Proposal

Proposition 30 is a very large and controversial topic concerning the upcoming election, especially considering the current financial situation California is in. There is no dispute that California’s educational system is in dire need of attention. Funding for the schools has been severely cut in the last few years and this trend will only continue to increase in this next year’s budget. All Californians are affected by the educational system in some form, and if we don’t act to protect what we have left and rebuild what we’ve lost of the once-great school system, this state will become a tragic failure of what the American Dream promised.

The logical reasoning that I will use in my op-ed in favor of Proposition 30 is that ultimately, the state needs money, especially when considering education. If this proposition doesn’t go through, Kindergarten through 12^th grade and community colleges will lose $5.35 billion in funding. This is a lot more expensive than the quarter cent sales tax raise for four years that is being proposed by the state government. This sales tax raise would amount to paying 1 penny extra on a $4 hamburger. The numbers speak for themselves.

The reader effect would hopefully be to see the difference between the numbers and understand that this proposition really is affordable and will hardly affect anyone financially in terms of what good it will be doing for the educational system.

My next strategy will be to explain that I am a full time student at Cabrillo College which is one of California’s many community colleges that is supported mainly on state funding. I have been attending Cabrillo since Fall of 2010, and although I have not fully experienced the rise of tuition in its full extent, I have experienced the tuition rising from $26 per unit when I first started to $46 per unit in Fall 2012. I chose to come to a community college in the first place because of the affordability and accessibility. This is becoming less and less true today.

I hope the reader effect for this section will be to understand that I am experiencing California’s degrading educational system first-hand. I know how detrimental it is because I live it every day that I go to school. I want the reader to see that I am credible on this subject.

The final strategy will be to explain that I do understand why someone would disagree with Proposition 30. I understand that the current condition the state government is in is not exactly the most trustworthy and honest cause to support with taxpayer’s money. I understand that taxes are annoying or even scary. I understand that the proposition wasn’t exactly written in a manner that explicitly states where the taxpayer’s money will go. I understand all the oppositions to this proposition, but I also understand that this is California’s only hope when it comes to the educational system. If this proposition fails, there will be a series of “trigger cuts” made to the state’s budget. With these “trigger cuts”, schools will be the most affected by far, but so many other areas of funding will be removed as well, like police, fire, the UC and CSU systems, and so much more.

I would like to see the reader effect for this section be a real understanding for both the pros and cons of this proposition as well as the dire state California is in and how much worse it is about to get if Prop 30 does not pass. 

Annotated Bibliography

York, Anthony. "Gov. Jerry Brown Formally Kicks off Prop. 30 Tax Hike Campaign." Los Angeles
          Times. Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012   

          <http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/16/local/la-me-brown-taxes-20120816>.

This article on Proposition 30 was published by the Los Angeles Times On August 16, 2012 and written by Anthony York, whom often reports on Governor Jerry Brown. It was written after the Governor kicked off the campaign to promote Proposition 30 and aims to be very upfront and honest about the new proposition. Although this article states a lot of facts about the proposition such as the quarter of a cent sales tax increase and how it will raise income tax for those who make $250,000+ per year, it also has a subtle bias against the proposition. It does so by adding quotes that explain why one should be skeptical of the proposition and advertise another proposition, Proposition 38, and why it would be better for schools. The article explains that so far, the state government doesn’t have the best track record of using tax payers’ dollars responsibly and also that the proposition was written in such a way that the money generated is not strictly promised for schools.

Freeman, Bill. "Prop. 30 Invests In Education, Economy." U-T San Diego. The San Diego 

          Union-Tribune, 23 Sept. 2012 Web. 23 Sept. 2012

          <http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/23/tp-prop-30-invests-in-education-economy/>.

