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