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"Having been born and spent my entire life in southern
California (I'm 51), I was fascinated and disheartened by "First
to Worst" which I saw for the first time on the evening
of October 13th. I'd like my wife, who is an often frustrated
5th grade teacher, along with her teaching associates to see
this film."
- Michael Mooney, Anaheim, CA
"I just now saw the tail end of the program while "channel
surfing", and regret very much that I missed the bulk of
it. I moved to CA in part because of the excellent schools (at
the time), and was distraught to see how deteriorated they'd
become because of Prop 13; and they've only become worse since
I moved here. One really has not choice, if one wishes to educate
one's children well, but to either very carefully choose the
school district one moves to, acquire private schooling, or
home school. I hope to see the entire show some time, in order
to accumulate talking points to friends; one might hope that
eventually we as a state can garner enough public support to
mitigate the worst financial impacts to our schools."
- Martin Minnich, Buena Park, CA
"This program brings a number of new issues and unintended
consequences to light. As a school board member in my 5th year
of service for a small district, I am all to familiar with the
inadequacy of funds we receive from the state of Calif for educating
our kids, paying teachers and maintaining facilities. For me,
the most profound concept is the semi-privitization of public
schools. While the affluent areas can and do raise many hundred's
of thousands and even millions of dollars each year, those funds
are not simply provided to schools for use in their general
fund. These foundations have increasing say and influence over
school programs and what is being offered above and beyond what
the state requires and the districts can afford. Superintendents
find themselves spending more and more time working with these
groups and their agendas. Not always an easy job when the money
is so desperately needed for paying staff and keeping programs
alive. It is both a carrot and stick."
- Bill Chiocchi, Los Gatos, CA
"The
problem with education is that teachers are no longer selfless?
Goodness, teachers should give up families so they don't have
to worry about making enough money to support them? Teachers
should take half their wages in simply the joys of the job?
Does this mean that folks in other professions don't equally
love their jobs? And if so, should they all be expected to take
half their wages in that joy? Gee, I bet CEOS love their jobs
too.."
- Jill, OH
"
Prop 13 was a grass roots
effort pushed forward by the vast majority of home owners who
were being destroyed by obscene taxes levied by the Calif democratic
tax & spend legislature. The amount of money & power
dedicated to it's defeat by the opposition was nothing less
than breathtaking in it's scope, but because of the strangulation
of taxes, the people had finally had enough.
Had Prop 13 not passed, the majority of home owners would have
been forced to sell their homes, move into rental units and
would not have been able to afford to purchase another house.
It's absolutely incredible how the tax & spend imbeciles
like Jerry Brown & Gray Davis and the San Francisco democrat
mafia that rules the Calif legislature, blame all of California's
problems on Prop 13. Did Prop 13 cause the democrat ruled legislature
to refuse EVERY ONE of the 34 power plant permits to be issued,
causing horrendous energy shortages??? Did Prop 13 force Gray
Davis to waste an $80+ BILLION surplus and put Calif into red
ink for over $189 BILLION in 3 short years???? Thank God for
Prop 13, it saved many thousands of people from being forced
to give up their homes.
What I wish everyone would find out is how the Lottery money
that's supposed to go to education, isn't being given to education
like promised. As an initial supporter of the lottery
to help support & build Calif's education system, unfortunately
it's turned into the largest bait & switch scam in Calif
history. The education system isn't seeing any of the money
we were told it was going to receive and the real winners are
the Lottery officials and the state legislature.
Richard Lee Colvin who wrote an LA Times article in Sunday's
Times, is one of the most insightful, thought provoking and
brilliant writers on the education system. This is the man who
should be running the board of education for our country and
at the very least, all of Calif."
– Ray Holt, Huntington Beach, CA
"I
want to extend my sincere thanks and compliments for your wonderful
research and reporting in the ongoing documentary series on
education in America. This is vitally important in these days
of rapid, often foolish changes in education. It is difficult
to find clear statistics and analysis, especially with respect
to events over time, as agencies attempt to obscure mistakes
of the past. I especially appreciate your bold –
and correct I think – analysis of California's Prop 13
as the root of the woes and weaknesses in its educational system.
