A Word About Adult Education and Vocational Education
Something’s been bothering me for a while.
Why aren’t adult school and vocational education teachers treated with more respect by LAUSD? I wish I knew the answer because they are every bit as important as regular school teachers.
Consider the fact that so many of our regular school students live in households where their parents do not speak or understand the English language very well. They are simply not academically proficient enough to help their children with their lessons. Adult school teachers are a critical link in the educational process because when foreign language parents go to adult school and learn English they can then help their children with their homework. When students get help at home they learn better at school. That seems so clear to me and yet I am told by many of my colleagues in adult education that LAUSD simply doesn’t get it.
I have always been a fierce supporter of our contract. When the district started to combine location codes and thereby denying adult satellite branches the right to an elected representative, I worker tirelessly with other UTLA leaders to make it clear to the district that each satellite had the right to vote for a vice-chair. That would allow for on-site representation critical to adult school teachers.
LAUSD, the state and federal governments are perpetrating a horrible hoax upon the public; the travesty of which will have far-reaching consequences in the future. I refer to the fact that vocational education is rapidly disappearing. The idea that every student is academically inclined and will go to college to get a BA or BS is ludicrous beyond all reason. We must revisit this whole issue. Vocational education is critically necessary so that the students who need alternatives to an academic future will have them. And, of course, the people who teach vocational education must be treated with respect by the district because they are essential members of the education family.
As president I will take special care to look into the situation as it now exists with an eye towards upgrading the status of adult school and vocational education teachers throughout this district.