The Pittsburg Gazette
April 22, 2010
One Man's Opinion by Roy Knox
The local rag has invoked copyright privilidge; therefore, the quoted pieces from One Man's Opinion have been removed. Read the article at this link:
If you read the local rag then I am sure you caught these words pinned by Mr. Knox in One Man's Opinion from the April 22, 2010 edition. Solid thoughts for one who cares for his/her country and the current direction it is headed. Then in the May 20, 2010 One Man's Opinion the author/journalist chooses to 'place all who oppose' in the same tree. This blog was not created to induce personal attacks and the blog host warned those who chose that road that they needed to become more respectful. I would encourage the author/journalist of One Man's Opinion to review his thoughts expressed in the April 22, 2010 edition. The host of this blog has no more control over the extreme individuals as those trying to put a 'rope' around the TEA Party followers. Little touchy when a group stirs up issues on the local level per One Man's Opinion in the May 20, 2010 edition; however, if you want to stir it up on the state and national level then move forward.
The author/journalist has already conveyed that he understands that all should not be placed in the same tree at the state and national level and should this not apply at the local level as well? No bad feelings between the host of this blog and Mr. Knox for he is entitled to his opinion. Plus, the host of this blog enjoys reading about the various topics covered by Mr. Knox, and finds many quite amusing and funny in a life filled with stress. Don't put us all in the same tree!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Education spending where does the money go
From M.Q. Sullivan and the EmpowerTexans team:
"Texas taxpayers now spend $11,084 per year per child on public education. But less than half of it makes it toward instructional expenses.
Ten years ago Texas was spending just $5,857.
(If per-pupil spending had increased with inflation, it’d be just $7,542 now, not $11,084.)
So where is the money going? Looking at data on the Texas Education Agency website, it's not going to the classroom.
If you think of each kid the way school administrators do -- as bags of money -- and consider your average third-grade class which has a cap of 22 students per teacher, that's $243,848 sitting there.
The money isn't going to the teacher. Average teacher pay was $47,313 in the 08-09 school year (up from $34,357 a decade ago). So where's the other $200,000 derived from our average classroom going? Seems a bit much for overhead, doesn’t it?
Certainly not instruction-related expenses. Of the $11,084 spent per pupil on public education in 2009, only $4,831 went for anything that could even remotely be considered "instructional" expenses as defined by the Texas Education Agency.
Over the last decade, student enrollment has risen 15 percent -- from 3.9 million students to 4.6 million students. In that same period, the number of teachers grew accordingly, at 19.3 percent. We have 14.4 students for every teacher (in 1999 it was 15.2 students per teacher).
But non-teachers? That’s where the growth is. We had 22 percent more non-teachers on the payroll in 2009 than in 1999. So for all this spending, for all these new, non-classroom employees, surely there's been some marked improvement in academic performance. Right? I mean, that’s why we spend money in public education…
Actually, there's been a decline in results. The average Texas SAT score in 1999 was a 992. In 2009, it dropped to a 988. The SAT may not be a perfect barometer, but it’s a pretty consistent outside measurement. Given what we’re paying per kid, surely it’s reasonable to expect a little improvement, right?
Our public schools are spending dollars almost faster than the taxpayers can earn them. We're told to support public education spending for the sake of the children. But the money doesn't seem to make it to where the kids, and their teachers, spend their days.
As parents and taxpayers, we have to demand that more dollars flow to the classroom, not from our pockets but from the over-fed bureaucracy whose bloated weight is dragging down our teachers and academically endangering our kids. So when your superintendent or school board next asks you for more money, bigger budgets and growing staff, we should demand they show us precisely how it will directly improve the education Texas’ kids receive. We’re clearly not getting our money’s worth.
The place to make these changes is at the local level. Your school district has a lot more power over their spending than they might want you to believe. It’s time for us to demand a lot better."
For Texas,
Michael Quinn Sullivan& the EmpowerTexans.com
"Texas taxpayers now spend $11,084 per year per child on public education. But less than half of it makes it toward instructional expenses.
Ten years ago Texas was spending just $5,857.
