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May 15, 2012 | No Time to Stand Aside
When I was a young mother, it took me by surprise how intensely protective I felt about my kids. I soon learned that other mothers I knew, those who lived in Michigan public housing in chaotic conditions, felt just as strongly although they had a much harder time providing safety and security for their kids. My dream then, as now, was to foster a community that helps all mothers who dream for their children, not one that gives up on them or puts barriers in their way.
This Mother's Day, I thought about those young moms -- who, like me, now have gray hair and grown kids. I wrote this Update in their honor.
Washington continues to battle over the budget, is it time for "austerity" or "investment"? From the focus on interest rates in the student loan debate to the broad sweep of last week's House Sequester vote, politicians are working hard to sway public opinion and votes; but the stakes for families and communities are even higher. This is no time to stay on the sidelines.
Part of the fight is over keeping the American Dream alive - a society that offers opportunity to "improve your lot." If we close off pathways to a better life, we lose the core of what we prize.
A key pathway forward has always been a good education. When a tiered housing system consigns some kids to poorer schools, we're in trouble. When all schools improve, we can find hope for their future, and ours.
And what do young people themselves have to say? Quite a lot. Check out the inspiring entries in the SparkOpportunity contest - and due to popular demand we're extending the deadline to submit. So enter today, and encourage your colleagues and peers to do the same!
Onward,
Jan
We heart feedback! Email jan@sparkaction.org.
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How psyched am I to be working with Jon Bon Jovi on the #SparkOpportunity Challenge? Very, my friends, very! http://t.co/khrfTOB9 @thaddeusferber
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| Washington, DC: A Dangerous Replacement, and More 
U.S. House Seeks Dangerous Replacement
On May 10, the House of Representatives passed the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act, to avoid automatic across-the-board cuts to military and domestic spending. But the Act itself would cut billions of dollars from critical programs for children and families, including: food stamps, the Social Services Block Grant, child care and Medicaid.
 Collective Communications
Now is the time to write letters to the editor to reinforce our shared message and help others understand what's at stake.
- To bolster your case, check out Voices for America's Children summary.
- The Children's Leadership Council released a Statement to Congress urging a very different course to protect from further harm the children and families who are already struggling with low wages and high unemployment.
 The Senate will vote on the bill this week. The Coalition on Human Needs says now's the time to use your finger (not that one) -- to send a message to Congress. Our outreach now could have a big impact on the final decisions the House and Senate make.
Also this Week
"Put Child Care on the Map" Kicks Off May 17
The federal government plays a big role in child care policy and funding, but child care isn't front and center for many members of Congress. The National Women's Law Center's new campaign kicks off with a conference call on May 17 at 2 pm ET.
A new Brookings report says states can make the most of their investments in college a ffordability by integrating need- and merit-based approaches, and targeting aid dollars to students with the most limited resources. States should also consolidate programs to make the system simpler for prospective students and their families.
In an editorial for CNN, William Bennett says that low interest rates should not be extended. Making an argument that has appeared elsewhere on editorial pages, Bennett implies that lower interest rates contribute to an education bubble that could burst.
Do you agree? If not, say so in a letter to the editor or a call to your reps in Congress.You'll find tools here.
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| Quote of the Week 
"History tells us that people who change the world are often young -- they just need the chance."
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| Better Food, Better Health
Bans on School Junk Food Pay Off in California
Five years California started cracking down on junk food in school cafeterias. A new report shows that now California's high school students consume fewer calories and less fat and sugar at school than students in other states.
The Texas Department of State Health Services is encouraging all Texas employers to voluntarily support breastfeeding with a written worksite breastfeeding support policy.
Expecting Better: A State-by-State Analysis of Laws That Help New Parents
 Hurray for California and Connecticut - two states that show real leadership in supporting new mothers in the workplace - from access to paid leave and paid sick days to workplace rights for nursing. Check out how your state is doing in this National Partnership for Women and Families report.
Check out the SparkAction Early Nutrition Toolkit!
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| Keeping Them Safe
"No Other State is Rougher on its Children than Texas"
Here's a great example of advocacy paying off. Michael Petit had a long talk with a prominent political cartoonist about protecting children from abuse. The result? A great cartoon!
A Child's Right to Counsel A National Report Card on Legal Representation for Abused and Neglected Children
As Justice Blackmun lamented in 1989 - "poor Joshua," the young boy, known by the local authorities to be in danger, who was brain damaged from brutal beatings by his father. Who speaks for poor Joshua?
In their third annual report First Star and the Children's Advocacy Institute find that half of the states cheat abused and neglected children of their right to appropriate legal representation, denying them an effective voice in proceedings that determine their futures.
The Department of Justice has resources for parents, programs and policymakers to prevent and reduce  children's exposure to violence in the U.S.
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| Improving Education
Ten Steps in the Right Direction: How Feds Can Strengthen Public Education
In his ten-point list to improve federal policy supporting public education, Dan Domenech, Executive Director of the American Association of School Administrators, includes more full funding for IDEA, raising the E-Rate cap and restoring the Rural Education Achievement Program along with support for common core standards and changes to ESEA's competitive grant and waiver structures.
Jobs for the Future Series on Student-Centered Learning
There is plenty of evidence that students learn better when they are actively engaged in their learning. JFF's series on student-centered learning covers key topics, including math for minorities and how school districts can encourage effective student-centered learning approaches.
From the Boardroom to the School Board: Why Business Engagement in School Governance is Important
In case studies of rural and urban districts, the Institute for a Competitive Workforce looks at making school boards more accountable, effective and focused on the needs of students, and at the business community's role in school governance.
Housing as a Platform for Improving Education Outcomes among Low-Income Children
Public efforts have reduced lead exposure and other housing hazards, but many families still struggle with housing instability. We know there is a correlation between stable housing and school success, but how does it work? This Urban Institute research brief outlines four key factors - housing quality, residential stability, housing affordability, and neighborhood location - that could clarify research questions (and answers) to help connect the dots between housing and school outcomes for low-income children.
Common Core Match Standards Linked to Higher Achievement
Dr. William Schmidt's research argues that the K-12 Common Core State Standards for mathematics are needed and, if implemented well, can improve student achievement.
The Nation's Report Card: Science 2011, Grade 8
This latest science learning report card shows some progress in scores and narrowing racial gaps. Note - students whose teachers reported that they performed hands-on projects every day or almost every day scored higher on average than students who performed them less frequently.
Common Core Website
The Education Commission of the States has a new website devoted to issues surrounding the Common Core State Standards. |
| Keeping the American Dream Alive
Economic Mobility of the States
When it comes to the American Dream, where you live makes a difference. Check out your state in this Pew report.
Analyzing data for the Detroit metro area, National Poverty Center researchers find that many families in poverty rely on both private and public help.
Timothy Smeedling, Director of the Institute for Research on Poverty, always seems to hit the bull's eye when it comes to policy. Here he talks about the importance of addressing how factors like the economy, incarceration, and public policy fit together to limit opportunities for young fathers.
Many Losing Unemployment Benefits
Stateline reports that so far this year more than 400,000 people in 27 states that have had their unemployment benefits cut off, due to reductions Congress passed earlier this year.
Kids in one of this city's neediest neighborhoods are getting robust afterschool program because two executives met more than 500 miles from home - and a group of leaders turned that chance meeting into action. Ready by 21 reports. |
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Caitlin Johnson and Thaddeus Ferber
SparkAction and the Forum for Youth Investment
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