Please keep up the good work."
– Terry Lamb, Spring Valley, CA
"Very
enlightening program and good for all in California to be aware
of. I do not understand why the LOTTERY was not even mentioned.
It had to have been left out intentionally– could not
have been, "oops, we forgot". We need to know how
that money is being used as it must be of some benefit to all
schools.
To continue to blame Proposition 13 for the financial problems
with the schools is, I believe, incorrect. The citizens
of California are sending a definite message to the government
that they need to make better use of the monies they are provided.
At the time Proposition 13 went through, it was a 'God send'
to my household. We would have been unable to keep our home.
And we all know that would have happened to how many households
in California. Stop and think of the outcome of how many families,
to this date, would not now be homeowners. Those that have homes
would be paying a lot of taxes, but many families would be unable
to own a home, thus not paying property taxes– not enjoying
the benefits of being a homeowner."
– Lory Rosa, Whittier, CA
"Having
been born and raised in Iowa with their great public school
system, I am always amazed at the amount of problems that California
public schools face. Your program was a clear explanation on
the many factors that have contributed to this condition. One
very interesting aspect that was presented in the program was
the contrast between the school systems of San Pablo and Orinda.
The program was correct in calling San Pablo a working class
community, but did not really give any descriptive adjective
for Orinda except, I believe, upscale. To put in bluntly, Orinda
is one of the most exclusive communities in the entire Bay Area.
Many CEO's and other top management people live in that town.
The median income for San Pablo is $25,500 and Orinda is around
$81,000. These are 1990 figures but the gap has probably increased,
especially during the nineties. When the program talks about
how Orinda parents conduct their own fundraiser activities,
this over 3 to 1 income disparity is not mentioned. Of course,
Orinda residents are more financially able to assist in outside
educational funding due to just having the bucks to do so and
to perhaps, more free time for one parent to engage in these
activities. My concern is that outsiders viewing this
program may jump to the conclusion that, well, why don't the
parents of San Pablo do the same thing as the parents
in Orinda? This was an excellent program but I
believe that the true disparity in those two communities should
have been more defined."
– Mark E. Blunck, Oakland, CA
"I am so happy to see that more than the handful of people
I have come across in the past couple years I have lived in
CA are concerned about the schools here. I moved with my family
from NY to CA in 2002. When we looked for housing our priority
was good schools. We were told the Danville schools are ranked
as one of the best in CA. I found out after we moved in that
the reason it is ranked high is a result of a constant stream
of money and volunteer hours given by the parents to the school.
Even with this the schools come no where close to offering what
we had in NY. I am so frustrated with the complacency
of the residents of CA. What happened to offering no cost education
to all citizens?"
– Denise Mallozzi, Danville, CA
"I am a 13 year old girl. I attend Spurgeon Intermediate,
located in Santa Ana, California. I was watching the program
"FIRST TO WORST", and I really agreed with what Merrow
had to say. It's all true, our schools are at crisis. The school
I attend does not even have enough seats in the classroom for
ALL the students. About five kids in each class don't have a
seat (their are 7 classes, multiply that by five. That's 35
kids who don't have a seat. THAT IS A WHOLE CLASS.) Not only
is the student body suffering now, but ten years from now the
state of California will suffer, itself. Every adult
any where will say; 'children are the future.' They say that
all the time, yet no one really does anything about it.
So now I ask you to help me, help myself, to help every child
who needs it. Don't just sit their wishing for somebody somewhere
to stand up and do something. Instead you should be that some
one.
P. S. If anybody is willing to help I will help by organizing
some sort of organization that will help our school.
Sincerely speaking, from the eyes of the chaos itself, Marilyn,
Santa Ana, CA"
"I
watched this program on the first to worst California School
system, the first and foremost question in my mind is WHY? I
thought the 'Lottery' was supposed to help with this problem
where is all that money going? Isn't that why we voted
for it in the first place?"