(If per-pupil spending had increased with inflation, it’d be just $7,542 now, not $11,084.)
So where is the money going? Looking at data on the Texas Education Agency website, it's not going to the classroom.
If you think of each kid the way school administrators do -- as bags of money -- and consider your average third-grade class which has a cap of 22 students per teacher, that's $243,848 sitting there.
The money isn't going to the teacher. Average teacher pay was $47,313 in the 08-09 school year (up from $34,357 a decade ago). So where's the other $200,000 derived from our average classroom going? Seems a bit much for overhead, doesn’t it?
Certainly not instruction-related expenses. Of the $11,084 spent per pupil on public education in 2009, only $4,831 went for anything that could even remotely be considered "instructional" expenses as defined by the Texas Education Agency.
Over the last decade, student enrollment has risen 15 percent -- from 3.9 million students to 4.6 million students. In that same period, the number of teachers grew accordingly, at 19.3 percent. We have 14.4 students for every teacher (in 1999 it was 15.2 students per teacher).
But non-teachers? That’s where the growth is. We had 22 percent more non-teachers on the payroll in 2009 than in 1999. So for all this spending, for all these new, non-classroom employees, surely there's been some marked improvement in academic performance. Right? I mean, that’s why we spend money in public education…
Actually, there's been a decline in results. The average Texas SAT score in 1999 was a 992. In 2009, it dropped to a 988. The SAT may not be a perfect barometer, but it’s a pretty consistent outside measurement. Given what we’re paying per kid, surely it’s reasonable to expect a little improvement, right?
Our public schools are spending dollars almost faster than the taxpayers can earn them. We're told to support public education spending for the sake of the children. But the money doesn't seem to make it to where the kids, and their teachers, spend their days.
As parents and taxpayers, we have to demand that more dollars flow to the classroom, not from our pockets but from the over-fed bureaucracy whose bloated weight is dragging down our teachers and academically endangering our kids. So when your superintendent or school board next asks you for more money, bigger budgets and growing staff, we should demand they show us precisely how it will directly improve the education Texas’ kids receive. We’re clearly not getting our money’s worth.
The place to make these changes is at the local level. Your school district has a lot more power over their spending than they might want you to believe. It’s time for us to demand a lot better."
For Texas,
Michael Quinn Sullivan& the EmpowerTexans.com
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The insiders really do have the power seats
Anyone know how many current members of Congress are former congressional staffers? 75
Number of these who were elected to the seat occupied by their former boss? 30
Average age of sitting US senator? 64
Average age in 1959? 58
In 1909? 58
In 1789? 47
We used to be a young country filled full of new and bright ideas. Wonder if having a senior level senate and house has something to do with thinking entitlements?
Now you all will really like this factoid: Percentage of all US stimulus funds for renewable energy since last September that have gone to foreign companies? 79
And you thought we had an uproar about shipping jobs out of country by the current administration.
Another minor detail on the immigration front: Estimated cost to locate, process, and deport all illegal immigrants in the United States as of May 20, 2010? $285,000,000,000
Now you know why I.C.E. does not work very hard at rounding up and shipping them out. You need money and we can't print enough to do the job.
Now for some international trivia.
Anyone know the percentage change in the past year in the average value of urban real estate in China? 140%
What is the total value of the 10,149 US companies acquired since 2001 by foreign interests?
$1,480,000,000,000
The US is worth more by the piece than it is by the whole!
What is the percentage of French who think it 'somewhat' or 'very' possible they will one day become homeless? 56% Percentage of Americans who think 'somewhat' or 'very' is possible? 4%.
Guess the current and last recession failed to move folks to a more frugal mindset or they know the 'safety blanket' of the federal government will be there to pick up the slack.
Number of these who were elected to the seat occupied by their former boss? 30
Average age of sitting US senator? 64
Average age in 1959? 58
In 1909? 58
In 1789? 47
We used to be a young country filled full of new and bright ideas. Wonder if having a senior level senate and house has something to do with thinking entitlements?
