Comments on: Citizens Weigh in on Cecil County Budget; Urge School, Ambulance Funds

By: Just a chimp

Just a chimp — Thu, 31 May 2012 18:37:20 +0000

Yo Just for the Record,

First, my bad. On my first post I did not specify STATE constitution. I believe I clarified that by my recent post citing the CONSTITUTION OF MARYLAND, ARTICLE VIII, EDUCATION. I don’t think that was ambiguous. The federal government only mandates (and minimally funds) certain requirements by such acts of congress as; The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). ESEA was passed in 1965 and was most recently reauthorized in 2002 as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Since federal funding for these mandates is minimal, the responsibility to fully/adequately fund K-12 education lies with the states. Thus, the Constitution of Maryland guarantees a free and appropriate education to all children [in Maryland]. “Free” meaning provided by public funds.

Second, I never said public education was a RIGHT. Now you say education is a PRIVILEGE.

priv·i·lege [priv-uh-lij, priv-lij] Show IPA noun, verb, priv·i·leged, priv·i·leg·ing.
noun
1. a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantages of most: the privileges of the very rich.
2. a special right, immunity, or exemption granted to persons in authority or office to free them from certain obligations or liabilities: the privilege of a senator to speak in Congress without danger of a libel suit.
3. a grant to an individual, corporation, etc., of a special right or immunity, under certain conditions.
4. the principle or condition of enjoying special rights or immunities.
5. any of the rights common to all citizens under a modern constitutional government: We enjoy the privileges of a free people.

Help me understand your position regarding privilege.

By: Just for the Record

Just for the Record — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:03:39 +0000

Yo Chump,
If you are going to quote the Constitution, please be specific. The Constitution of the United States of America does not consider it a ‘Right’.
Your quote is from the Maryland Constitution.
Far too many people leave little things ambiguous as a means to fool the public. The Maryland Constitution, also, does not consider it a right.
It is a privilege. Now if we could just get students and parents to look at it that way.

By: Just a Chimp

Just a Chimp — Tue, 29 May 2012 11:11:07 +0000

Education is guaranteed by the Constitution, stating [the state] “shall by Law establish throughout the State a thorough and efficient System of Free Public Schools; and shall provide by taxation, or otherwise, for their maintenance.”

The ruling Mr. Reasin refers to is about equity in funding by the state to all MD school districts.

Free Appropriate Public Education, better known as FAPE, is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and IDEA.

CONSTITUTION OF MARYLAND, ARTICLE VIII, EDUCATION.

SECTION 1. The General Assembly, at its First Session after the adoption of this Constitution, shall by Law establish throughout the State a thorough and efficient System of Free Public Schools; and shall provide by taxation, or otherwise, for their maintenance.

SEC. 2. The System of Public Schools, as now constituted, shall remain in force until the end of the said First Session of the General Assembly, and shall then expire; except so far as adopted, or continued by the General Assembly.

SEC. 3. The School Fund of the State shall be kept inviolate, and appropriated only to the purposes of Education.