From Andy Cody:  To join in on the discussion locate Andy Cody on FaceBook:  Teachers' Letters to Obama

There continue to be strong indications that our voices are being heard and there is genuine power in our movement. We are now 946 strong, and that is a HUGE number when we actually mobilize to act together. And that is the reason we joined this group, right? So we can act and have our actions make a difference.

We have a big opportunity to have an impact this week. First of all, the Congressional Education and Labor Committee, chaired by George Miller, is beginning the process of rewriting No Child Left Behind. Committee members released a statement that said:

“Today, we’re announcing a bipartisan, open and transparent effort to rewrite No Child Left Behind – a law that we all agree is in need of major reform. It will start with a series of hearings in the coming weeks to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead as we work to ensure an excellent education is available to every student in America. With a real commitment to innovation, we invite all stakeholders who share our serious interest in building a world-class education system to email us their suggestions.”

Follow up:

“The committee’s first hearing will focus on charter schools and will be held on February 24, 2010.”

“Beginning today, groups and stakeholders can send the committee their input and suggestions at eseacomments@mail.house.gov. The deadline for comments is March 26, 2010.”

We have written more than 100 thoughtful letters to Obama and Duncan, and through our discussion forum we have scores of additional posts that offer critical analyses and positive solutions to the challenges we face in education. This committee MUST receive these messages.

I pose a challenge to each member of this group. A new thread has been set up in the Discussion section. Send a message to the House Committee at the address above. Post a copy of that message on the new thread. We have over 900 members. If we can send even 500 messages with the high quality thinking our group has shown it is capable of, we will have a real impact on this debate.

Go back and find what you have written in previous letters and posts – quote yourself. Quote somebody else if you agree with them. Tell your own story. Speak out loud and clear about what we want changed in this law. Be critical, be positive, offer solutions that you know will work based on your experience in our schools. There are powerful, well-financed organizations working for merit pay, for more tests, and for the continuation of many destructive elements of NCLB. This is OUR CHANCE to have our say. Please give this group the power to make a difference by taking a stand yourself.