This article on Proposition 30 was published by The San Diego Union-Tribune on September 23, 2012 and written by Bill Freeman, a third grade teacher and the president of the San Diego Education Association. This article is an op-ed piece, spending a lot of time using pathos to emotionally draw the reader to vote YES on Proposition 30; and support the once great, but now dying, California school system. This article spends less time explaining what the proposition actually is and what it does explain, it uses specifically to back up the supportive point of view. It does take advantage of surprising facts and statistics, furthering the author’s point. The author spends most of his time explaining some of California’s schooling history as well as, from a teacher’s stand point, how this proposition is a step in the right direction towards returning California’s schools back to what they were in the glory days. Overall, the author is very persuasive in causing the reader to want to see this proposition succeed.

"Vote Yes on Prop. 30, No on Prop. 38." SFGate. San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Sept. 2012. Web. 23
          Sept. 2012. <http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Vote-yes-on-Prop-30-no-on-Prop- 

          38-3888244.php>.

This article was published by the San Francisco Chronicle on September 23, 2012. Its main purpose it to compare Proposition 30 and 38, the two propositions created to combat the state’s budget deficit, especially regarding the upcoming budget cuts to California’s school system. The article explains that even though both propositions have many shortcomings, ultimately it votes in favor of Prop 30 and against Prop 38. It breaks down both propositions very clearly, showing both the benefits and faults in a very transparent and unbiased way for each proposition, showing that the most logical and practical choice for today’s educational system would be Prop 30. Prop 30 is less aggressive, as well as promises money to all school systems in California whereas Prop 38 will cause very drastic, across-the-board, taxes, and only promises money to preschool and K-12, completely ignoring public colleges and universities. Finally, the article explains that voters can choose to vote NO on both propositions and face extreme cut backs everywhere, especially in schools.

RR #1 Gatto

The article “Against School” was written by John Taylor Gatto and originally appeared in Harper’s magazine in 2003. This article attacks the modern day definition of schooling and explains that it is more an asylum used to suppress people into become robots rather than really nurturing a student’s physical, psychological, and social needs. Gatto is a former schoolteacher and is a strong advocate for education, but he strongly believes that our form of schooling today does not educate. He continues to explain that school purposefully does not allow children to mature so that the government will have a large group of well-behaved, children, consumer, citizens to take care of rather than a large group of matured adults that could possibly cause issues by not allowing the government full control over their lives. Gatto debates against the Prussian educational system that America so fondly adopted in the 1800’s, which is explained in Horace Mann’s article “Report of the Massachusetts Board of Education” (p. 116). The author is not all about negatives though; he goes on to explain that the solution is to invest in flourishing and maturing our children’s minds and give them the opportunity to develop themselves.

According to Gatto and prior to him, Alexander Inglis, the six unstated but actual principles of schooling are quite shocking. The first purpose is the “adjustive or adaptive function” which explains that schools must “establish fixed habits of reaction to authority.” (p. 152) The next principle is the “integrating function” making children as alike as possible (p.153). The third function is the “diagnostic and directive function”, used to determine a student’s “proper social role”. The fourth purpose is the “differentiating function” taking the student’s social role and educating them to the point necessary for their niche. The fifth principle is the “selective function” relates to Darwin’s theory of natural selection, or as Gatto explains its purpose is to: “wash the dirt down the drain.” The final function is the “propaedeutic function” which explains that there is a small population of children that will quietly be informed of these actual functions of education and taught how to maintain the balance so that the government and corporations can continue unchallenged. According to my own experience, I definitely experienced these unstated functions of schooling. I’ve always done really well in school, ever since I was young. Because of this, I noticed some of my teachers, especially elementary school teachers, giving me special attention and I was put into a lot of programs for gifted students. These teachers really invested in my education and challenged me to grow and flourish even though my home life was nowhere close to easy or supportive of an education. On the other hand, I realized early on that there were other teachers that did attempt to hold me back with all the other students. I met this adversity mostly in high school, but I always combatted this by playing into their mind games at school and then educating myself at home. I was homeschooled through middle school, so I understood how my brain worked and took advantage of the lack of homework my teachers were giving me by teaching myself things that actually interested me. My schooling history is very unique which produced an education that was very unique compared to that of my classmates. I don’t believe I fit into the generalized category Gatto explains in this article, but I do understand and believe that his claims are very true to today’s society. 