– Kristal, Perris CA
"Wow.
This program really rocked my world. I'm actively involved with
the public schools here in San Francisco as a parent, Site Council
member and district activist. But this show really makes me
want to mobilize my peers at the state level to address real
change.
While the program definitely shows extremes in California (my
own children's school is wonderful and is everything I hoped
elementary school would be for my child - private or public)
I'm very aware that in our own district the quality
ranges are extreme and that inequity is rampant.
Thank you for clarifying the facts and issues - and for helping
light some fires. I think there will be new action coming out
of this - at least for me!"
– Lorraine Woodruff-Long, San
Francisco, CA
"First
some qualifiers:
I enjoyed a 15-yr award-winning career in broadcast journalism.
I've spent 30 years in marketing. I am a credentialed teacher
with 12 years of community college teaching experience in Arizona
and California. I'm a product of public schools in Minnesota
and California. Grew up in a Union-worshipping Democrat family.
That said, FIRST TO WORST has the fingerprints of a liberal-slanted,
let's-get-more-money-from-taxpayers theme all over it!
Prop 13 did not strictly
cause the demise of public schools, but was rather property
owners saying, "We're mad as hell and we're not going to
take it anymore!" Credit the liberal politicians
who governed California during the 60's with creating the climate.
There's ample evidence that throwing more money at schools DOES
NOT improve education. The program correctly identifies loss
of revenues and heavy immigration as major factors. Lifestyle
changes (increasing divorce, single-parenting, drugs, etc) are
also a factor.
The revenue challenge can be solved. But not by politicians
who think TAX is the way. It will take some brilliant private
enterprise people to come up with a way to fund schools. And,
I'm confident that once we get over the mind set of "deep
taxpayer pockets" and start thinking of creative ways for
schools to make money that part of the solution will be handled.
But it won't make our teachers better.
FIRST TO WORST scrupulously avoids any mention of what is obviously
one of the greater milestones of educational degradation: the
growth of teachers' unions. There was a day when people chose
teaching as a career because they wanted to actually do it.
They accepted low salaries. They often didn't marry. They didn't
party (at least not in their home town!) In other words they
were DEDICATED.
Today, the mind set of a significant number of teachers is to
get a very secure job where you work less than 180 days a year
but get a full-time salary. Today, it appears, there are three
main reasons to become a teacher: JUNE, JULY and AUGUST.
Until we get creative funding and teachers who are dedicated
to teaching and not their paychecks and working conditions...well,
the downward spiral will continue."
– Jay Lloyd, Benicia, CA
"I
think that you made an error in stating that Helms
Middle School in San Pablo is being upgraded with funds
that were provided from a bond measure that passed the 2/3 requirement.
This was not the case and it is a shame that it was presented
this way because it would lead one to think that the right things
are getting past the 2/3 requirement.
In the WCCUSD (West Contra Costa Unified School District)
almost all funding measures in the last 15 years have gotten
a majority vote, but none have passed by the 2/3 requirement.
This requirement enables minority rule because the votes of
just over 1/3 of the voters are determining policy. This is
'the problem'. I feel that your show was politically
biased because you did not attempt to show how many initiatives
have failed the 2/3. 55% is better but still not right for the
same reason. School bond measures may help restore a good looking
educational environment but if districts cannot afford good
teachers, counselors or special programs, what good are new
schools.
I felt that your program did not address the perversity of the
2/3 vote or give viewers the dire picture that my kids bring
home from their school experiences or that I get when I go to
school board meetings. I got the impression from watching First
to Worst that things are now efficient when indeed they are
grossly inadequate."
– Justus Wunderle, El Cerrito, CA
"Your
documentary touches on the impact
of immigration and cries out for someone to assess its effects,
but the interviewees don't take on the issue; instead they round
up the usual suspects, to wit, Proposition
13 and the disastrous centralization of control at the state
level. While the latter two were harmful and regretful neither
they nor teacher seniority rules are the main problems.
