| Orange County Schools in California released | | | | with friends and family, getting exercise, |
| state tests scores with the announcement that | | | | fully attending to homework, or using their |
| scores had risen for the fifth straight year | | | | brains. When children watch television they: |
| in a row. That means that 52% of students | | | | get inappropriate messages from shows and |
| tested for English in grades 2-11 passed with | | | | commercials, get into a habit of inactivity, |
| a grade of proficient or above. 51% in math. | | | | eat more junk food, and tend to become |
| Did you read that correctly? 52% and 51% | | | | grumpier and fussier. All of these factors |
| passing means progress to the Orange County | | | | are seen in poor test scores and behavior in |
| Schools. If you're a parent with children in | | | | the Orange County Schools. How Less |
| the Orange County Public Schools this should | | | | Television Can Help the Orange County Schools |
| concern your greatly! The scary thing is that | | | | Now I know that Governor Schwarzenegger isn't |
| statewide percentages are at 43% and 41%. | | | | about to pass any initiatives to help me |
| California Schools are currently failing our | | | | rally Orange County Schools families to watch |
| children. So what's a parent to do? Funding | | | | less television. In fact, you as the parent |
| is an issue. Teaching the state's huge | | | | are the only person who can really make this |
| immigrant population is an issue. The needs | | | | significant change for your family. But why |
| of special needs students are an issue. And | | | | would you want to do this? Are you busy? |
| no one has a really great answer. But as a | | | | Really, really tired? Most Orange County |
| parent, there is something that you can do. | | | | Schools parents feel overwhelmed and |
| It's a drastic measure that could impact the | | | | exhausted at the end of the day. Television |
| entire population of the Orange County | | | | can be a relaxing escape. But think for a |
| Schools. But it's not an easy fix. In fact, a | | | | moment about how busy your family is already |
| lot of the Orange County Schools' families | | | | with homework, dinner, and activities at the |
| will have serious pains from making this | | | | end of the day. What if TV was no longer a |
| move. But it's that important. Parents of | | | | factor? How would your family spend that |
| Orange County Schools- I challenge you to | | | | time? Would Orange County Schools' children |
| turn off your television during the school | | | | get to bed earlier and get more sleep if they |
| week. Withdrawal Pains in the Orange County | | | | weren't up so late watching television? Would |
| Schools For the small percentage of you who | | | | you have to time to read to them more? Take a |
| are still reading, don't throw the remote at | | | | walk together? Play a card game? If you |
| your screen quite yet. I know what I'm | | | | really want to see an improvement in the |
| suggesting is a scary lifestyle change that a | | | | Orange County Schools, I dare you to try this |
| lot of Orange County Schools won't ever | | | | with your family for one month. No television |
| consider. But for the academic and future | | | | on school days. Aren't your children worth |
| success of your children, hear me out. | | | | it? |
| Television drains energy. It doesn't matter | | | | |
| if your Orange County Schools students are | | | | Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools |
| seniors or kindergarteners. When they're | | | | K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all |
| watching television they're not: interacting | | | | U.S. public and private K-12 schools. |