Union/Gov't Battles

[ShockBand]

And Sub and Maggie, I thoroughly enjoy these discussions, even when we might disagree on specifics. Anything that pushes and challenges my thinking is welcome. I am right now in the midst of blowing up teaching mindsets I've had for a long time. It's nerve-wracking and frustrating, but I'm the better for it, and hopefully the same will be said for my students.

[SubGod22]

I'd be finding you a project of some kind to put the material into context - its a great way to extend learning for the ones who get the fundamentals more easily. When I've done that with kids I actually smile when the project frustrates them a bit, as that indicates they are more likely to grow as they rise to meet the challenge.

Pushing students is hard work and not for the timid.

I always liked a challenge. Apparently I needed more of them growing up :D

And Sub and Maggie, I thoroughly enjoy these discussions, even when we might disagree on specifics. Anything that pushes and challenges my thinking is welcome. I am right now in the midst of blowing up teaching mindsets I've had for a long time. It's nerve-wracking and frustrating, but I'm the better for it, and hopefully the same will be said for my students.

I love discussions like this. I'm not opposed to hearing different views and experiences. It's another way to learn and adjust my stances on different issues. The more I can learn or know the better I am and can be. Even if something comes up I don't agree with, you can still learn from it, or better understand others with differing view points.

Learning is fun...

[Maggie]

ShockBand –

The best teachers I had – grade school on – didn’t simply challenge me, but conveyed and expressed with absolute sincerity (and kids know the difference) that what they were teaching was important, to me, – and they explained why it was important, to me. The “why” is the key – these kids are not dense.

Later on they should be open to debate, different points of view – good teachers don’t demean students – even if they disagree they let it go, offer a counter point to challenge the student, or, in the alternative, let that student down easy. Part of the purpose of teaching is to instruct your students how to think. Also, to impart why writing, the classics, and critical reasoning are so important – no matter what profession you find yourself in….college graduates these days are ill prepared for the real world (and that starts during grade school) – I see it everyday.

[ShockBand]

I hear you there, Maggie, and agree that sincerity and honesty is important. When they want to debate, I will usually offer counterpoints no matter what, just to push their thinking further.

When a kiddo asks me in my class (pre-engineering technology) when he will use "this", my answer usually goes something like this:

"You may never use this exact thing we're studying, but hopefully you are learning how to learn, gather information, make decisions, and solve problems. Will that be useful later on?" BTW, one of my paradigm shifts is making my tests more narrative than multiple guess and fill in the blank. Takes longer to grade, but is far more enlightening as to what is "sticking" in their heads.

And I agree we have too many who just want to check the boxes as they march through their education, even in college, and then expect the same in their job. What? I have to work and think and write? I tell my students that if they learn to write well, they can put themselves of probably 3/4 of their competition for scholarships and jobs.

[Maggie]

I hear you there, Maggie, and agree that sincerity and honesty is important. When they want to debate, I will usually offer counterpoints no matter what, just to push their thinking further.

When a kiddo asks me in my class (pre-engineering technology) when he will use "this", my answer usually goes something like this:

"You may never use this exact thing we're studying, but hopefully you are learning how to learn, gather information, make decisions, and solve problems. Will that be useful later on?" BTW, one of my paradigm shifts is making my tests more narrative than multiple guess and fill in the blank. Takes longer to grade, but is far more enlightening as to what is "sticking" in their heads.

And I agree we have too many who just want to check the boxes as they march through their education, even in college, and then expect the same in their job. What? I have to work and think and write? I tell my students that if they learn to write well, they can put themselves of probably 3/4 of their competition for scholarships and jobs.

One small point, while I have time, the narrative is superior (despite what the powers that be want us to believe) – essay exams, while “harder to grade” (which I guess they are – because you actually have to read) tell more about what the student has learned, and where developmentally the student might be, than anything else. Of course, it also gives the clever student the space to bull%^$!. But that is yours to sus out.

I am glad you expect that of your students. Keep on working and don’t “let the turkeys get you down”. If you know what I mean.

[Maggie]

I tell my students that if they learn to write well, they can put themselves of probably 3/4 of their competition for scholarships and jobs.

Three-quarters? No. Top 5% and more.

[ShockBand]

I tell my students that if they learn to write well, they can put themselves of probably 3/4 of their competition for scholarships and jobs.

Three-quarters? No. Top 5% and more.

