Guidance counselors play a vital role in our school community. Without them our school will not be able to function and the students will not receive the necessary information they need in terms of planning their future, personal issues, and college information. Most colleges require students to send a recommendation from a counselor and getting a new counselor for the 2012-2013 school year will greatly affect the student's college process.

Jireh Lee Silva was this year's valedictorian at Wise High School in Upper Marlboro, Md., but she has no green card of her own -- and a recent hiccup interfered in processing her mother Nerisa's green card. Nerisa brought her daughter to this country four years ago legally, as a dependent under her visa. And while Jireh has dreams of becoming a doctor and has been accepted into a number of colleges, she doesn't have the means to pay for them. And Jireh can't apply for financial aid because she does not have a Social Security number. She says all the accolades she's worked to achieve mean nothing now that she can't stay in this country. She's packing her things and getting ready to head back to the Philippines by next month in order to start college there. Watch her story: http://www.nbcwashington.com/video/#!/news/local/Valedictorian-Must-Leave-U.S.-for-College/158850925 Source: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Wise-High-School-Valedictorian-No-Green-Card.html

Student loan forgiveness

"Total outstanding student loan debt in America is expected to exceed $1 TRILLION this year. Millions of hardworking, taxpaying, educated Americans are being crushed under the weight of their educational debts, while the economy continues to sputter. Support a REAL economic stimulus and jobs plan. Support the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 (H.R. 4170)." Will you sign this petition?

People a trying to educate themselves for a higher standard and not remain dependent on a system that is functioning off the backs of the middle class. I totally support promoting the intellect and opportunities for achievement. We as Americans should never forget the purpose of our forefathers and their struggles:independence.so stop blocking their chance for an affordable education.

When California wanted the Lottery, they stated that the proceeds would go to fund education. That was not true, the proceeds go into California's General Fund. Now that money is tight, the California legislature is cutting back on all education funding. California already has one of the densest student per teacher ratios in the country. California also ranks near the bottom for computers in the classroom. This petition puts the California legislature in a position to guarantee the education of all California children by taking the proceeds from the lottery and disbursing them directly to schools in California.

When California wanted the Lottery, they stated that the proceeds would go to fund education. That was not true, the proceeds go into California's General Fund. Now that money is tight, the California legistlature is cutting back on all education funding. California already has one of the densest student per teacher ratios in the country. California also ranks near the bottom for computers in the classroom. This petition puts the California legistlature in a position to guarentee the education of all California children by taking the proceeds from the lottery and disbursing them directly to schools in California.

With all the talk of voter purges and voter ID requirements across the state, a lot of Florida voters are confused about what the voting rules actually are—or might even think they're disqualified when they're not. Election officials in Brevard County have the authority to take emergency action to clean up the mess Gov. Rick Scott caused.

Tell our state legislature to stop it's attacks on public education! The NC senate has already passed a bill to further gut the public education system, from Kindergarten-college. their plan hurts not only teachers, but our children, our state and our future!

This petition is about Floridas failing educational system being lead by legislators, as opposted to educators who better understand the needs of our students.

The California Grant the (Cal Grant) offered to California residents attending universities may be in jeopardy. Governor Jerry Brown is considering reducing the grant by almost 44 percent, from a maximum of $9,708 a year to maximum of approximately $5,700. The Cal Grant changes being considered affect me personally and tens of thousands of other low income students attending independent, nonprofit higher education institutions like Loyola Marymount University (L.M.U.). The loss or reduction of the grant would be significant enough to make tens of thousands of students unable to return to the California universities in school year 2012-13. Brown is hoping the cuts will save the state money, but this will not be the case. Students who are forced to leave private institutions will most likely attend state schools, which are already reaching capacity, and could ultimately cost the state more money. This is because the state subsidy [the amount the state pays per student] for Cal Grant students attending institutions like L.M.U. is substantially lower than the total subsidy provided to the Cal Grant students in the UC and CSU systems.

The most recent senior "prank" was ill-timed, ill-planned and without the supervision of police, extremely dangerous to the Spotswood High School community. This "prank" should be the last of its kind that is condoned by the school administration.