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Posted on July 12, 2012 by Christine Crosby in Governor Malloy, GRAND Magazine, Students First

Are Your Grandkids Good in Math?


By:  Michelle Rhee, CEO and Founder of StudentsFirstScores of U.S. students are not on top.
Not in the top ten. Not even close.Students in 26 countries around the world rank ahead of U.S. students in math: Finland, Australia, Poland, South Korea, Canada … the list goes on and on.

U.S. students are simply not prepared to compete in a global economy. Every American must be made aware of this reality, and we must continue to reform the system until every student is getting a top-notch education.

Our members are working hard to improve education so all of our students can climb to the top and compete globally. Through online petitions, emails and calls to elected officials, and testimony at state houses, we’re making a huge impact:
  • We supported Governor Malloy in Connecticut as he stood up to special interests, pushed for a bold education reform plan — and scored an important victory for kids. Improved teacher evaluations, more interventions for low-performing schools, and tenure reform are big steps for Connecticut.
  • In Georgia, parents can now see how schools compare to one another so they can make informed decisions about their children’s education. The legislation that passed also ensures that teachers are kept in the classroom based on effectiveness, not seniority.
  • Members in Ohio helped pass the “Cleveland Plan,” which gives schools more flexibility to explore innovative educational approaches, ensures all classrooms are led by effective teachers, and allows for performance-based pay for teachers.
  • Pennsylvania saw overwhelming bipartisan support to dramatically improve teacher and principal evaluations. The state legislature is creating new opportunities for economically disadvantaged students who are stuck in failing schools to attend high-quality private schools.
  • Our members helped create broad public support in New Jersey for a tenure bill that was unanimously passed through both Democratic-led chambers of the legislature and will soon be signed by the Republican governor. Teacher tenure is now a reward for great teaching. This bill will help put a great teacher in every classroom.

These legislative wins are possible because members like you are taking action and educating their family and friends about the need for reform. Tell your friends we need reform by sharing our image on Facebook now:

https://www.studentsfirst.org/us-rank

We’re not done yet. Right now, we’re working in Michigan to ensure that all teachers can take their benefits with them when they change schools or districts, and that families trapped in low-performing schools are empowered to organize to transform their community. And in communities all across the country we’re continuing to organize as our members fight for common sense policies that work best for students.

Thank you for joining this movement. We’re making a difference.

Michelle

Christine Crosby

About the author

Christine is the co-founder and editorial director for GRAND Magazine. She is the grandmother of five and great-grandmom (aka Grandmere) to one. She makes her home in St. Petersburg, Florida.

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