In the movie, The Wizard of Oz Dorthy's dog Tota pulls back the curtain on the Great OZ.
" If you were really great and powerful, you'd keep your promises!” cries Dorothy, stamping her foot in outrage saying: "But the man behind the curtain is just a man. There is no other wizard but him." Dorothy offers an inside view of how policymakers, people in power, and our legislators hide behind the curtains of endless failure. There are people in power behind the curtain of America's Public Schools. The cracks and the giant sinkholes of public schools in America are a direct result of their failures to give every child an equal education. In America, the quality of your education depends upon your Zip Code, the Color of your skin color, your economic status, or your immigration status.
Time to return to the tragic story of Young Brave Aleysha Ortiz, the girl who fell into one of our public school's sinkholes.
CNN Dan Freeman asked if this story about high school graduates who can't read is common or uncommon? My answer is yes and no. We would spend the next two hours discussing her tragic story, the broader issues of literacy, and the roles states and the federal government play in helping America's children learn to read. First a look at this courageous young woman who dared to share what most non-readers would never share. She opened up to tell the whole world her story.
The Alisha Ortiz case
"In recordings shared with the CT Mirror, made from March through June of this year, district officials acknowledged that in 12 years, Ortiz never received reading instruction or intervention. The CT Mirror also reviewed Ortiz’s educational records, including her recent IEPs and other documents." The link to the Connecticut Mirror Story:
> https://ctmirror.org/2024/09/29/cant-read-high-school-ct-hartford/ <
I have reviewed her story and examined the details in the press. I find my thoughts thinking Groundhog Day 100 years. I would be remiss in not pointing out that children spend only 13% of their time in school. What about the other 87% of the time? Literacy is not just a school affair; it is a family affair, a community affair, and a national affair. When a child graduates high school unable to read and write, I understand there is plenty of blame to be shared. Who is responsible? Everyone is responsible. However, two groups always get a pass, but in my professional opinion, they are the most responsible. They love to call out others, but never look at themselves. Like Pontius Pilate they are forever washing their hands, claiming innocence. Who are these hand washers? They are the one who hold the purse strings, legislators and policy makers.
Pontius Pilate
Link to time spent in school numbers: > https://www.naesp.org/sites/default/files/resources/2/Principal/2004/S-Op6.pdf <
Behind these public education policy sinkholes
Of course, the Hartford Public Schools failed Ms. Ortiz, according to the story, literacy intervention services were non-existent for a non-reader for 12 years. Yes her school played a role. However, the state of Connecticut played a bigger role. We all played a role in her story.
In Bob Dylan's "Who Killed Davy Moore" song has six "Not I" verses "Who Killed Davy Moore is about a boxer who died in the ring.
- 1. " Not I said, the Referee,
- Not I said, the Angry crowd,
- Not I said, the cigar-puffing manager,
- Not I said, the gambler,
- Not I said, the sports writer,
- Not I said, the man whose fists laid him low."
Not I said, the Connecticut Supreme Court