Don't want to puff them up too much! :D

[Maggie]

I tell my students that if they learn to write well, they can put themselves of probably 3/4 of their competition for scholarships and jobs.

Three-quarters? No. Top 5% and more.

Don't want to puff them up too much! :D

You're not - depending on their skill. :) But at least you would be closer to the truth.

[SubGod22]

Controversial Wisconsin Union Law Set to Take Effect After High Court Ruling

Wisconsin’s contentious union rights law is set to go in effect following a sharply divided ruling by the state Supreme Court.

The decision is a major victory for Republican Gov. Scott Walker after a long and dramatic battle that was met with heavy protests in the state’s capitol and across the country.

The high court upheld Walker’s law in a 4-3 vote Tuesday evening, determining that a judge overstepped her authority when she voided the governor's plan to strip most public workers of their collective bargaining rights.

An avalanche of lawsuits is expected, because legal challenges couldn't be brought until the law took effect.

Walker says the legislation is necessary for Wisconsin to address its $6.3 billion budget shortfall.

"The Supreme Court's ruling provides our state the opportunity to move forward together and focus on getting Wisconsin working again," Walker said in a statement.

Union leaders blasted the court's decision. Phil Neuenfeldt, president of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, called it "an affront to our democracy."

[SubGod22]

Gov. Kasich Signs Sweeping Ohio Budget Moments Before Deadline

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Just hours before a midnight Thursday deadline, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed into law a nearly $56 billion state budget that contains broad policy changes for the state, after vetoing a provision that would have given the state first dibs on repurchasing state prisons sold to private developers.

The 3,262-page bill privatizes five state prisons, overhauls Medicaid, eliminates Ohio's estate tax in 2013, bans most abortions in public hospitals, and ties teachers' pay more closely to student achievement.

"We promised Ohioans a new way and a new day, and we're delivering," Kasich said. He signed the two-year spending plan on the eve of a new fiscal year after striking the prison language and six other items.

Critics, however, argue his plan makes such drastic reductions in funding to school districts and local governments that teachers and police will be laid off and residents will end up taking a financial hit as local tax increases get passed.

Cities, townships and other local governments will see a drop of more than $1 billion during the next two years through a combination of cuts to state funding and changes to the tax money they get.

While state aid to schools increased by roughly $400 million, it will not be enough to compensate for losses under new tax policies and with the end of a nearly $900 million federal economic stimulus program for Ohio.

Among other changes, the measure prohibits hospitals and other facilities receiving state funds from performing elective abortions. It also provides tax credits for investors in Ohio businesses and expands eligibility for Choose Ohio First college scholarships for residents who attend Ohio colleges and universities

[wufan]

Personally, I think that education funding SHOULD come from local taxes. If the federal government would stop providing funding, and cut taxes that they aren't sending to the schools, it would allow more local based governments to take over (and tax as needed). This would put a great deal more ownership in the schools which will lead to better education, and probably cheaper.

[shox1989]

Personally, I think that education funding SHOULD come from local taxes. If the federal government would stop providing funding, and cut taxes that they aren't sending to the schools, it would allow more local based governments to take over (and tax as needed). This would put a great deal more ownership in the schools which will lead to better education, and probably cheaper.

The only problem with that is local property taxes are already too high. I do NOT want to pay a dime more in property taxes.

[SubGod22]

The recall elections brought on by the Gov't/Union battles earlier in Wisconsin have ended with the evil Republicans holding onto power. Wisconsin Recall Elections Don't Change Trajectory, But Larger Effort Persists

Madison – Republicans held control of the Wisconsin Senate on Tuesday, keeping four of six seats against Democratic challengers in a recall election, but don't expect the bickering to end there as battles remain pitched across the country over union rights and the semblance of economic order.

As the 2012 election season heats up, Democrats have vowed to put Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on the ballot for recall even though efforts to oust six Republicans in the state Legislature didn't go as well as the massive spending effort would have presumed.

With $31 million spent on the recall effort, four Republicans -- Sens. Alberta Darling, Sheila Harsdorf, Rob Cowles and Luther Olsen all held onto their seats. Two Republicans -- Sen. Dan Kapanke and Randy Hopper -- were defeated, respectively, by Democrats Jennifer Shilling and Jessica King.

[WuDrWu]

And it's not over yet, as the "counter insurgence" happens next Tuesday, with 3 Democratic Senators face their own recall elections.

I believe the total spent on these recalls was something like 3 times what was spent on the entire general election in the state. Something totally out of the norm, whatever the total.