No Child Left Behind: The American Fallacy

Have you heard about SB 132 out of the Tennessee Senate by State Senator Campfield? Under this bill, children who do not "maintain satisfactory academic progress" and are of families receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families-- i.e. Welfare), those families will receive a 30% reduction in the amount of money received each month. Children who drop out or do not maintain passing grades and test scores in secondary schools will therefore cause their family to lose money until they rectify the situation in the classroom (Tennessee Senate, 2013).

Let us think about this for a moment. Research has concluded that students struggling in poverty situations are more likely to perform poorly in the classroom. Qualifying for the national reduced or free lunch program is an indicator of poverty which also signifies TANF eligibility and labels a student as "at-risk" within the school system by state law. Therefore, students whose families receive TANF have already been identified as being "at-risk" of low performance, dropping out, and needing extra assistance. For Communities In Schools, the leading national drop out prevention program in schools across the country (for which I intern), being a recipient of free or reduced lunch, and therefore also the students benefiting from Welfare, are eligible for case management services in order to create a protective barrier against the risk factors that are working against this student. All this to say, these kids are already expected to struggle in school.

According to this Tennessee Senator, the solution to poor kids failing at school: increase the poverty.

Let me also note that Tennessee only disperses up to $189/month per TANF family, far less monthly payments than many other states. A 30% reduction in payment brings that already low assistance down to a mere $132.30.

I hope by now you are seeing the glaring problem here with this bill proposed by Campfield. While I agree that academic performance and drop out needs the attention of the nation: lawmakers, funders, educators, districts; discriminating against children in poverty and putting these families at increased risk is far from the solution. It is a myth that only the economically disadvantaged struggle in school, so why are only these families targeted by this legislation?

Children in poverty are also at an increased risk for abuse and neglect. By increasing the stress and crisis experienced by families, the state is increasing the risk of domestic violence (which includes child abuse) (CDC, 2012). Children also struggle with developing a sense of self and confidence, this system will undermine these efforts and instead has the potential to fill children with shame and guilt. A 12 year old failing mathematics is to blame for the electricity being turned off, a 15 year old failing biology is the reason why siblings do not have enough food to eat. How is this the solution to poor academics?

Tennessee has 1,784 schools, of which 58.6% are economically disadvantaged and 55.4% are Title 1 (poor academic outcomes). The high school drop out rate in the state is between 4.3 - 6.9% while the 2012 attendance rate was 93.5%. At grades K-8, the 2012 attendance rate was 95.5% with a 98.4% grade promotion rate (Tennessee Dept. of Education, 2012). Clearly over the majority of schools struggle with poverty and poor academics, but children are coming to school and being passed on to the next grades. After one year working at a severely economically disadvantaged high school with students in crisis on the brink of giving up-- the education system needs an overhaul. However increasing the poverty and crisis of families when a child does not perform is counter-intuitive and counterproductive.

Campfield stated in an interview that he just expects kids can do their ABC's and 1-2-3's, yet this bill targets secondary education where the course work becomes more challenging than a PBS after-school special. Often times, the course work becomes more challenging than what parents with low education attainment themselves are able to assist with after school. These families need help, they need real help. This bill feeds into the false yet sweeping stereotype that adults on welfare are bottom feeders with no motivation and drug habits. This bill targets the poorest families of our nation and penalizes them for outcomes that are highly associated with the situation they are in in the first place. This bill seeks to punish the poor while letting the failing children of higher income brackets continue without harsh financial repercussion. Perhaps you believe that since these families are receiving a "government hand out" the least that can be expected is a stellar report card? All of our children in public school receive a "government hand out": their government, tax dollar paid, free education. Yet all of the children in Tennessee are not facing increased stressful consequences when they take their first exam next fall. Never has education been a qualifying or disqualifying factor for health and human service benefits from the government, the two should not begin a relationship now.

Campfield and the Tennessee Senate need to consult the literature and the research on poverty, education, abuse, and child welfare. The National Association of Social Workers of Tennessee needs to rise up to protect these children and families. This bill has already passed through several committees and has a scary, yet real chance of being enacted this coming July. While creating great publicity and an increased awareness of a failing academic system, this publicity stunt (if passed) will come with serious detriments to the people of Tennessee who already live in a system of oppression, social injustice, and discrimination.

Where is the common sense, compassion, and research informed policy decisions? If enacted, this bill will be another example of how "No Child Left Behind" is a false promise.

References for your futher reading:
TN SB 132: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/SB0132.pdf
Poverty and Education Outcomes: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2528798/
Risk Factors of Child Maltreatment: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childmaltreatment/riskprotectivefactors.html
TN Education Stats: http://edu.reportcard.state.tn.us/pls/apex/f?p=200:50:3245095726394371::NO

The lack of wealth in the richest nation

Our country's GDP is higher than every single nation in this vast world. Our gross income in 2011 was $14.99 trillion for 311.6 million people.

We can divide our citizens into the following social class groups:

1. Upper-upper class: The American aristocracy which represents less than 1% of our population and derives most of its wealth through inheritance and legacy.
2. Lower-upper class: The "new rich" are also called the working rich. This class represents approximately 3-4% of our population and is made up of the corporate elite, entrepreneurs, and ultra successful athletes and celebrities.
3. Middle class: As a whole, the middle class represents about 40-45% of our nation. This class depends on their incomes and employment is a source of status. It can be divided up as follows:
1. Upper-middle: Medical doctors, lawyers, and other elite professionals
2. Average-middle: Minor professionals such as teachers, social workers, nurses, small business owners
4. Lower-middle class/working class: Approximately 30% of our population falls into this class and is comprised of police officers, fire fighters, skilled laborers, office personnel
5. Working poor: This class is made up of roughly 20% of Americans. These people fall below the poverty line but are employed and working. These laborers typically have unskilled jobs such as cleaning, food service, and farm work. This class typically works at minimum wage and is offered no employee benefits.
6. Underclass/permanent poor: About 3-5% of our citizens fall into this category, often centered in rural areas or urban locations. When working, this class usually only has temporary jobs requiring very insignificant skills.

