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