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The goal of ParentAdvocates.org
is to put tax dollar expenditures and other monies used or spent by our federal, state and/or city governments before your eyes and in your hands.

Through our website, you can learn your rights as a taxpayer and parent as well as to which programs, monies and more you may be entitled...and why you may not be able to exercise these rights.

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Who We Are »
Betsy Combier

Help Us to Continue to Help Others »
Email: betsy.combier@gmail.com

 
The E-Accountability Foundation announces the

'A for Accountability' Award

to those who are willing to whistleblow unjust, misleading, or false actions and claims of the politico-educational complex in order to bring about educational reform in favor of children of all races, intellectual ability and economic status. They ask questions that need to be asked, such as "where is the money?" and "Why does it have to be this way?" and they never give up. These people have withstood adversity and have held those who seem not to believe in honesty, integrity and compassion accountable for their actions. The winners of our "A" work to expose wrong-doing not for themselves, but for others - total strangers - for the "Greater Good"of the community and, by their actions, exemplify courage and self-less passion. They are parent advocates. We salute you.

Winners of the "A":

Johnnie Mae Allen
David Possner
Dee Alpert
Aaron Carr
Harris Lirtzman
Hipolito Colon
Larry Fisher
The Giraffe Project and Giraffe Heroes' Program
Jimmy Kilpatrick and George Scott
Zach Kopplin
Matthew LaClair
Wangari Maathai
Erich Martel
Steve Orel, in memoriam, Interversity, and The World of Opportunity
Marla Ruzicka, in Memoriam
Nancy Swan
Bob Witanek
Peyton Wolcott
[ More Details » ]
 
No Room To Play Update: NYC DOE is Breaking the Law by Not Providing Physical Education Programs

New York City children have no room to exercise. Schools that have gyms throw 50+ children in at a time, to stand around, throw a ball (IF there are any), or do nothing. Stare at people. Many children hate gym time so much that they volunteer to clean the bathrooms rather than go. This is against the law, but the NYC Department of Education is not doing anything about it, City Council is.

Fitness Classes Fall Short in Many Schools, Panel Says
By ASHLEI N. STEVENS, NY TIMES, June 22, 2004

New York City is failing to provide regular physical education classes in many of its elementary, middle and high schools, in violation of state law, according to a report released yesterday by the City Council's Education Committee.

A 2001 survey found that 41 percent of elementary schools and 23 percent of high schools did not provide regular physical education classes, the report says. It also states that 55 percent of elementary schools either have no playgrounds or cannot use them while 62 percent of middle and high schools do not have a weight room.

"I think we're shortchanging kids who have a variety of talents, whether it's in the arts or music or in athletics," said Eva S. Moskowitz, the chairwoman of the committee, who said her panel had worked for the last six months compiling information on the lack of sports and physical education.

Officials agreed that many schools lacked adequate facilities, teachers and programs, though they could not provide exact numbers.

"For years in this system, we've neglected fitness and physical education," said Lester W. Young Jr., senior executive for youth development and school-community services at the Department of Education. "It's taken a back seat to the other curriculums." He said the schools needed more space and facilities, as well as trained staff.

According to the report, the Department of Education has proposed spending an additional $338 million in capital funds for physical education in its five-year plan beginning in 2005, up from the $3.1 million now allotted in the 2000-04 plan.

Ms. Moskowitz said the increase would be a step forward but significantly below the $992 million the City Council estimated that it would take to update facilities in its own 2003 report on the subject.

Ms. Moskowitz's report also recommended reducing the size of physical education classes, which often have as many as 50 students each. It also calls for offering tax breaks to organizations that lend recreational space to the schools.

 
© 2003 The E-Accountability Foundation