Now please see this short clip that provides visual displays of income distribution in America.

The American dream and the mantras of our nation are wrapped up in the notion that if you work hard, you will climb the social ladder. People are told to pull themselves up from their boot straps and face adversities with perseverance and hard work. As you can see from the social class explanation above, we are a country of hard workers, yet as the video shows-- that is not enough. Some people watch the above video and instead of  noticing an injustice to their neighbors, they see a motivator to become one of the top 10%. However when I watch this, I see the systemic issues here. This harsh extent of wealth inequality is linked with the perpetual cycles of social injustices that can be seen when we look at this nation's food insecurity (17.9 million households), lack of healthcare affordability and access (our system ranked 37th in the world), sub par treatment of education (ranked 17th in the world), and continued barriers set in place toward minorities (race, sex, sexual orientation).

When a country boasts its advancement and extravagance in terms of GDP, military force, and progressive unalienable rights and freedoms-- how are we still so behind when it comes to the quality of life experienced by each person who can call his or herself a United States Citizen.

If the same graphic representations of inequitable wealth distribution was shown for a country such as Haiti, who would not be surprised. You would also expect that other systems such as health, education, and food security had large margins for improvement. But this country is not under developed by the standard definition, this country remarks on itself as being a forefront leader in all things.

Our people deserve better. Americans should not be left with the intangible guarantees of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness without assurance of their next meal, a doctor who will treat an aliment without bankrupting a family, or an education that does not open enough doors. What does the pursuit of happiness look like to the 6.2 million households with children that do not know how to pursue food for dinner?

We cannot tell our hard working fellow Americans to simply pull themselves up from their boot straps...too many people do not have boots.

References

• World Bank: http://data.worldbank.org/country/united-states
• Johnson, M. & Rhodes, R. (2010). Human behavior and the larger social environment (2nd ed.).
• USDA. Household Food Secuirty in the United States in 2011.
• World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/whr/2000/media_centre/press_release/en/
• Pearson: http://thelearningcurve.pearson.com/country-profiles/united-states
• USDA: Food Insecurity in Households with Children (2009)

Respecting Marriages by Respecting Voters

Dear Conservative Legislature,
            I would like to share with you my support of the Respect for Marriage Act which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. In our country, the business of marriage and marriage licenses are left as a responsibility to each state. The DOMA sets a federal guideline which then negates the decisions of majority voters in states that have legalized same-sex marriage. Currently in our nation, 9 states and the District of Columbia authorize same-sex marriages with 15.8% of our country’s population living in these states.
            Whether you morally agree with same-sex partnership and marriage yourself is not the issue at hand here. As a member of this democracy, there is an expectation that the vote of the majority is respected and honored. The DOMA essentially ignores the voices in these 9 states and D.C. that have said, “Yes, we will allow and recognize same-sex marriages.” Therefore, these legally married couples are still excluded from over 1,100 federal benefits and protections that are otherwise accessed by heterosexual married couples with the same state license. I understand that we live in a country still divided on whether same-sex marriage should be authorized; however with more and more states issuing marriage licenses for homosexual couples due to the votes of the majority, it is now our duty to respect these couples and respect their marriages.
            The RMA bill is expected to be reintroduced in the 113^th session of Congress. I ask you to please validate, respect, and honor the votes of these 9 states and the District of Columbia, by supporting the Respect for Marriage Act, thereby repealing the Defense of Marriage Act. I appreciate your time, attention, and consideration on this issue.
                                                                        Sincerely,
                                                                        Venée M. Hummel

I personally dream of a day when same-sex marriage is a possibility for all homosexuals in this nation, across all 50 states and DC. I hope for a day when a promise of love, honor, and commitment is recognized by equal access to state marriage licenses. However, when asked to write a letter to a legislature concerning a policy change I endorse, I recognized that I live in a Red State and all of my district representatives at the state level and Congressional representatives are Republicans. I knew I had to take a new angle to broach the idea of same-sex marriage equality to my representatives.

This country is rooted in the belief that the power is held by the people. This country is rooted in the democratic process and the power of a vote. Our representatives across the three branches of government are expected to uphold, support, and defend our Constitution which is the framework for the aforementioned beliefs.

If you do not support same-sex marriage on a basis of philosophical, moral, religious, or even bigoted reasoning, yet you are a member of the legislative body expected to protect and respect the democratic process-- then my letter is to you. Forget your stance on same-sex marriage, let us remember what it means when citizens take to the voting polls. By continued support of the DOMA, each vote, each voice, each step into the voting poll that spoke up in favor of same-sex marriage equality is ignored, invalidated, discredited. The majority spoke in 9 states and the District of Columbia, yet the value of a marriage license to a same-sex couple is marginalized compared to that of a heterosexual couple. 

Respect for the Defense of Marriage Act is a back turned on the democratic principles this nation is supposed to uphold. However, support for the Respect for Marriage Act tells voters of these states, "We heard you and we will respect your vote." It tells these couples who are legally married, "We will accept your marriage, because your state accepts and respects your marriage."

I hope one day we can honor the inherent dignity of all peoples, regardless of sexual orientation and identity. Until then, I will ask conservatives to at least honor the dignity of voters.