By Velma Bailey

Public Education Is Too Important to Leave the Public Uninformed

Official LWVUS Position on Public Education

 “A quality public education is essential for a strong, viable, and sustainable democratic society and is a civil right.” -  League of Women Voters of the United States, Position on the Federal Role in Public Education

The LWVUS National Board adopted this position in March 2012, following a two-year national study of the federal role in public education.

Why We Must Revive the Education Committee Now. . .

As a local League, it is our duty to reclaim the mantle of studying, understanding, and informing the public about what is happening to public education in our region.

Let us bring the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan St. Louis Education Committee back into action.

At a time when public education is facing significant challenges and major policy changes, our League has both an opportunity and a responsibility to step up and provide the public with accurate information. The public needs a trusted, nonpartisan source of thoroughly researched, fact-based information about the laws, policies, funding, decisions, and practices shaping public education.

This work is particularly important as the St. Louis region confronts critical questions involving:

• St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) and its future;
• Charter schools and their impact on public education;
• School vouchers and education funding;
• The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE);
• Local, state, and federal education laws and policies;
• Governance, management, and accountability;
• Legal issues, legislation, regulations, and proposed policy changes; and
• The impact of education policies on students, families, educators, and communities.

The League has a process that prepares us to study the facts, ask difficult questions, demand transparency, and help the public understand the answers.

Our Record Shows the Public Wants This Information from the League of Women Voters

During the last primary election, the League's website information on the amendments was viewed thousands of times. That level of public interest alone demonstrates that people are looking to the League for information they can trust.

We do our homework. We research the facts. We provide information that helps people understand complicated issues and make informed decisions.

At this crucial time in our history, Public Education deserves the League’s level of attention.

Who are we seeking?

The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan St. Louis is seeking one to three League members to serve as Chair(s) of the Education Committee.

This does not have to be a one-person responsibility. Two or three members may serve as joint chairs, sharing the responsibilities and bringing different experiences, knowledge, and perspectives to the work.

What Will the Chair(s) Do?

The Chair(s) will:

• Facilitate a monthly Education Committee meeting;
• Identify timely education issues for study and discussion;
• Invite knowledgeable speakers and subject-matter experts;
• Encourage research into local, state, and federal education policies;
• Examine legislation, regulations, funding, governance, and legal issues;
• Help distinguish facts from misinformation and unsupported claims; and
• Ensure that League members have access to accurate, balanced, thoroughly researched, fact-based information.

Will You Help Lead this Crucial Work?

If you have an interest in education, public policy, government, law, research, or community engagement—or if you simply believe that the public deserves reliable information about the future of our schools—we invite you to consider serving as a Chair or Co-Chair of the Education Committee.

The time to revive the LWV Metropolitan St. Louis Education Committee is now.

Our history as a League shows that when we work, we Widen Participation. Demand Transparency. Do the Research. Inform the Public. Strengthen Democracy.