Coalition Against Militarism in Our Schools
Encyclopedia
The Coalition Against Militarism In Our Schools (CAMS), now called the Coalition For Alternatives to Militarism in Our Schools) is a non-profit group of educators, students, parents and community activists working against increased militarism
in America's public schools, formed in 2004 by some 50 of the 45,473 teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District
, California
. It serves as a clearinghouse for information on militarism
and the effects of military on youth, student and parent activism, and is compiling a web library of peace and justice lesson plans. As of 2007, the group was in 50 schools in the Los Angeles
area, providing member teachers with literature, speakers, films and books.
(JROTC) instructors, as well as credentialing issues, and of having students forced into JROTC due to lack of space in Physical Education classes have been noted in Los Angeles Unified Public Schools. The group claims 2006 showed a reduction in JROTC enrollment in Los Angeles, with a drop of one-third or approximately 1,500 students, suggesting part of the explanation is efforts to stop the involuntary enrollment of students into JROTC. At Roosevelt High School
in the Boyle Heights section of Los Angeles, a local campaign against JROTC cut the number of cadets 43 percent in four years, with a JROTC instructor reporting a 24 percent drop in enrollment from 2003-04 to 2006-07 for the rest of the Los Angeles Unified School District
.
CAMS has worked on issues involving involuntary placement of high school students in JROTC programs in Los Angeles Unified School District, student privacy issues involving military recruiters, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
testing, limiting military apparatus on public school campuses, and fostering student run peace clubs.
In November 2005, ACLU of Southern California
stated that they were providing assistance to CAMS to determine the scope of military recruiting efforts on public school campuses by filing a Freedom of Information Act request to all branches of the military.
CAMS is also working to eliminate Section 9528 from the federal No Child Left Behind Act. This section allows military recruiters to visit public schools and funnels student information to military recruiters.
.
CAMS is currently at work on a non-military job training and placement directory for youth called Project Great Futures.
CAMS was awarded the Season of Nonviolence LA Award presented by Agape International Spiritual Center
in 2005, the California Teachers Association
Human Rights Award in 2006, and the Office of the Americas
Lotie Wexlar Peace and Justice Award in 2006.
Militarism
Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests....
in America's public schools, formed in 2004 by some 50 of the 45,473 teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest public school system in California. It is the 2nd largest public school district in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It serves as a clearinghouse for information on militarism
Militarism
Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests....
and the effects of military on youth, student and parent activism, and is compiling a web library of peace and justice lesson plans. As of 2007, the group was in 50 schools in the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
area, providing member teachers with literature, speakers, films and books.
Goals and activities
Their mission is to "inform and educate the public, especially students, parents and school personnel about the growing militarization of our schools, and to create and present positive nonviolent alternatives which promote the value of human life, justice and equity for all persons."Eliminate JROTC
Regarding JROTC, Coalition aims "to eliminate the Junior Reserves Officer Training Corp [sic] in our High Schools and the California Cadets in our Middle Schools, along with the school community." They have reported cases of abuse by Junior Reserve Officers' Training CorpsJunior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a Federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools across the United States...
(JROTC) instructors, as well as credentialing issues, and of having students forced into JROTC due to lack of space in Physical Education classes have been noted in Los Angeles Unified Public Schools. The group claims 2006 showed a reduction in JROTC enrollment in Los Angeles, with a drop of one-third or approximately 1,500 students, suggesting part of the explanation is efforts to stop the involuntary enrollment of students into JROTC. At Roosevelt High School
Theodore Roosevelt High School (Los Angeles)
See also Roosevelt High School for schools of the same nameTheodore Roosevelt High School is a high school located in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles, California named for the 26th president of the United States....
in the Boyle Heights section of Los Angeles, a local campaign against JROTC cut the number of cadets 43 percent in four years, with a JROTC instructor reporting a 24 percent drop in enrollment from 2003-04 to 2006-07 for the rest of the Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest public school system in California. It is the 2nd largest public school district in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population...
.
CAMS has worked on issues involving involuntary placement of high school students in JROTC programs in Los Angeles Unified School District, student privacy issues involving military recruiters, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States armed forces...
testing, limiting military apparatus on public school campuses, and fostering student run peace clubs.
Limit military recruitment in schools
CAMS works with the local school district to ensure that the district follows its own guidelines when dealing with military recruiters. Their efforts includes attempting to limit recruiter access to students during school hours, including changing policies that once allowed recruiters to regularly pull students out of class take to them for lunches.In November 2005, ACLU of Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
stated that they were providing assistance to CAMS to determine the scope of military recruiting efforts on public school campuses by filing a Freedom of Information Act request to all branches of the military.
CAMS is also working to eliminate Section 9528 from the federal No Child Left Behind Act. This section allows military recruiters to visit public schools and funnels student information to military recruiters.
Other
CAMS works closely with the teachers union United Teachers Los AngelesUnited Teachers Los Angeles
United Teachers Los Angeles is the main representative of certified, non-administrative staff in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Prior to 1970, primary and secondary school teachers in Los Angeles were chiefly represented by a local of the American Federation of Teachers and the...
.
CAMS is currently at work on a non-military job training and placement directory for youth called Project Great Futures.
CAMS was awarded the Season of Nonviolence LA Award presented by Agape International Spiritual Center
Agape International Spiritual Center
Agape International Spiritual Center is a transdenominational congregation in Culver City, California. Founded in 1986 by Michael Bernard Beckwith, it currently has approximately 9,000 members who follow its New Thought spirituality. Beckwith leads the congregation along with his wife, Ricki...
in 2005, the California Teachers Association
California Teachers Association
The California Teachers Association , initially established in 1863 as the California Educational Society, is by far the largest teachers' union in the state of California. It is considered by many to be the most powerful union in California...
Human Rights Award in 2006, and the Office of the Americas
Office of the Americas
The Office of the Americas is a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, California and founded in April, 1983 by Theresa Bonpane, who along with her husband Blase Bonpane, continue as the Director and Founding Director, respectively, of the organization....
Lotie Wexlar Peace and Justice Award in 2006.