In This Issue:

• Civic Participation and the Whole Child
• Real Stories
• Whole Child Supporter: ASCD

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Civic Participation and the Whole Child

Tip O'Neill, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, once said, "All politics is local." No statement could be more true when it comes to educating the whole child. It is not enough to make certain that practices in our schools, homes, and communities ensure each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. We must also advocate for policies that align priorities and resources for the whole child. And, as the 2008 elections approach in the United States, we must ask local, state, and federal candidates to support our cause.

In just the past few weeks, several candidates for president have spoken about the whole child.

• During a campaign event in South Carolina, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) said, "And when you cut out art and music, you're cutting out kids who can thrive and feel good about themselves and learn because that's something they're good in. So I want to teach to the whole child, not teach to the test. And I think there's a way that we can start figuring out how to do that better."
• In the December 3 issue of the New Yorker, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee (R) is quoted as saying, "We have to change and reform the education system so that we're capturing both the left and the right sides of the kid's brain. There ought to be a new focus not just in math and science—which there needs to be—but also a balanced focus on music and art and right-side-of-the-brain activities. Otherwise, we end up with an education system that's like a data download—a great database but no processor."
• And, as we shared with you last week, during a campaign event in New Hampshire, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) said, "Don't tell us that the only way to teach a child is to spend most of the year preparing him to fill in a few bubbles on a standardized test. Don't tell us that these tests have to come at the expense of music or art. We are educating the whole child; we are not educating a child to take a test."

» What do your candidates say? Have you considered your candidates' platforms on education as you prepare to vote? What questions have you asked of your candidates? We urge you to visit your candidates' Web sites and learn more about what they are saying and doing for kids. Write to them to share your gratitude for or concerns about their platform, and ask them the tough questions about their plans to ensure each child in your community is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.

Real Stories

"What is missing is the acknowledgment of the rigor that our students are capable of meeting. Sadly our state test reduces all of the incredible thinking our students are capable of to a series of multiple choice tests. While extended responses are required, the questions are only about comprehension or applications. I would love someone to come in, sit with our kids and hear what they are really capable of."

—Donna M., Casper, WY

"City Academy, a 7th-12th grade charter school in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, was founded on the commitment to provide a vibrant, democratic learning community where each student is personally challenged and supported. At the heart of this effort is the advisory program and the teacher-advisors. Through advisory groups, teachers are able to build trusting relationships that contribute to students' sense of security and their success. As one student put it, "The teachers know me at this school and I learn more." The advisory program also serves a role well beyond helping students feel connected to adults in the school."

—Sonia W., Salt Lake City, UT

» Click here to see the rest of these stories and many more.

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“ASCD proposes a broader definition of achievement and accountability that promotes the development of children who are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.”

ASCD is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that does not endorse candidates for any office.

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