If you stand for whole child education, you can speak out for it, too. Members of the whole child community like you make a difference by advocating to ensure that every child is healthy, safe, engaged in learning, supported by caring adults, and exposed to a challenging curriculum that includes arts, music, and other essential courses. Get started with our advocacy tips. Be sure to check back here frequently for new tools, information, and action steps to make the education of the whole child a reality in our communities' states and country.
As educators, we know firsthand how vital health is to children's academic performance. In 2007, the U.S. Congress voted to reauthorize and extend the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), but the President vetoed the legislation. Congress settled on providing funds to sustain the program's current enrollment through March 31, 2009, but not increase it.
Learn more about making children's health a priority in your community and take action by sending a letter to your federal lawmakers. Tell them not to wait another day to reauthorize and extend this important legislation.
Did you know that every 29 seconds a student drops out of high school? The GRADUATES Act, a bill in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, aims to increase the graduation rate while maintaining high standards for all students.
Learn more about innovative high school redesign and take action by sending a letter to your Senators and Representative asking them to cosponsor this legislation.
Use the search below or click here to see what leaders in your state and community are saying and doing to promote or prevent learning that supports the whole child. You may find some unlikely supporters or some people who need more information.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to advance whole child education is to raise the awareness in your community. When people know about educating the whole child, they support educating the whole child. Raising awareness is easy and we have made it even easier with the Whole Child Resolution Tool Kit. Encouraging your school board and local government to pass a resolution supporting the education of the whole child is a great way to build support and awareness.
"Full Service Community Schools improve the coordination, delivery, effectiveness, and efficiency of services to children and families. They ensure the best use of resources and they help strengthen communities. Full Service Community Schools are a 21st-Century way of educating America's children."
Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-5th MD), sponsor of the Full-Service Community Schools Act
"We want to do everything we can to encourage physical activity and education among our young children, but we don't want to crowd out important other areas like arts, music and those kinds of things."
Governor Brad Henry (D-OK)
In Law to get Oklahoma kids moving in healthy direction, The Oklahoman, May 6, 2008
"Students need a fully rounded education, they need life skills, they need to learn to eat and exercise properly."
State Senator Robert Jackson (D-MS)
In Nutrition Rules, State Legislatures Magazine, May 2008
Click here to see more quotes like these.