We are concerned about the direction our schools have taken. The states growing reliance on standardized testing is adversely affecting students across all spectrums and the morale of our teachers. These tests are taking time away from real teaching. They are narrowing our curriculum, fostering an environment of teaching to the test and test prep. Science and social studies are getting less time in the classroom while art, music, and gym are taking a back seat to pre-tests, post-tests, and field tests. Love of learning is being stifled and our teachers’ morale is suffering. This resolution will send a message to our elected officials that we want them to reduce testing mandates, and allow our teachers and schools to do what they do best.

The parents of students at Davis Elementary have brought a serious concern to the attention of the Cobb County School Board. Because of budget cuts, the inclusion classrooms in first, second, third and fifth grade do not have a dedicated special education teacher. The general classroom teachers are trying to make-do with one special education teacher (and a recently added half-time teacher) shared between Kindergarten, First, Second and Third grades and some support from paraprofessionals. We are writing to ask that immediate action is taken to address this situation. Our general classroom teachers, special education teachers, and paraprofessional are all gifted and well qualified to serve our students. The parents at Davis Elementary greatly appreciate the efforts that go above and beyond their job descriptions. However, one general classroom teacher, no matter her abilities, experience, and education, cannot be expected to do the job of two people. With special education support moving in and out of the classroom, no one is able to teach or consistently track the progress and performance of students with special needs. The general classroom teacher cannot be asked to do so and effectively teach her class, which includes general education students needing as much of her attention as would be received in another general education classroom. We ask that Cobb County fully restore this funding so that you are in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and our children are provided a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE). We have learned that many IEPs have been written to reflect the level of reduced services, which is also a violation of State and Federal Special Education Law. Other schools in Cobb County have inclusion classrooms staffed with a general classroom teacher and a co-teacher, as did Davis until this year. For the sake of the overall student achievement at Davis Elementary, we hope this matter can be resolved quickly and amicably at the county level. Please respond to our concerns in writing. We appreciate your attention and response.

OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE AT STAKE Earlier this year, the sequester cut education funding by $1.7 billion. These cuts are expected to impact up to 1.2 million children, at least 2,700 schools and up to 30,000 staff. The greatest impact of these cuts is to the programs that most directly affect children from communities with the greatest need, limiting access to Early Head Start and Head Start preschool programs, programs for children with disabilities, and funding to schools that serve low-income families. The sequester’s cuts to the education budget should be reversed. If Congress can come together to stop the sequester cuts that caused flight delays, then they should have no problem doing so when our children’s future is at stake. As if these cuts weren’t bad enough, the U.S. House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan (R-WI) has proposed a budget that cuts even more from education – on the scale of $6.9 billion in cuts to our schools, our teachers, and our kids in the next year alone. The Ryan budget will result in 50 million students will have larger class sizes, less individualized attention and support in class, and fewer classroom teachers and aides for students with special needs. Our future depends on giving all our kids a chance, not robbing them of opportunity. We can’t let John Boehner and Republicans in Congress throw our kids under the school bus. Our solution is simple: NO MORE EDUCATION CUTS!

The classes are being put into different areas and not being able to mingle with one another. How do we make new friends? FREE PLAY EVERYDAY!!!

The City school board is going to vote on whether to erase the name, colors and mascot of Muncie Central High School. It has been in existence for 145 years, the longest in the State of IN and is unparalleled in history, tradition and athletic excellence. This school is part of Muncie's and Indiana's heritage and has historical value that should not be terminated.

We at Sand Springs PAAT are listening to you, our parents. We are giving you multiple opportunities let the State know what these high stakes testing madates are doing to your children, their teachers, their school districts and the institution of public education. This is another way that you can let your voice be heard in Oklahoma City.

Our children and grandchildren are being deprived of quality education and social skills, that limit their overall life experience. Funding cuts, unfair funding distribution and school closures doesn't allow our children the opportunity to be a positive or active citizen in our community's and our country. Let's challenge our communities, the state and Federal government and our President Barack Oboma.

Hundreds of millions of tax dollars have been diverted to Mr. Rangel, much of it siphoned off to relatives and politically connected individuals. It's time the taxpayers got a full accounting of where the money went. It's time for a FORENSIC AUIDIT now, before another dollar is diverted away from the public's schools.

My son Keegan 13 attends Henniker Community School in Henniker, New Hampshire. For a year now he has been bullied by students in the school and retaliated against by school Administration. He has recently been permanently kicked out of school for voicing his feelings on a social media site due to the schools inability to properly handle bullying issues. His comments in no way mentioned students, staff or the school itself. My son is being punished for being bullied. Due to their decision to kick him out of their public school he is suffering educationally. My son, like all children, deserves his education.

At 10:34 everyday the FCDS upper and middle school are given an insufficient amount of food. As time moves on, our snacks have been down-graded to "100 calorie" or "whole grain" when in the past we had been given regular snack size packs. We the student body are petitioning for better snacks to give us more fuel throughout the day and to give us energy. Snacks with more protein and bigger snacks will help us to grow and in turn, learn. We also have been turned down being able to have yogurt at snack and there is fruit maybe 1-2 times a week and it is usually very small and unflavorful. Thank you.

Counties such as Bibb, Houston, Jones, Monroe and Twiggs are in need of educational options that expose students to STEM curriculum while promoting artistic expression. Students gain exposure to technology through blended learning and use of iPads. This is the arts school of the future and it's coming to the heart of Georgia first!

My child and a large amount of Neosho students have been the target of Coach Alms bullying for quite some time and it is beyond the point of resolving issues . It is time for the parents to take a stand and make their voice be heard . Bullying is not allowed in schools why is a teacher getting away with this ????