Now you all will really like this factoid: Percentage of all US stimulus funds for renewable energy since last September that have gone to foreign companies? 79
And you thought we had an uproar about shipping jobs out of country by the current administration.
Another minor detail on the immigration front: Estimated cost to locate, process, and deport all illegal immigrants in the United States as of May 20, 2010? $285,000,000,000
Now you know why I.C.E. does not work very hard at rounding up and shipping them out. You need money and we can't print enough to do the job.
Now for some international trivia.
Anyone know the percentage change in the past year in the average value of urban real estate in China? 140%
What is the total value of the 10,149 US companies acquired since 2001 by foreign interests?
$1,480,000,000,000
The US is worth more by the piece than it is by the whole!
What is the percentage of French who think it 'somewhat' or 'very' possible they will one day become homeless? 56% Percentage of Americans who think 'somewhat' or 'very' is possible? 4%.
Guess the current and last recession failed to move folks to a more frugal mindset or they know the 'safety blanket' of the federal government will be there to pick up the slack.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Appraised Value Notices Are Out
Did you get yours? I got a couple and for the life of me I don't understand how a 5 acre tract triples since 2009. I thought real estate values were down and not up. Any how there is a 5 acre tract next to mine that has been for sale for two years at an asking price of $20,000 and there has been no offers. Guess mine not for sale is worth more than the one that is for sale in the eyes of the appraisal district. Oh well time to suit up and get ready for battle! This is becoming a yearly battle and it should not be in my opinion. Eliminate the appraisal district's and enhance the sales tax. Then again Outsider has advocated shutting down the public schools and perhaps it is time.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
How do you get a BOOM going
According to Richard Karlgaard, you need a good education system in place to jump start a boom. He noted in a recent piece that American universities lead the world in upper education. He wonders how this is possible when our K-12 schools are not in the top 10 and in some measures US K-12 want even make the top 20. He goes on to explain this is not in America's best interest with regards to our competitive future. He also points out that the lack of success in the K-12 education is a reduction in our strength as a civilization.
He explores ways to get our K-12 education back into the global top 10 and one way is to "abolish the requirement of an education degree so that any college-degreed person who is motivated to teach has the opportunity to do so." Don't know about how others feel on this issue, but I think Mr. Karlgaard is right on track. I can't think of a better way to draw more successful people from the private sector into teaching. Wonder how many education majors remember and practice all the education theory they learned while attending an institution of higher education? I would be willing to bet they forgot the material as soon as the exam was over! It is the bottom quartile of teachers who do not want to abolish the 'education' degree. If you did then they may not have a place to work. Most teachers are serious about educating children and some are there due to the fact it was the easiest degree plan and by having the 'education' degree they were able to get a job. Schools are filled with bad teachers for this very reason. These are the teachers who continually have a bad day at work. These are the teachers who are not excited about getting up and going to the classroom every morning and can't wait for the summer off time when it is only August.
Outsider has posted in response to public schools "shut'um down". This is not the answer! You can't give up on education. Education provides us with the competitive edge. However, education has a terrible return with regards to funds invested in a student/s attending public schools in general. Some schools are better than others. How do we get a better return on the investment?
Mr. Karlgaard suggests that we fire the bottom quartile of teachers and pay the good ones more. Eliminating the 'education' degree requirement to teacher would go a long way towards bringing in a better crop of teachers and changing the way the education establishment thinks about who is and who is not qualified to teach.
He explores ways to get our K-12 education back into the global top 10 and one way is to "abolish the requirement of an education degree so that any college-degreed person who is motivated to teach has the opportunity to do so." Don't know about how others feel on this issue, but I think Mr. Karlgaard is right on track. I can't think of a better way to draw more successful people from the private sector into teaching. Wonder how many education majors remember and practice all the education theory they learned while attending an institution of higher education? I would be willing to bet they forgot the material as soon as the exam was over! It is the bottom quartile of teachers who do not want to abolish the 'education' degree. If you did then they may not have a place to work. Most teachers are serious about educating children and some are there due to the fact it was the easiest degree plan and by having the 'education' degree they were able to get a job. Schools are filled with bad teachers for this very reason. These are the teachers who continually have a bad day at work. These are the teachers who are not excited about getting up and going to the classroom every morning and can't wait for the summer off time when it is only August.