Week One

Option #1: From what I’ve gathered, Para Teresa was written in both English and Spanish for a few different reasons. One of the reasons was to expand further on the speaker and her background. The speaker used this change in languages as an expression of the culture she belonged to. She is both Hispanic and American. In her world she used both languages frequently. She used English more than she used Spanish signifying that although Spanish is part of herself and her heritage, her future and the majority of her life revolves around English. This could even be exemplified in her life; although she has a Hispanic background, America is becoming the forefront and basis of her life. It is an innate part of who she is. Another reason would be explained by understanding that she used Spanish specifically when she was addressing Teresa. This, in a way, shows Teresa a great amount of respect. Teresa rebelled against schooling, the system, and America in general. She wanted to stay true to her roots. The speaker understood that and spoke or referred to Teresa in Spanish as a sign of respect for Teresa’s choice to remain loyal. It shows that all along the speaker never meant any harm by Teresa, and although they are choosing different lifestyles, they still are united by their past and the culture they belong to. The speaker shows a great amount of respect for the Hispanic culture she originated from. This is seen by her use of Spanish when referring to her family, specifically her grandparents. She is not ashamed of her family or heritage when using their native language to describe them. The next reason would be that of simple language barriers. In this particular situation, the Spanish language explains the situation so much clearer. English would not have done the scenes justice. Not only that, but Spanish gives such a deeper understanding of both the circumstances and the overall theme itself. The poem would not exist without this obvious battle between cultures, heritages, and languages. The author uses the switch between languages as a literary technique to expand on these differences.  Teresa and the speaker would have never had a conflict if they both only knew English and grew up in the American culture with American heritage. Overall, the use of both Spanish and English in this poem is extremely important and the poem would not have been as effective if it was written in only one language.  

Option #6: The article I found on Proposition 30 was published by the Los Angeles Times On August 16, 2012. This article was written after Governor Jerry Brown kicked off the campaign to promote the proposition. Although this article states a lot of facts about the proposition such as the quarter of a cent sales tax increase and how it will raise income tax for those who make $250,000+ per year, it also has a subtle bias against the proposition. It does so by adding quotes that explain why one should be skeptical of the proposition and advertise another proposition, Proposition 38, and why it would be better for schools. The article explains that so far, the state government doesn’t have the best track record of keeping track of tax payers’ dollars and also that the proposition was written in such a way that the money generated is not strictly promised for schools.

Link to article: http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/16/local/la-me-brown-taxes-20120816

I am...

I am Melissa Gabrielle Sawyer. I am a student at Cabrillo College. I am a Biology major with concentration in Marine Biology. I am a surfer, tide pool explorer, sun tanner (more like burn, but I try), and overall ocean lover.  I am a cashier for Sun Shops Inc. I am a Libra. I am a resident of Santa Cruz County and have been since birth. I am 19 years young. I am shy, nerdy, and introverted. I am a Christian. I am an adventurer, an explorer, a traveler, a curious and open mind. I am indecisive. I am a photographer, but I still have a lot to learn. I am passionate. I am a baker, and would love to go to culinary school in France at one point in my life. I am a dreamer, and my dreams are huge, but not impossible or illogical. I am a thinker. I am a sweet tooth; I love candy way too much for my own good. I am extremely organized, punctual, and what one would call smart (I, on the other hand, just consider myself good at school). I am an optimal realist. I am learning every day, and I know I have much more to learn. I am an “old soul”. I am physically active and a lot of that comes from surfing, yoga, and Crossfit. I am a friend to many. I am a sister to three. I am a daughter to a divorced couple and stepmom, whom my dad is remarried to. I am a tea drinker, book reader, and snuggler. I am a listener. I am not a fan of coffee or chocolate, because of this I am “unique” (most people prefer to use the word “weird”). Overall, I am me, and I love it.