Who really cares about education, anyway?

Flo Martin

The Orange County Department of Education threw a party and nobody,

or practically nobody, came. Some two weeks ago, Steve Smith included

details in his weekly column about the party. Candidates for Assembly

Districts 68 and 69 would be featured speakers at a forum at La

Quinta High School. The discussion would highlight the candidates’

position on education issues.

“Now that’s going to be an important meeting,” I thought.

“Everyone and their mother’s uncle are griping about our schools. I’m

sure they’ll be there. Everyone’s interested in education these

days.”

For example, a headline in Thursday’s Los Angeles Times reads,

“Most Freshmen at Cal State Still Lack Basic Academic Skills” and the

accompanying article went into great details about the issue. Now

that’s big news.

The Daily Pilot featured an article about Shannon Jay, the

temporary teacher who was summarily fired recently. The controversy

spilled onto the Pilot’s front page, with an editorial all-call to

the readers to voice their opinion. More big news.

In a mere two months, voters are going to decide whether to spend

$24.7 billion, $12.3 billion principle and $12.4 billion interest, on

the Public Education Facilities bond. My thought: “Maybe the

candidates will have some information. Such a big chunk of change is

really big, really big.” (Insert Ed Sullivan’s voice here.)

So, long story short, I went to the party. What a shocker to see

about 15 people there, including the five candidates. Adding insult

to injury, a candidate was a no-show. The folks who were there were

either officials from the various school districts or the press.

Where are all the parents? Where are all the people who care?

My disappointment didn’t last long, though. I got to chat with

former Assemblywoman Marian Bergeson, one of my long-time heroes.

She’s quality people and she definitely cares.

Why is Bergeson a hero? Well, 25 years ago, like Jay, I served as

a long-term sub for a teacher on a three-year leave. In 1981, when

the lady decided to return, I was let go. Fortunately, I found a

position with another school district. Later, I received a letter

from Bergeson in which she wrote, “I understand you are no longer

with the Newport-Mesa [Unified] School District -- I wish you were!”

(She must have had some advance information because in 1993 I was

named California Outstanding Foreign Language Teacher of the Year.)

Back to the party. About an hour ago, I was chatting online with

an old friend and colleague, Hal Wingard. Wingard, a former teacher,

recently retired as executive director for the California Language

Teachers’ Assn. He, just like Bergeson, has cared all his adult life

about education. I was shedding crocodile tears to him about the lack

of interest in the “party.” His hilarious response lifted my spirits:

“Of course nobody came to the O.C. party. Who cares about

education in California? The only person I know is nobody,” he wrote.

“Can I quote you?” I asked.

“Quote? Of quorse!”

“I love your sense of humor, thanks for the laugh,” I wrote.

“Flo, I’m concerned about you. You take it as a joke when I’m

being dead serious. Humor is not in my vocablablablabulary,” he

responded.

OK, let’s get serious. The big issues won’t go away. Proposition

55, the possible suspension of Proposition 98, the earmarking of

funds for education -- they all say one thing to those who are

complaining the loudest about our schools: Put your money where your

mouth is. Next time there’s a forum, go.

* FLO MARTIN is a retired high school teacher, lectures part-time

at Cal State Fullerton in the Foreign Language Education program and

supervises student teachers in their classrooms.