Elections Matters Reflection # 2- Nicole Gil

 Elections Matter Project Reflection

When it came to our class and representing the importance in voting in this year's election everyone made a group effort to promote change. On October 29,2024 we presented in front of the steps of Miami Dade College Hialeah Campus the importance it is to vote and to get your voice heard. In this project each group had a specific topic crucial to the election which were crucial issues in our country. The ones we presented were Gender Equality, Education Policies, Immigration and the Election Process by us researching and teaching others about these topics were making people think of their decision on who to vote. Our professor Sherri thought us that if you don't vote, you have no complaining rights she gave us these topics and trusted us to present them in front of all the students of our campus. This helped many of us overcome our anxiety and present in front of an audience.

I loved my role as a project manager because I got to connect and help my group complete their presentation even if people had issues we overcame them. When you communicate with other anything can be accomplished that's why we hope our presentations helped many people feel motivated to vote.]

Group 4 Education Policies

 

As a group they have grown a lot me as their project manager I feel like they have grown to better speakers since their first presentation. They engage more and show their personalities way more. We spoke as a group about Education Policies and how they are affected when you vote for a specific party. We started by speaking about two acts that influence voters' behavior No Child Left Behind Act which mandated standardized testing, and Every Students Succeeds Act which allowed the states to have more flexibility to design their own accountability systems for students' performance. We spoke of this to show some acts in place when it comes to education Some issues that are impacting the 2024 election are school funding and student loans both of these topics could effect us as students Because if there is no way to fund or get student loans many students wont be able to attend school or will be in debt paying for school. Presidents Biden’s education policies one was he was pushing for broad student debt forgiveness he was trying to forgive over 20,000 in federal student debt. Also, he supported doubling the maximum Pell Grant for lower income students as democratic president he sought out to help students not punish them for wanting to get an education. 

Then we spoke about National versus local organizations and there roles such as National has to do with broader standards dealing with education on a larger scale.Local deals with community needs and each local school has its local organizations.Some local organizations are the Florida Education Association also Florida School Boards Association naming some.In the National level we named organizations that it’s not only Florida but the nation as a whole. When it comes to America and world perspectives those are very different things one of my never a gave good information explaining in video their diffrences. One point was voter turnout how when  voter turnout is high, democracies work better showing the different percentage of votes around the world when it comes to voting and us the United States we have a 62% voting turnout compared to a place like Belgium who has a 72% turnout.

When it comes to voting it’s important that everyone votes to get their voice heard.Education is something not a lot of people have access to in the U.S. during the pandemic 10% of students lacked adequate technology for remote learning but in other places like Finland and Germany they launched similar initiatives to provide devices to all students.Technology is growing fast and getting more involved in the education system but two sides have different opinions of technology.Conservatives believe that restricting technology in secondary schools such as banning smart phones is something that needs to be implemented.Liberals advocate for embracing technology because of the many benefits of the integration of AI in higher education.So it’s up to you to decide what world you prefer living in because technology keeps advancing and growing globally.

Education is an important topic we spoke about because there are voters from all ages from new voters who are 18 to much older ones who are effected by the outcomes of the election.A group who are crucial to are learning are teachers and many are not being treated fairly the funding teachers get is not enough in other parts of the world teachers are treated with respect and more rights.I believe teachers do so much for us and aren’t treated as they should be.That’s why when picking the right party to vote for we gave evidence and facts about both sides Democratic and Republican.Starting with Democratic when it has to deal with education Democrats believe that all children should have access to quality education and tools that can lead to a prosperous future they also want a school environment that is safe this is why they oppose gun laws in our classrooms. If you didn’t know democrats are against standardized tests and they advocate for better benefits for students that’s why most schools in Miami Dade offer free breakfast and lunch. 

Republicans have different perspectives than Democrats they Believe parents should have more control over where their children go to school they aim to increase flexibility for families in choosing the best education setting choosing the best educational setting they also support school choice initiatives so they want the school to decide what’s best for their students.so it’s important to read about bother parties and see with which you agree with before voting and regretting your decision.

In conclusion, Education Policies are very important to the crucial framework of our education system and the worlds. Since it helps ensure that all students have access to quality education ,It sets a standard for what students should learn, Establishes Guidelines and it ultimately aims to improve the overall education system and its functions. 

As a first-time voter I believe everyone who heard are presentation learned something new about the election and why it really does matter to vote. Because if you don’t vote you can’t change what’s going on in the country or make it better. I voted on my personal beliefs who I saw fit. And me and everyone can agree that the presentations didn’t show a biased we stated facts and evidence of both parties and the topics being voted on and who you believe is the best to vote for. Also, good job to Sherri for putting the event together and printing our brochures that we got to pass out and to everyone for putting in their part to show up thank you.