Compulsory Patriotism: Requiring the Pledge of Allegiance in school?
This article is scary. What the hell are people thinking?
It is horrific to me to that a state would even consider such a law.
David Moshman: Compulsory Patriotism: Requiring the Pledge of Allegiance.
This should horrify everyone, including our most patriotic citizens, if they truly love freedom and our constitution.
I have had several friends and students, some who were very patriotic, who don’t say the pledge of allegiance for a wide variety of reasons including: being atheist, being Christian, not believing in pledging to a symbol, not believing in blind allegiance to a government, to not believing in saying “justice for all” until that’s true
Forcing American citizens to participate in daily patriotic sayings is completley un-American, let alone a serious violation of their first amendment rights.
Rating doctors on healthy patients = teachers on state test scores
I read a comment in this article that compared evaluating teachers and doctors with the same “accountably” measures.
Teacher Development At Center Of New Center For American Progress Studies.
Rating doctors on how healthy their patients are is a perfect comparison since their patients many times come to them unhealthy in the first place.
It is the same thing as holding doctors accountabl e for how well their patients follow their medical advice or how many of their patients get cured of their ailments.
Doctors can’t force patients to lose weight or quit smoking any more than teachers can force some students to learn, or take those tests seriously or force their parents to support their child’s education (or change some of the factors that can affect low test scores like not speaking English, having a learning disability, or coming from a low socio-economic status).
School Districts Shortchange Low-Income Schools: Report
I am pleased that, as U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in the following article posted, “The facts are out there like they’ve never been before,” but these findings have been more than just “long suspected.”
School Districts Shortchange Low-Income Schools: Report.
In 1991, Jonathan Kozol detailed this in his book, Savage Inequalities: Children in America’s Schools, that discusses the disparities in education between schools of different classes and races. It is based on his observations of various classrooms in the public school systems of East St. Louis, Chicago, New York City, Camden, Cincinnati, and Washington D.C.
His observations take place in both schools with the lowest per capita spending on students and the highest, ranging from just over $3,000 in Camden, New Jersey to a maximum expenditure of up to $15,000 in Great Neck, Long Island.
In his visits to these areas, Kozol illustrates the overcrowded, unsanitary and often understaffed environment that is lacking in basic tools and textbooks for teaching. He cites the large proportions of minorities in the areas with the lowest annual budgets, despite the higher taxation rate on individuals living in poverty within the school district.
This article states that, “Though Duncan highlighted the glaring disparities Wednesday, his administration has so far prioritized other issues — such as standards and innovation — over funding equity.”
These glaring disparities have always been known so, unfortunately, I doubt the report will alter priorities any more than Kozal’s findings did.
Lawrence Taylor Sex Trafficking Lawsuit: Former Giants Star Hit With Suit From 2010 Prostitute Incident
It’s completely amazing (and disheartening) how many ridiculous comments are made on this article. I forget how the majority of people have no clue to how real trafficking and the sex slave trade is.
‘Teacher Evaluation’ : Real Agenda Appears to Be School PRIVATIZATION
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The article from the Common Dreams website, by Gloria C. Endres, ‘Teacher Evaluation’: Real Agenda Appears to Be School Privatization is a must read for anyone interested in education in the slightest bit.
After much research over the years on this subject, I can attest to THIS IS WHAT IS BEHIND MOST EDUCATION REFORM AND THE “NEED TO IMPROVE” TEACHER EVALUATIONS.
The privatization of public schools (school-choice, voucher system, etc.) would have he most damning results on education. Don’t we have enough evidence what happens when a few billionaires control an institution? Turning education into corporate profit would only serve those who would make millions from this, NOT THE STUDENTS.
Read Michelle Rhee’s Wikipedia page (I checked all the references).
The Student’s First website makes it clear what their agenda is. Although they should be commended for their anti-bully and pro LGBT stance, that is where the students coming first stops.
(You may also want to read a piece Larry Strauss wrote for The Huffington Post called, Students First and Other Lies).
A Reminder of who we are……
I know this is dated and we have all seen it but… we also need to re-watch this again and again to realize how quickly we can be put in our place of pre-judging not expecting the best of those who we expect the least from. I no longer work in the music industry but this is lesson of life that I can relate to the students I work with.
REGGAE IN THE VALLEY Festival in Napa, CA presented by The Calendar Guy Productions
Come join me and support the arts with my newest passion. I have been helping out my dearest friends at The Calendar Guy Productions: James jamescurtbyrum.com and Kristine kristinecumminsdesign.com and I forgot how much I love doing stuff like this! Since I began teaching I’ve always missed working in the music industry so volunteering in this area is extremely fulfilling. I’m hoping this is just the beginning of my involvement with both The Calendar Guy Productions and Napa Valley Arts Council because it has also given me a missing connection to my art and the art of those close to me.
This is the first show I’m helping with so come and support the arts.
Reggae in the Valley: Napa Valley’s Earth Day Evening Celebration!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Napa Valley Expo, Chardonnay Hall (575 3rd Street) in Napa, CA
4:30 pm – 11 pm (doors @ 4)
www.ReggaeInTheValley.com
Caribbean-Style Food!
Hot Air Ballon Ride Raffle
All Ages Event!
Tickets $20 Advance / $25 Door
For more information, contact THE CALENDAR GUY PRODUCTIONS at 707-225-5649 or visit www.ReggaeInTheValley.com
ARTISTS PERFORMING ARE:
DAVID KIRTON
RAS INDIO
ISHI DUBE
ROCKER T
MYSTIC ROOTS BAND
C.R.VIBES
