Vouchers, Universities
Amazing how people don't want vouchers for students trapped in a neighborhood failing school, but gladly let college students use grants and loans via the government for any school, including church-owned. Many teachers I know went to a church school. There are plenty in So Cal and many are top-rated--Pt. Loma, Biola, La Sierra, Loma Linda, etc.
Which brings up another point. The local paper had a story on how some of these church affiliated schols will need to get rid of their moral clauses or lose the aforementioned sources. I am a little in between this issue. I agree that these schools should be able to get government money. But,...I have always wondered why these schools do not give free scholarships to their members. Most of these schools have huge endowments and could afford it. But somehow they like being only able to serve the rich population that can afford the $20,000 ( or more) yearly tuition. So I challenge all church-based schools to lower tuition so that lower middle class can afford you. Get funding from your church and ditch the government ! Then keep your high moral standards!
Los Angeles Takeover!
Mayor of LA wants to take over the schools. The state is only going to give him control of a few dozen of the worst. Pity. What this district needs is a complete takeover. Just goes to show you that the more we get apart, the more our views get closer. School takeover has always been a republican issue. Of course the school board does not like it. Not only does it point out their failures, but it threatens their power. And power is the real issue. Not students, as usual. The current superintendant, Roy Romer wants to crow about how he has improved things over the past six years. He just does not get it. Bragging that we are improving would be like Ford bragging how 60 cars out of a hundred were lemons, and now only 50 are. Some improvement. Besides, there are board members who have been on longer than 6 years. What did they do before? Sorry board members, YOU are part of the problem. Nothing will change in public education until people are sick and tired of settling for failures. And taking less failures as somehow improvement. This might finally be an issue where dems and reps can get together. And then the status quo failings of public education will finally not be tolerated.
Teachers in Detroit
Here we go again. Teachers on strike. This time in Detroit. Now let me ask you this. Did these teachers not have a clue as to what teaching was going to be like in Detroit ? I just read a quote from a teacher there saying it's not about money, it's about the students. Give me a break! How is striking going to be better for the kids ? A pay raise is going to make you a better teacher ! Amazing! Now we know the secret! I would only support a strike if it was striking for better conditions for students. When have you heard of teachers striking because the student's bathrooms were shambles? Book shortage? Gang intimidation? If it really were about students, teachers would stay in the classroom and be there for their students. I seriously suggested these type of strikes when I was a teacher. Needless to say, I got no support.
