I am Autistic and high functioning, thriving in accelerated classes and consistently earning A’s. However, the recent decision to join the NSBLC jeopardizes my hard-won achievements and threatens my ability to graduate. Not only does this impact my future, but it also harms many of my friends and classmates, particularly those who are LGBTQ+ or have disabilities. They risk being marginalized by a system that should celebrate diversity and inclusion.

The community in Grove City Ohio stands at a critical crossroads with the decision to join the National Standards Based Learning Consortium (NSBLC). And it is incredibly important for staff, students, and parents in the district to fight against this decision. While educational reforms can bring growth, this particular initiative threatens to severely hinder the rights and progress of our students. It would stifle creativity, silence the voices of multilingual and multiethnic students, and segregate those with mental and physical disabilities, even when they have thrived in general education settings.

Segregating students disrupts the inclusive environment we’ve worked so hard to build in our schools. Multilingual and multicultural education enriches our community, offering invaluable perspectives that prepare our students for a globalized world. Likewise, students with disabilities who have demonstrated capability in regular classes deserve equal access to education, not separation based on their abilities.

Reforming our educational framework should not mean backtracking on decades of progress. The decision to join NSBLC risks unraveling the inclusive policies that support diverse learning environments and offer equal opportunities for all students to succeed.

Please join me in opposing SWCSD’s decision to join NSBLC. Sign this petition to protect the rights of our students and ensure an equitable and inclusive educational future for everyone in our community.

I recognize this is extremely important and encourage everyone to read up on it.

here you can find the organization’s website:

https://nationalschoolboardleadershipcouncil.com/ 

And this is one way to look at contacting the district:

https://www.swcsd.us/ContactUs.aspx

Any support is welcome, contact the host of this petition through this email:

staffandstudentsrights@gmail.com

Please help us ensure our schools are a welcoming environment to all and free of any discrimination.