Posted: Wed, May. 05, 2004
THERE WAS a neat little government lesson going on at Acalanes High School last month, but it wasn't taking place on the school grounds. It was happening in Sacramento, in the hallowed halls of the state legislature, where an Acalanes teacher and 10 students were testifying for legislation that they helped sponsor.
Assembly Bill 1944 may not look controversial, but its impact will be felt in high schools across the state -- especially on Nov. 2, Election day.
The bill, crafted by Acalanes government students, would amend the state education code so that students who miss school to work at the polls on election day would not be counted absent -- and therefore cost schools about $40 a day in lost ADA (Average Daily Attendance) funds.
The bill seems like a no-brainer, and it is unfortunate that similar legislation wasn't passed long before now. Certainly, with the current financial crisis hitting state public schools, every effort should be made by schools to secure ADA funds, and schools who condone these types of absences shouldn't be penalized.
But the fact that the legislation started with the students -- with the help of Assemblywoman Loni Hancock and Acalanes government teacher Larry Freeman -- is a wake up call to all of us that we need to be aware of how our government works.
Once we are out of those required government classes -- and polished off college political science courses -- many of us leave our government alone. Certainly there are the few souls who brave public office, or those who act as citizen watchdogs, but the majority of us leave government to the professionals.
But we have forgotten the one thing that we should have taken with us from government class: The fact that it is for the people, by the people.
It took a dedicated group of high schoolers to open our eyes that we can all be a part of government -- and in fact, should be a part of government. These Acalanes students not only paid attention to the complicated issue of school funding, but the importance of poll working as well. Certainly, if a school was losing ADA funds, it might not be as accommodating when granting students who work at polls excused absences. Now, if AB 1944 passes, schools might even be more encouraging of students who take a day to work the polls.
Congratulations to Freeman, Acalanes, and the students who put the bill together -- you aced this civics lesson.