Students Have A Voice

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Last week, there were four Townhalls about the new Regional Consortia system for Adult Education in California.  The government group AB86 wanted to know people's needs and ideas and worries about the new system.  The Townhalls were in Los Angeles, Central California, Northern California, and the Bay Area. 

A group of San Mateo Adult School staff and students went to the Bay Area Townhall.   The SMAS students were ESL Morning Student Council President Marco, last year's ESL Morning Student Council President Hitomi, and Student Advocate Marina.  SMAS staff members were Director "Mr T" Teshara, Assistant Director Tim Doyle, Teacher Bruce, Teacher Patrica, Teacher Cynthia (me), and Fifty Plus Coordinator and Teacher Jeri.   Marina presented the AB86 panel with the results from the SMAS Student Survey.

There were only a few students at the Townhall and the San Mateo Adult School students were the only ESL students there.

This made a strong impression on Marco, Hitomi, and Marina, and myself.  I think it made a strong impression on others, too.

Marco shares his thoughts about the day:

l have to tell you that after the meeting, I had more questions than answers.  But the next day, l had to find the best way  to report that to my class.  So l came up with the idea of comparing what the consortia is trying to do with Adult School.  It is like when someone tries to organize a birthday party for a friend without even asking  what kind of cake or things this birthday person may need or want.  I guess  what  the Consortia or whoever  is making or will be doing decisions about adult education, they have to know that we have a voice and we will continue  making noise until they listen to our demands.   And  l hope it will be changes to be positive.  This is what I think.

 

Marco, SMAS ESL Morning ESL Student Council President



 

 

Thank you to Marco for sharing this wisdom.

Thank you to Hitomi and Marina for also going to the Townhall.

Thank you to the wonderful, active students of San Mateo Adult School for everything you are doing to bring the message that Adult Education matters to the people of California.

And to all Adult Education students everywhere, please listen to Marco and know it is true:

You have a voice. 

Please use it.

It matters.