Sarah Palin: I'll Run For President 'If There's Nobody Else To Do it'

OH GOD NO!!! Please! There are plenty of people to run for president besides her!! *terrified look* Like we need more chaos in this country... (sorry I know this is an extra article, but I couldn't help it!) 


"Sarah Palin: I'll Run For President 'If There's Nobody Else To Do It' (VIDEO)." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 29 Oct. 2010. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/28/sarah-palin-president-2012-et_n_775612.html>.

Vote For Hope?

"That virtuous aim, of course, is the subject of ridicule. Here's Sarah Palin mocking optimistic Americans at a Tea Bagger event in February, "How's that hopey-changey thing working out for ya?""
So this guy Leo W. Gerard, talks about how we should vote for someone who could reinstate hope and optimism after all of this negativity, and also about how some people (hence the quote above) are mocking optimistic americans. I'd say I have to agree, what good is being negative and hopeless going to do? Things are more likely to get done with a better attitude and with more optimism to look forward to a better future.
"Leo W. Gerard: Vote for Hope." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 29 Oct. 2010. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leo-w-gerard/vote-for-hope_b_775295.html>.

Change Isn't Going To Happen Overnight...

So Obama was on the Daily Show for the first time ever, and he talked about how change was going to take a while despite everyone's bitching. (paraphrase) I sort of agree with him, but I can also see where he is at fault with this statement. He DID say that he would create changed, and hyped everyone up for it like he would become president and change would magically happen, but then again, common sense dictates that a huge disaster would mean a equally huge clean up. 


"Obama On Daily Show: Change 'Not Going To Happen Overnight'" Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 28 Oct. 2010. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/27/obama-daily-show-jon-stewart-interview_n_775102.html>.

Republicans are Overconfident.

In my opinion anyways haha. So apparently the republicans are super confident that they are going to win the election because they have a huge following and are leading the polls, but democrats are confident that the public will eventually pull through. 


"Midterm Elections: GOP Sees Elections as All Sewn up - Latimes.com." Los Angeles Times - California, National and World News - Latimes.com. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-house-gop-memo-20101027,0,3604559.story>.

Jail Time for Skipping Out on Parent Conferences?

Michigan prosector Kym Worthy, wants to put parents in jail for three days for not coming to parent teacher conferences, in order to encourage more parent involvement. A bit harsh? Maybe. But maybe we need something more harsh to get anywhere. 


"Michigan Prosecutor Plans To Make Parents Face Jail Time For Missing Conferences."Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/21/kym-worthy-jail-time-for-parents_n_772060.html>.

Charter Schools Won't Save the School System?

Diane Ravitch thinks that charter schools won't help but returning the focus of the school to it's classes rather than it's obsession with standardized tests will. I agree wholeheartedly. 


By. "Diane Ravitch: Charter Schools Won't Save the School System - US News and World Report." Breaking National and World News - US News. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://politics.usnews.com/news/best-leaders/articles/2010/04/19/diane-ravitch-charter-schools-wont-save-the-school-system.html>.

"Hispanic Educational Achievement"

So Obama signed this thing that targets "Hispanic Educational Achievement". 
"This is not just a Latino problem. This is an American problem. We've got to solve it," the president said. "Because if we allow these trends to continue, it won't just be one community that falls behind. We will all fall behind together." -President Obama
So why is it only targeted at latinos? Shouldn't we be worried about everyone's educational achievement?


"Obama Signs Executive Order To Boost Hispanic Educational Achievement." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Huffington Post. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/19/obama-executive-order-hispanic-education-achievement_n_768531.html>.

Dismal World

So I found these pictures on this website called  DISMAL WORLD 

Snapshots from the not-so-happy globe  and i wanted to share it. They are really moving, emotional pictures. But I want to warn you before you see them, they are really grim and heartbreaking. But it tells the truth about the world around us. 

http://www.dismalworld.com/must_see/unforgettable_photos.php

Do public school teachers get tenure just by breathing?

