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