| Comment Number: | OL-10510760 |
| Received: | 3/16/2005 11:50:45 AM |
| Subject: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment |
| Title: | National Security Personnel System |
| CFR Citation: | 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I have been an educator in the DODDS School system well over twenty years. I have also taught in public schools in the United States. It is well known and documented by a study done through Vanderbilt University that DODDS is a top rated system. In fact, the study was done to see what we are doing that is so successful with all children. The success rate among minority children in DODDS is particularly noted. It is incomprehensible to me that the reward for doing an outstanding job in educating the children of the military and civilian employees is to take away our right to due process. I believe in a balance of power. I also believe in the value of an educated population. I have dedicated over 30 years, both in the DODDS system and in public school systems in the United States, to educating children. I love what I do and feel that my service is valued by my students, parents, and administrators. It is very sad to me that it is not valued by the government I have served over the years. This disrespect of educators is a very sad commentary on the priorities of this administration. The rhetoric of support and the action of taking away rights under the law are not a match. If we are truly to be the model of democracy, surely we should value the rights of our citizens. I do believe that as teachers, "We touch the future"! However, the latest statistics show that the average amount of time new teachers stay in education is five years. Devaluing educators will certainly not help this situation! If we are to be effective at teaching critical thinking and problem solving, how can we then allow our rights to be dismantled? How could a government of the people, for the people, and by the people even consider such an undemocratic proposal? I am disheartened by and fearful of being managed by such a system! I urge you to consider the role we play in society as educators. If we are to teach about democratic values, it only makes sense that we should be employed by a democratic system. As a democratic role model, our government must cast the mote from its own eye before casting out that of our brothers. The right to due process should be a given in a free society!