out and keep pushing to make this the school we all want for our children! Sincerely, Dustin Walters A horrible injustice is about to befall the Centralia School Community. I understand budget cuts need to be made from time to time; however, when a school cuts back on programs that not only are core programs but programs that are majorly successful in the bettering of our children's educations, shouldn't we come together to see if something else could be cut instead? I say No to cutting READING RECOVERY PROGRAM and let's find the money needed elsewhere!! Not only has Mrs. Walters helped my daughter learn her skills in reading, but also in life. Learning how and why reading is important to every child isn't the same and has challenges. Mrs. Walters and the Reading Recovery Program have helped a vast number of children and not only deserve to be still in effect next school year and years to come, but, in my opinion, is the heart and soul of the school! Let's let our opinion get a chance to vote and see where cuts can be made that will not only help the children, our school but also our community.

My Union represents the Teachers and the Support Staff at the School. They are losing all of their rights.

My son attends Cedar Middle School in Hesperia CA. To hear that the school district has eliminated the 8th grade graduation ceremony is saddening. It robs our children of being formally recognized for their achievements. Elementary, middle and high school graduations have always been a long time tradition for all schools in the state of California. No one has the right to change that. Several schools in the district have now chosen to have an awards assembly to satisfy parents concerns. They say that they eliminated 8th grade graduation ceremonies because they want our kids to focus on high school graduation. High School graduation has NOTHING to do with an 8th grade graduation ceremony. ALL children should participate in a formal ceremony, promoting them to the next big stage in their life. Our kids help earn money for these schools and we as tax payers contribute a portion of our earnings as well. Our kids studied hard and EARNED the right to be promoted. There is NO reason why this rule should have ever been implemented. We are a community of families who should formally celebrate our children's accomplishments, no matter how old they are and certainly no matter what grade level they are in.

This week Gov. Brown neglected early learning. In his revised budget, he allocated no new money for early education and care, even though there are nearly 200,000 children stuck on wait lists for these programs. The budget must be finalized next month, so we need to show him he's making a huge mistake.

Four years ago our colleagues formed a union to provide a positive and stable learning environment for our students. They came together, just as we stand together now, for teacher voice at AECI. A contract will bring stability to our school community while at the same time enshrining what works at AECI and developing a framework to fix any concerns that may arise. A contract can create transparency and equity. The due process piece represents an important structure to implement all aspects of the contract. It has been a long road but we remain united in our goals to achieve fair pay and benefits, and a due process structure to maintain our rights. Please help support our school and our students. Let us focus on educating free from distraction and with a contract in place. When AECI's faculty has a voice, we can create a better learning environment for everyone. Please help us grow as educators with our students so we can build the best school possible together.

I have advocated for children for the past 20 years and this behavior is NEVER ok. That child or any other should not have to interact with her. The only thing she has taught others with this particular incident is Fear! Children have rights too!

Parents who would be willing to volunteer to serve on a "bulling" watchdog board or a combo student/parent bulling court. If you have a child who has been a victim of bulling and you feel you have no voice or appropriate action has been taken, help us bring this board to fruition.

In his revised budget, Gov. Brown allocated no new money for early education and care, even though there are nearly 200,000 children on wait lists for these programs. The budget has to be finalized next month, so we need to show overwhelming support right now to fix this mistake and ensure all children get the strong start they deserve.

This week Gov. Brown neglected early learning again. In his revised budget, he allocated no new money for early education and care, even though there are nearly 200,000 children on wait lists for these programs. The budget must be finalized next month, so we need to deliver 1 million petition signatures to Gov. Brown to show him he's making a huge mistake.