Either ban the "public" in public education, or fund it well enough to make an education in the United States the envy of the world. From elementary to higher ed, make S.T.E.M. (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) the focal point of American education. Get partisan/religious practices OUT of PUBLIC education.

Public schools in Philadelphia, Pa are being decimated: they are closing, and essential services are being cut. For example, at the Roxborough High School in Roxborough, Pa. most of the teachers are being terminated to save money along with all arts/music & athletic programs. My son tells me that he was told that there will be only three teachers per grade next year- three to teach all subjects to 150 students!!! That is outrageous! SAVE PUBLIC EDUCATION!!

For 15 years, Merrie Najimy received exemplary evaluations, earned the respect of parents, faculty and administrators, and won the love of her third grade students. Subsequent to her election as President of the Concord Teachers Association and her organizing activity as a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association Board of Directors, the current school administration has utilized the evaluation system to target her. On April 30, 2013, her principal recommended not to rehire Merrie Najimy.

Within the last two years, the number of out of state and international admissions in the U.C. System has risen by over 60%. As a high school counselor in Southern California, I have seen a number of U.C. eligible students not accepted into the U.C.'s while less qualified out of state and, especially, international students have been admitted.

I am about to turn 59 and have been out of school for over 20 years; yet, during that time, my student loan debt has nearly DOUBLED, from $56,000 to over $100,000. I have made both voluntary and involuntary payments over the course of two decades. I lost my job two years ago, and have only a very low-paying, part-time job. I have no assets. There are particular jobs I can't even apply for because of my student loan debt. A bankruptcy "reform" act passed by Congress in 1998 removed any realistic possibility of getting this loan discharged or forgiven via federal bankruptcy courts. Am I to have my Social Security checks garnished as well? Student loan debts existing 14 or more years after graduation should be forgiven.

By signing this petition you may help to end the unnecessary use of TaskStream on UNK's campus. The fact that the students are forced to pay a fee for this "service" is absurd, especially when it does not help the student body in any way, shape, or form.

Head Start is a valuable early childhood educational tool. Funding is in jeopardy for this program. My son attended Head Start for 18 months. I believe it was instrumental in positive outcomes in his education from the first grade to the completion of his MBA in Hospital Administration.

Petition Background Poor and at risk children have been cut out of the budget and denied necessary school prep such as learning to read which would help them be successful. Success at the schoolhouse door means success in the future and breaking the cycle of poverty and having a job, contributing to society and paying taxes. A Democrat and Republican thing to do. As social workers we have seen the benefits of Head Start for children, exciting them about learning and giving them important tools to help them excel in school even though they are poor. In the long run Head Start can make the difference between the schoolhouse or the more expensive justice system.

If 100,000 people sign the petition DIRECTLY ON THE WHITE HOUSE WEBSITE at http://wh.gov/JNiU, they MUST respond. Sign this petition through Moveon.org as well so as many people as possible see it (and the president gets another petition).

Starting September 1st let's all stop paying our student loans unless we get better interest rates and terms on our loans. We're not powerless against the loan companies if we all act together. They concede to our will, or they don't get our money any longer.

How would you like it if there was no art, music, counselors, after school programs, sports, classroom aides, librarians, school psychologists, school secretaries, and nurses? Well that will happen if we don't take a stand against the School District of Philadelphia. The school district's budget for the 2013-14 school year calls for huge cuts to school staff, activities, programs, and services. This petition will help restore the Philadelphia School Budget.

I was out of work and diagnosed with cancer. My student loan interest piled up and up. My spouse has been out of work for more than 10 years. The interest just piles up and up. Now we can't even make a dent in the principal or the interest. The so-called "pay as you earn" programs don't work because we are told we don't qualify for them. We can't get the lower interest rates Sen. Warren proposes because the loans are too old. We're trapped, and we're not alone.