Pamphlets

I have been a Catholic my entire life and until the last two election cycles, have never received voter information.  I find it a bit disturbing that I have a hierarchy who thinks it's acceptable to tell me what to vote for and what to lobby against.

Over the last couple of weeks, there have been pamphlets in the pews from the Colorado Catholic Conference stating that I need to "Protect Traditional Marriage".  I am to vote no on Civil Union Legislation.  And if I fail to vote in this way I am somehow failing to protect women and children.

I fail to see how civil union legislation passing endangers women and children.  I'd love for someone to explain this to me.  These people of the Colorado Catholic Conference had better come up with a more compelling reason for me to vote or not vote for something than silly scare tactics.


Don't get me wrong, I support my church's stand on most issues and follow all the doctrinal issues with fidelity.  But telling me what to vote for and not to vote for is not one of those things that they have jurisdiction over.

I am a citizen of the United States.  And as a citizen of this country I am guaranteed the right to vote as I see fit.  As long as I cultivate a good conscience and vote using that conscience, the church has no right to tell me how to vote. 

Of all the ills plaguing society and all the issues that work against women and children, civil unions is at the bottom of this list.  When am I going to start seeing pamphlets addressing poverty and domestic violence lining the pews of my church?

CSAP Drama Unfolds

I would like from the beginning of this note commend Ben’s teacher and the school’s principal for taking the time to discuss the CSAP testing issue. While I don’t think the conclusion of the meeting was to their liking, they were most gracious and put forth excellent arguments for Ben taking the test.

We had a lively debate regarding the bad and good of standardized testing and standards in general.

I, of course, was the boisterous contrast to my husband’s laid back, “authority” figure. He and I compliment each other well and make a pretty good team. His ability to command attention is the opposite of mine, but most effective and will serve him well in his pursuit of administrative positions in any educational environment.

The pressure for the school in getting the students all on board is immense and the pressure to pass is even more so. And I fully sympathize with the administration’s almost desperate situation. Control of the school hangs in the balance if more and more parents decide that their child shouldn’t be taught to a test.

I will at this point make the point that Ben’s school does a fabulous job balancing teaching the test and including other subjects not covered, providing a good all around education. That is precisely why Ben is attending that particular school. But the principal even conceded that there are many schools who spend their entire day and year teaching children how to and what’s only on the test exclusively.

Ben’s teacher has a heavy emphasis on Science in her class, something that isn’t taught on the test. And my husband and I appreciate that. It’s the fact that not all teachers are as conscientious in this area.

The punitive nature of the testing itself is enough for me to say no to it. There is no reward for doing well on the test. There is only the promise of continued autonomy as long as you are up to par. Not to mention the amount of money it costs to administer and grade the tests.

There are so many reasons that Ben will not be taking the test and the situation would have laid less heavily on my mind had his principal not been so reasonable and agreeable.

What it comes down to is that it’s the principle of the matter, a matter of differing philosophy, an unwillingness to work within the system if working within that system means my child will be taught to take a test. It’s the fact that Federal mandates are bullying our children’s districts and schools to adhere to punitive and negative policies that will keep my children from a full and liberal education.

CSAP Drama Begins!

Well, I just got a phone call from my son's principal regarding the letter sent her last week. She wants to meet with me and Dan regarding Ben's not participating in CSAP testing.

In the phone conversation she started the pressure tactics. Intimating that I don't understand the impact that his not testing will have on the school. But as I have stated before, the school exists for benefit of my child, my child does not exist for the benefit of the school!

To be continued...