Public education is always under fire. COVID 19, remote learning truly opened the eyes of many; parents/guardians, school employees, students and politicians. “Schools are interfering too much!” “Schools aren’t doing enough!” It’s time to let the New Jersey Department of Education and the State Board of Education know that “we” do not agree with their one sided political agenda. Government run schools embed their agenda in “educational” associations and organizations; New Jersey School Boards Association, the State Board of Education, the New Jersey Department of Education and even the New Jersey Parent Teacher Association. It’s time to be a voice for every public education student.
Parents/Guardians have always been involved in their child(ren)’s education. Parental involvement isn’t something new. What’s new is that parents/guardians have become open and vocal in support of their children.
Remote learning, mask mandates, COVID quarantine protocols, social distancing, social and emotional learning and the implementation of the 2020 New Jersey Learning Standards created polarization between school districts and parents/guardians. Parents didn’t begin the polarization, they pointed it out. Parents voiced their cares and concerns at meetings. Those meetings became heated. Some local boards of education sided with parents/guardians while others demonized and targeted them.
The National Board of Education sent a letter, dated 9/29/2021, to President Biden specifically requesting assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, U.S. Homeland Security and U.S. Secret Service. The letter was meant to target parents that spoke up against public education. Are there cases of extremism? Of course. However, that letter incited school districts and the New Jersey State Board of Education to shut down parents that didn’t align with “their” belief system.
Back in May 2022, R. Butcher, New Jersey State Board of Education member, insulted parents for raising children in a household based on morals, values and religious beliefs.
Dr. J. Ricca, New Jersey State Board of Education member, stated “What we never want, people’s individual ideologies to creep into the public marketplace of ideas, that’s as un-American as you’re gonna get.”
The New Jersey State Board of Education receives public comment on any educational topic 3x per year; January, September and May. The next State Board of Education meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 11th.
Parents/Guardians, Educators, School Employees, Students, Politicians, this is the time to send your public testimony on any educational topic of your choice. Topics include but aren’t limited to: Governor Appointment of State Board of Education members, unconfirmed Commissioner of the NJDOE (New Jersey Department of Education), Virtual SBOE meetings, 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards, Standardized Testing, Curriculum and Instruction, Classroom Instruction, School Safety, Thorough and Efficient Education, Social and Emotional Learning, COVID Learning Loss, Mental Health, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Inclusion based on Gender Identity, Special Education, School Funding.
Email your public testimony before January 11th to: stateboardoffice@doe.nj.gov
Subject Line: Public Comment, “Your Topic”
No one will fight for your child(ren) like you. You are their best advocate, their voice and their saving grace.
Our Children Deserve Better.
Don’t let them down.
