Kids learn about their state legislature

PATRIOTIC PITCH--State Assemblywoman Fran Pavley speaks to eighth graders at A. E. Middle School in Calabasas as she toured local schools last week to give students a primer in government. SHEILA MASSON/The Acorn

It’s never too late to go back to school.

State Assemblywoman Fran Pavley of Agoura Hills, a former teacher turned politician, returned to local classrooms last week as part of America’s Legislators Back to School Week.

Pavley represents the 41st Assembly District, which includes Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and the Santa Monica Mountains.

Pavley appeared at Malibu High School, Calabasas High School and A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas to teach history classes, a subject she taught to eighth graders, and to hear firsthand what young people think about today’s issues.

The topics they discussed included education, teen drivers’ licenses and the energy shortage.

"Energy is a big issue," Pavley told Kevin Kane’s eighth-grade history class at A. E. Wright. "Should Edison keep purchasing power and paying off all their debts? We’ve had literally hundreds of hours of discussion on this topic since January."

Student Alex Trotta told Pavley his family was trying to do its part to save energy.

"Usually we’d leave all of our computers on," the boy said. "Now we shut off the monitors and other things."

Pavley said because California is facing unexpected new costs, such as helping Edison with its $3 billion debt, a proposal to extend the middle school year failed to advance out of committee.

Pavley, a member of the Assembly Education Committee, asked students what they thought about the proposal to make their school year six weeks longer.

"Some kids need the structure of school," said Brian Wade. "If they are at home, they might get lazy."

"I don’t know about other parents, but my parents like the summer and they think it’s too short already," said Taylor Richards.

Speaking from the students’ perspective, Brooke Alderman agreed.

"Being a teenager is hard enough," she said. "Kids need a break after a while."

Students also discussed whether or not they liked the state’s policy of making new drivers wait six months before friends can be allowed as passengers.

"I see a lot of people who don’t follow that," said Amy Sarazen.

Pavley told them the age for first-time solo drivers might even be extended to 18.

"I think driving at 18 might be a good idea," Alex said. "It will reduce accidents."

But other students worried about the downside issues, like being a 17-year-old freshman in college and not having a car.

"I want to go somewhere to college away from my parents, and even if it’s a walk around campus, I still might want to have a car," said Amy.

Brian looked at it differently.

"I don’t want my parents driving me around on dates. That would be bad."

Like any good teacher, Pavley took all the comments in stride.

"My favorite grade to teach was eighth grade history. It seems like I’ve done that forever and ever."

Pavley, a former Agoura Hills mayor and longtime city councilwoman, was elected to the state Assembly last November.