Our Education Needs Are California's Needs
New America Media, Commentary, Jolene Rodriguez Posted: May 11, 2010
Editor's Note: Students of color, low-income students and immigrant students make up 70% of California’s schools and will form the majority of high school dropouts. Jolene Rodriguez, a junior at a Long Beach high school, speaks up for students of color and worries about the future of California.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s not a very original question, but I hear it often, from parents, teachers and administrators.
But here I go again: My name is Jolene Rodriguez. I am 16 years old and I attend Cabrillo High in Long Beach, Calif. And when I grow up, I want to be a social worker and work with kids.
But to be honest, I’m not sure I’m going to get there. Not because I’m not smart enough or don’t work hard enough, but because I’m part of a segregated school system that does not adequately prepare me for college and a career after I graduate.
In 2008, less than one out of four of Cabrillo High’s students graduated with the required A-G courses to be eligible for a CSU or UC school. Only two percent of juniors and seniors were enrolled in advanced math courses.
Those statistics shouldn’t be surprising to anyone who has been paying attention to education in California over the last decade, where the education budget has been cut $17 billion in the last two years alone, and less than 57% of black and brown students graduated from high school.
That’s why this May 11, as a reminder of the 1955 Brown v. Board of Education case that was supposed to desegregate schools, the Campaign for Quality Education is heading to Sacramento. Instead of getting grades, this time we’re giving them, presenting our elected officials a report card on the California public school system from 2000 - 2010.
As expected, the grades aren’t so good, with ‘F’s’ in Funding, Graduation Rates, and College and Career Readiness.
The theme of the day is “M.I.A.: California Ditching Schools from 2000-2010.” But we’re not going to Sacramento to point fingers. We’re going there to highlight our challenges AND offer real solutions. We know most of the elected officials there weren’t even there at the beginning of the decade when all these problems began.
However, they can be part of the solution. They can begin to see that we cannot cut our way to a healthy state and school system. They can also understand that together we must come up with ways to raise state funds and then spend it more wisely. And they can make decisions based on the needs of the people they represent and not just political survival. They can look ahead and not over their shoulders.
But most importantly, even before we pass bills or create working committees, it’s critical that one thing be understood: Our needs are California’s needs.
Students of color, low-income students, and immigrant students make up 70% of California’s schools. We are California!
It’s estimated that by the year 2020, 40 percent of California’s jobs will require higher education. With so many dropouts, who is going to fill all those jobs?
It’s funny, but to me, it all seems so clear. Like in what I learned in my math class: The more you invest into something, the more you get out of it. An educated California pays more in taxes, is more likely to vote, is physically healthier, and creates job opportunities and businesses.
For the last 10 years, California has been creating a lost generation of young people, and they don’t just disappear. They are more likely to be pushed into the criminal justice system, use social services, or just hang out and get into trouble.
It’s been said over and over again, but California spends $7,571 a year per student and $47,000 a year per inmate. I visited UCLA this past winter and loved it. $47,000 could pay all four years of my tuition there!
It’s obvious that California is in a real crisis and changes need to be made now. Not just for me, but for my little sister who is only eight years old. She will have to deal with a school system that will probably be even worse off than it is today.
Over the past two years, I’ve spoken to a number of elected officials, from school board members to mayors, and state senators and assembly members. Of course, they ask me what I want to be when I grow up.
The next time I will not answer, but instead ask them: “What do YOU want ME to be when I grow up?”
Jolene Rodriguez she is chapter president of Californians for Justice, a grassroots non-profit that works for educational justice. In January 2010, she was the youngest person featured in The District Weekly’s “People to Watch” issue for speaking up at a City Council meeting about environmental health issues at her school.
For more information, go to Quality-Education.org.
Related Articles:
Bill Would Ease Path of Community College Transfers
UC’s New Policy on Freshman Admission -- Moving in the Wrong Direction
Study Finds Sex Education Failing in California
In Families Squeezed by Recession, Kids Show Effects
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User Comments
cathy on May 28, 2010 at 13:12:03 said:
The unions are NOT fat.. Each year we are losing unions. NAFTA has opened our borders and blown away our teamsters. As well as people can be an \"independent contractor\" by standing on the corner. Is this person paying taxes, FICA, workers comp... Are they filing 1099\'s..I doubt it. What about the employer who does pay all those things. (Me on the side of an employer..) Jobs are being sent to other states and other countries because they will accept smaller wages. We have people backed into corners who will work without safety or workers compensation benefits. The union was unable to keep the work here because of a diminished belief we do not need unions. So unions have suffered losses too. When jobs are lost: membership is also lost. Unions serve a purpose. They are/were the great equalizer. When employers have unions they are held accountable for their actions. High level Management gets paid in the thousands Mid-level in the hundreds and workers get paid in the tens. Who does the work? With out unions would there be male and female equality in pay? Unions have supported and encouraged many laws. Take the 8 hour day into the 1900\'s we worked 12 and 14 hours a day. Up until the 1930\'s child labor was active. It was not unusual for children to receive physical punishment if they did not do as asked. Children could be as young as 5 years old.Without unions would women still receive less pay than men? Would we still be working 12 to 14 hours everyday. without overtime and or vacations? Would our 5 years olds be in kindergarten or working at Joes\'? There are battles that need to be fought still. We need unions to rally, educate and support us. I am sure I have offended some one who thought management was just generous. All those wonderful non management companies had to offer benefits to compete with union jobs to get the best and the brightest.
Chuck Woolery on May 22, 2010 at 23:29:17 said:
YES ADRIAN, illegals qualify for billions in all kinds of welfare, including food stamps, for which an illegal need only have a child born in the US to qualify.
Linda on May 17, 2010 at 12:42:55 said:
Bad school system or good school system, kids of any race and of any economic background have to work hard, even extra, extra hard, to succeed. No tears will be shed by me because your parents chose that school system to educate you. My parents worked their asses off in a restaurant and sweatshop so that my sisters and I could go to a good school system. They couldn't do much for us but at least they knew where to plant us and watch us grow.
AmericanBoer on May 12, 2010 at 07:12:20 said:
It is amusing that this person is complaining about 'segregation' being the problem with the California public school system.
Like it or not, many children do not possess the capacity for higher learning and are destined for a life of menial labour.
There is nothing wrong with this and boosting their hopes with unrealistic fantasy is a recipe for gangs, tribal violence and a burning desire for communism since they are going to be perpetually jealous of the folks who have acomplished more.
The progressive leftists who dominate California education need to be terminated and sent to educate children in Mexico.
l00ker on May 11, 2010 at 17:04:40 said:
This is the problem with California schools, and schools like this one should not get another dime of taxpayer money, let them ask Mexico for their dimes. Illegitimate traitorous fifth columnist bastards.
www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/Students-Wearing-American-Flag-Shirts-Sent-Home-92945969.html
Adrian on May 11, 2010 at 10:18:53 said:
Great essay. Yes, Kevin California is broke but illegal aliens cannot get food stamps or any welfare. Health care is provided in emergency needs to anyone regardless of your status, if you need medical attention then you get it in California. But since the housing market not may taxes are being paid to California, plus the California goverment is in limbo. As Jolene points out the politicians in Sacramento need to come togehter and work for a solution and stop pointing fingers. work for the solution of people needs for they are also California needs.
But yes go out there an vote. Regardless of your views, make the change for a beter California.
Kevin kenney on May 11, 2010 at 07:38:45 said:
California is broke. Too many welfare recipiants, too many illegal aliens using health care,food stamps, prisons etc...since the taxpayer is broke and the unions are fat, you will not get the education you deserve. Its a shame. If you are a citizens then vote these people out in 2010.
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