Outsider has posted in response to public schools "shut'um down". This is not the answer! You can't give up on education. Education provides us with the competitive edge. However, education has a terrible return with regards to funds invested in a student/s attending public schools in general. Some schools are better than others. How do we get a better return on the investment?
Mr. Karlgaard suggests that we fire the bottom quartile of teachers and pay the good ones more. Eliminating the 'education' degree requirement to teacher would go a long way towards bringing in a better crop of teachers and changing the way the education establishment thinks about who is and who is not qualified to teach.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Election formality is over
Came real close to shutting this blog site down last week. Then again I decided that the host was not the reason for all the 'hateful' attitudes. Individual behavior was the reason. The blog was not created for those who do not know how nor choose to get along. The purpose was to bring forth and debate issues related to local, state, national, and within the international arena.
After you have tried to educate someone as to your point of view and they don't agree then move on! There is no cause for shouting matches at the round table as reportedly took place on election day at a local round table. Passion is one thing, but hateful bliss is another. I now know why there are so few 'real' neighbors in this community. Then again I guess this can be said about most communities these days.
Us outsiders have torn the fabric of the local community with our relocation's for a better way of life. This appears to be the thought pattern of the insiders. We outsiders are not here to tear the fabric we are here to enhance. The insiders must be willing to listen to our thoughts. You don't have to agree! However, at the very least listen. You are using our tax money just as you are using your own to support the functions of government. Many of us outsiders have seen a better way due to the experience we gained from the community in which we came. All outsiders will agree the better way we experienced in another community may not be the better way in this community; however, you must be open to the idea that a better way exist.
As time moves forward the outsiders in this community will become the majority according to several demographic studies. By the way this does not only apply to this community this applies to all small communities in the state. Insiders and outsiders need to find common ground from which to work.
After you have tried to educate someone as to your point of view and they don't agree then move on! There is no cause for shouting matches at the round table as reportedly took place on election day at a local round table. Passion is one thing, but hateful bliss is another. I now know why there are so few 'real' neighbors in this community. Then again I guess this can be said about most communities these days.
Us outsiders have torn the fabric of the local community with our relocation's for a better way of life. This appears to be the thought pattern of the insiders. We outsiders are not here to tear the fabric we are here to enhance. The insiders must be willing to listen to our thoughts. You don't have to agree! However, at the very least listen. You are using our tax money just as you are using your own to support the functions of government. Many of us outsiders have seen a better way due to the experience we gained from the community in which we came. All outsiders will agree the better way we experienced in another community may not be the better way in this community; however, you must be open to the idea that a better way exist.
As time moves forward the outsiders in this community will become the majority according to several demographic studies. By the way this does not only apply to this community this applies to all small communities in the state. Insiders and outsiders need to find common ground from which to work.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Absurdity in finest form
The Educrats are at it again! They are doing their best to teach responsibility; however, they have no clue as to how best to educate a student in value judgement. First, one must lead by example, and this is a poor demonstration of leadership by example.
Suit Over How to Grade Students Pits Districts Against Texas
from the Texas Insider
"Eleven Texas school districts will ask an Austin judge today if they can keep cutting a break to students who badly fail courses despite a new law mandating truthful grading.
The districts — most are in the Houston area — are suing state Education Commissioner Robert Scott over his interpretation of the bill, which he says requires schools to give students accurate grades on their report cards. The districts maintain they can keep their policies that set minimum failing grades — typically a 50 — even if students deserved lower.
In their lawsuit, the districts argue that the statute, which took effect this school year, applies only to class assignments, not to semester or six- or nine-week grades on report cards.
The law does not mention report card grades, but the bill’s author, Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, has said she intended it to cover all types of grades.
The Fort Bend, Aldine, Klein, Alief, Anahuac and Clear Creek school districts filed the lawsuit in November, with Humble, Deer Park, Eanes, Dickinson and Livingston joining later. At today’s hearing, they are seeking a temporary injunction to keep Scott from voiding their minimum grading policies.