I wonder if the Rand Corporation, or any other credible research
group, has studied what continuing effect Proposition 13 has
in terms of property tax revenue? Since its passage,
property values have increased dramatically, thousands of new
homes have been built and the property tax assessment of other
tens of thousands of homes has been raised upon sale.
In addition, counties promptly raised or instituted fees for
all services and the state raised vehicle fees to generate revenue.
Then, of course, there's the lottery, that great boon to education
- I'm kidding.
Another ugly consequence of our lack of political will to enact
immigration reform is the effect on the poorest members of our
citizenry, the ones in most need of attention and of the liberation
that quality education affords. As the increasing population
dilutes not only the power of the education dollar but the availability,
personalized nature and effectiveness of all services, those
living in inner-city slums, in rural poverty, in chronic unemployment,
in the
absence of health care become more disenfranchised. These people,
African-American, Latino, White, Native American, may be ignored
but they are not invisible. Our history of race riots, the proliferation
of gangs, the rampant drug and alcohol use, the disintegration
of the family, the percentage of these who are in prison or
on parole, the rise in AIDS cases among them, all remind us
of the unacceptable domestic toll.
Thanks for your thoughtful article and documentary. Schools
do affect the quality of our lives but, to paraphrase the song,
we're looking for solutions in all the wrong places.
"
– Danell Nedom
"One
of the commentators you quoted said that teachers don't want
to work. Perhaps this person should teach at three different
schools for less than $40,000 a year and work 80 hours a week."
– Vida Pavesich, Alameda, CA
"As
a resident of California since just after Prop
13 passed, I'm ashamed of our schools. However, property
taxes are not the only conceivable tax base for schools. Even
if we can't raise prop taxes, we need to find funding from whatever
revenue sources we do have (all of which are hard pressed, I
know).
As a parent of an autistic child, the school funding deficiencies
become even more apparent and life-altering. Special
ed laws are blatantly disregarded when even regular ed is so
poorly funded. This is extremely short sighted, since California
taxpayers will be supporting these children who might have been
contributing members of society if the laws had been adhered
to for many years to come in institutions with low quality of
life."
– Linda Weinert, Los Altos, Santa Clara County, CA
"Having
been so fortunate to be born in the 50's, to graduate from a
public high school in Moraga, Ca in 1972, having spent my entire
education, save 2 years, in the CA public schools, and graduating
from UC Berkeley, I watched this program with great sadness.
I was at Berkeley during 1978 and fought to defeat Prop
13, knowing then it meant disaster for public schools and
public services. I could not then imagine just how bad it would
get.
I can only say thank you for producing this sad and
infuriating show,and I can only hope voters watch it and realize
it is past time to repeal or massively revise Prop 13.
I spent a week in Westchester County, NY, recently, where my
host, a retiree, pays over $10,000 annually in property taxes
for a modest 4 bedroom home. She would not have it any other
way....she knows she gets the very best schools, the best train
system directly to NYC, the fastest police/paramedic response
time, and a miniscule amount of development in the town.
She knows how her $10,000 is spent every day. Her town is simply
a gem. When I was leaving her town, (Croton-on-Hudson) I told
her, Prop 13 ruined California. I still believe that."
– Jo, Cloverdale, CA
"Good
analysis of Prop 13. Poor
on everything else. Scapegoated whole
lang., Latino students,
and emerg. cred. teachers (still more qualified than 99% of
private/Catholic school teachers!). Never mentioned white flight/busing
impact on urban districts. $$$ is obviously THE problem
as wealthy areas such as Orinda
(95% white) have NO problems with run down buildings, etc.
Solution is FEDERAL $$ instead of local taxes. This is how most
nations fund education: France, Germany, Japan, etc. USA
is wealthiest in world yet has some of the worst schools. WHY?
Merrow never asked the obvious questions = superficial report."
– G. Embrey MA History, BCC Spanish, Bilingual teacher
since 1984
"Currently
the Santa Monica School District is proposing that 15% of the
money raised by its wealthy schools should be shared with the
district. This is only one example of the private
funding of public schools as detailed in your program. I
feel that as long as wealthy parents can assure that their children's
schools will be well provided for, they will never support the
tax reform needed to properly support ALL public schools.
