Key Takeaways
- On July 27, Mississippi Association of Educators launched a community campaign on the issue of Jackson's safe water crisis. We did this in partnership with the Jackson Association of Educators because thousands of Capital City students, educators, their families, and community members lack consistent, safe water access in their schools and homes. These stakeholders are being adversely affected by the ongoing crisis and the impact will result in educational, health, and economic life-long struggles if we do not act now.
- We believe officials who hold the power to correct this issue should work together to fix the dangerous threats within Jackson's water, and it is our intention to help them prioritize the effort for the benefit of our students, educators, and community members.
- If your local has an issue that MAE can help you organize to solve, please email us at [email protected].
WHY DID A TEACHERS UNION TAKE ON THIS ISSUE?
Below, we offer our thinking on why we feel this issue is an education issue, and, therefore, an MAE issue.
Clean water is a human right.
We believe the citizens of Jackson are being denied a basic human right that influences health, quality of life, and economic opportunity.
A water crisis is an education crisis.
Jackson students cannot perform at their highest achievement levels when they are victims of limited water access and unsafe water.
Jackson water is currently not safe.
Jackson water has been found to contain lead and copper. Even low levels of lead in the blood can cause developmental delays, difficulty learning, behavioral issues and permanent, disabling neurological damage.
Access to water is inconsistent.
Infrastructure issues resulting in no water, low water pressure, and water boil notices continue to impact the access of water for students, educators, community members, and businesses.
Consistency is a hallmark of successful education.
The learning experience of Jackson students at every level is being disrupted without notice and with lasting harm due to lack of water, low water pressure, and dependence on bottled water.
Schools should be safe, calm spaces for students, educators, and staff.
The disorder, interruption, and confusion that ensues with an unexpected water failure creates anxiety that is eventually associated with learning loss, mental trauma, and exacerbation of other socioeconomic challenges.
Students are still expected to perform well, water or no water.
Jackson students are expected to perform well on state testing despite these consistency and health challenges caused by Jackson’s unreliable, unsafe water system.
Water issues tilt the scale against Jackson teachers, students.
Both students and educators are evaluated and held accountable to state standards despite the hardships imposed by the Jackson water crisis.
A water crisis creates family economic crises.
In addition to the ongoing cost of bottled water, when schools close unexpectedly, parents are faced with the choice of either staying at home, thereby sacrificing income, or hiring someone to stay with their children who cannot attend school.
IF YOUR LOCAL HAS AN ISSUE THAT MAE COULD ASSIST YOU TO SOLVE, PLEASE EMAIL US AT [email protected].