Scott, who is being represented by the Texas Attorney General’s office, is asking civil state District Judge Gisela Triana-Doyal to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing in part that he doesn’t have the power to enforce the grading law and that there’s not a specific student’s case in dispute."
Comments:
from Christian Archer
"I’m tired of the lame excuse that the psyches of the students can be permanently damaged if they have to experience that they underachieved. Part of maturing and growing up is to accept the responsibility for you actions (grades). In my opinion, we have an immature nation today because our education system and the norm of today’s societal values teaches people that they don’t have to take responsibility for their actions.
I’ve heard MATURITY defined as “the ability to accept the responsibility for one’s actions.”"
CW Jensen
"My principal used to try and get me to give grades to students that were NOT deserved.I said if I sign those RECORDS they represent my REPUTATION.My REPUTATION is worth more than this job.When I retired they did NOT believe I was really retiring because I was always threatening to quit.PEOPLE your REPUTATION is all you will have after you die………………………Make sure you were always TRUE to yourself."
from Erin
"As a teacher, I never “give” students grades – they earn them. If I were to give a student a higher grade than he earned, it would devalue the hard-earned grades of all the other students. As in real life, being fair means giving everyone the same opportunity to succeed according to consistently-applied standards, and actions have consequences.
You said it, Christian – the most valuable lesson schools can teach today is accepting responsibility. Too bad most of our elected officials didn’t learn that lesson."
If a judge allows this case to stand then he/she should be IMPEACHED!
Suit Over How to Grade Students Pits Districts Against Texas
from the Texas Insider
"Eleven Texas school districts will ask an Austin judge today if they can keep cutting a break to students who badly fail courses despite a new law mandating truthful grading.
The districts — most are in the Houston area — are suing state Education Commissioner Robert Scott over his interpretation of the bill, which he says requires schools to give students accurate grades on their report cards. The districts maintain they can keep their policies that set minimum failing grades — typically a 50 — even if students deserved lower.
In their lawsuit, the districts argue that the statute, which took effect this school year, applies only to class assignments, not to semester or six- or nine-week grades on report cards.
The law does not mention report card grades, but the bill’s author, Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, has said she intended it to cover all types of grades.
The Fort Bend, Aldine, Klein, Alief, Anahuac and Clear Creek school districts filed the lawsuit in November, with Humble, Deer Park, Eanes, Dickinson and Livingston joining later. At today’s hearing, they are seeking a temporary injunction to keep Scott from voiding their minimum grading policies.
Scott, who is being represented by the Texas Attorney General’s office, is asking civil state District Judge Gisela Triana-Doyal to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing in part that he doesn’t have the power to enforce the grading law and that there’s not a specific student’s case in dispute."
Comments:
from Christian Archer
"I’m tired of the lame excuse that the psyches of the students can be permanently damaged if they have to experience that they underachieved. Part of maturing and growing up is to accept the responsibility for you actions (grades). In my opinion, we have an immature nation today because our education system and the norm of today’s societal values teaches people that they don’t have to take responsibility for their actions.
I’ve heard MATURITY defined as “the ability to accept the responsibility for one’s actions.”"
CW Jensen
"My principal used to try and get me to give grades to students that were NOT deserved.I said if I sign those RECORDS they represent my REPUTATION.My REPUTATION is worth more than this job.When I retired they did NOT believe I was really retiring because I was always threatening to quit.PEOPLE your REPUTATION is all you will have after you die………………………Make sure you were always TRUE to yourself."
from Erin
"As a teacher, I never “give” students grades – they earn them. If I were to give a student a higher grade than he earned, it would devalue the hard-earned grades of all the other students. As in real life, being fair means giving everyone the same opportunity to succeed according to consistently-applied standards, and actions have consequences.
You said it, Christian – the most valuable lesson schools can teach today is accepting responsibility. Too bad most of our elected officials didn’t learn that lesson."
If a judge allows this case to stand then he/she should be IMPEACHED!
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