This private funding of public schools should be illegal.
Only when ALL children are subject to the same privations will
the state of California pass the needed reforms to appropriately
fund education. Poor children of color need a good education
as much or more than rich white kids. I support a tax increase
to educate all children in California rather than make contributions
to educate a privileged few."
– Josephine Valiulis, Los Angeles, CA
"Why
was the lottery not mentioned? I voted for the lottery expecting
that the money would go to the public schools. To this day,
I feel cheated that our schools are suffering. What
happened to the lottery money?"
– S Coveney, San Francisco, CA
"I
was born in California and attended its schools until sixth
grade. I think I got a fine education to that point. In fact,
my sixth-grade teacher at Rhoeding School in Fresno was a Mr.
Merrow (no relation, different pronunciation). I spent the next
five years in Connecticut schools, where I believe I received
a much more classic education than I might have received in
CA. Then I finished up in California and graduated in San Diego,
June 1966. Many years passed before I returned to college, obtained
my credential and began teaching. I now teach sixth grade in
Bakersfield, CA and am paddling as fast as I can to present
the best education possible to my 34 mixed ability, mixed language,
low SES, students.
And now my comments on your program, which I looked forward
to with great anticipation: You left out soooooo much! I
have watched you cover other topics in great detail and hope
that this is only the beginning of your study of California's
schools. Proposition
13 is only a fraction of the problem in our schools, but
became the bulk of your program.
I have only taught for eight years, so I do not consider myself
an expert by any stretch; however, if my parents took their
students' educations as seriously as the parents in Orinda
(the obvious discrepancy in education and financial means not
withstanding), my students would fare much, much better. BUT
THEY DON'T! Obviously, some of my parents are concerned, caring
people with high expectations and deep involvement. But the
vast majority, for any number of reasons, are uninvolved with
their children's educations; they don't read to their children
(possibly can't read), don't monitor homework, sometimes allow
students to stay up until ludicrous hours, and then send them
to school in dirty clothes, unfed, unkempt, and tired.
Mr. Merrow, before you think I have nothing good to say about
my wonderful students, I want to go on record as saying this
year's class is the best behaved class I have had in the eight
years I have been teaching. They struggle with factors that
reach way beyond anything they or I can control, and put on
a pleasant face every day. But they are behind. And
there are so many factors at work here, that I am deeply bothered
with the possible oversimplification of 'It's Proposition 13's
fault.' The problems with California's school system
are too complex for that; I hope you are considering further
examination of the many facets of failure."
– Susan Stewart-Turnbull, Bakersfield, CA
"I am a product of the California public school system.
Fortunately, I was a student in the sixties during its golden
age. Now, I'm a teacher during its era of rust and decay.
I found your program honest and informative. The system
is failing our students. It is also failing our teachers.
As you noted, the class size reduction program created a void
and many un credentialed teachers were hired. But many of those
teachers were no worse than those coming out of the state teacher
credentialing programs. I found my year of "learning to
be a teacher" to be of little use once I entered the classroom.
I had to be in the classroom for several years before I really
believed myself to be a teacher.
Now we're faced with a new dilemma. All teachers must be "highly
qualified." This condition, however, is not the state failing
us; it's the federal government failing us. Once again, our
attention must be turned from educating our students to creating
reams of paperwork that will most likely never be read. For
every form I have to fill out and every report I have to write,
my students lose part of my energy that could have gone to them.
There are many educators like John
Deasy in California and I applaud what he did in Santa Monica.
I also applaud all those others who have devoted their lives
to educating the children of California."
– Barbara Wylie, San Francisco, CA
"Here
in Maine, a tax cap referendum is slated for November which
mirrors California's Proposition
13. We came upon the review of "First to Worst"
while doing research for opposition to the referendum.
It seems extremely important for the voters in Maine
to see the potential damage that faces them with this referendum.
How can we go about getting this program aired on Maine PBS?"
– Meghan Gaven, S. Portland, ME |
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