The mayor of New York decides to "overhaul" tenure, instead giving them tenure, based on improving test scores. 

Matthews, By Bebeto. "NYC Takes Aim at Teachers' 'tenure for Breathing' - USATODAY.com." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-10-08-teacher-tenure_N.htm>.

Teacher Interview

1. How do you think you should be  evaluated as a teacher?
-I think that we should be evaluated based on student performance, failure rates, and how much test scores improve.
2. How do you think the education is here at La Sierra?
-I think it's good compared to some other schools but it can be improved.
3. Do you think school should be harder on students?
-Yes, of course, like I said everything could and should be improved.
4. Do you think parents need to be more involved in their child's education?
-Yes, it always helps when parents are more involved.
5. What would you like to see changed within the school system?
-Teachers should be hired on the basis of their test scores (hired from the top of their class), and teachers must have degree in the subject that they teach in. They should also have harsher consequences for discipline, have charter schools and there should be more ease in the firing of bad teachers.
6. Should discipline be enforced more strictly?
-Yes, of course. Who wouldn't want discipline to be enforced more strictly.
7. Should state testing be necessary or should they find something else?
-They should have it as an assessment that's more critical, they should have different kinds and have them more frequently.
8. How do you think students should be evaluated in order to graduate (for graduation requirements)?
-They should have the CAHSEE, a minimum number of credits, and have a separate exit exam specially made for the 12th graders.
9. Should students who are failing be taken care of more seriously and with more concern?
-Of course, all failing students should be taken very seriously.
10. How important would you say your job is compared to that of parents and the students themselves, considering better education?
-The most important would have to be the teachers because they have greater influence than any other factor for human success.

Psychology for Lunch?

So some schools are putting salad bars near by the registers so that students will be more likely to buy them, since 1/3 of students are overweight or obese. It kind of gives the effect like the candy they put by the registers in the regular stores. I know I've fallen for that one! 


"School Cafeterias To Try Psychology In Lunch Line." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 14 Oct. 2010. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/13/school-cafeterias-to-try-_0_n_760839.html>.

Classrooms Behind Closed Doors

I think we seriously need to rethink who we're hiring as teachers. The teacher in this video has OBVIOUSLY LOST IT. But, supposedly it was just a nervous breakdown. I think confessing to set fire to the school is a little more than that, but I digress. Yeah, anyways check it out, and think about who they're hiring as teachers. I don't think he's the first to lose his mind on the job. 


"WATCH: Algebra Teacher Swears, Throws Furniture In Classroom Meltdown." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 13 Oct. 2010. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/12/algebra-teachers-outburst_n_759988.html>.

Community College is Better than a Four Year College...what?!

So apparently some Americans see community college as a better option than a four year college. WHY??? Mostly because of financial problems, apparently. Which is understandable, really, but also because some high school graduates lack the "intestinal fortitude". To each his own, I suppose. 


"AP Poll: Americans See Community Colleges as Viable Option for Some Students - Latimes.com." Los Angeles Times - California, National and World News - Latimes.com. Web. 08 Oct. 2010. <http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-ap-poll-community-colleges,0,6832214.story>.

Waiting For Superman Not Telling the Whole Truth?

Sandra Schroeder writes about how the new documentary, "Waiting For Superman" may not be telling the full story on the education reform and public schools. She claims that it only lists charter schools as a way to improve public schools. 


Schroeder, By Sandra. "Opinion | 'Superman' Documentary Doesn't Tell Full Story about Education Challenges | Seattle Times Newspaper." The Seattle Times | Seattle Times Newspaper. Web. 07 Oct. 2010. <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2013091702_guest07schroeder.html>.

Should Teachers Lose Tenure?

New Jersey Governor believes that teachers should lose tenure completely. But should we? 


Hu, Winnie. "New Jersey to Review Tenure Laws." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 05 Oct. 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/29/education/29christie.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=education%20reform&st=cse>.

Proof of how Our High Schools might be Ruining Our Future...

An article about Americas "smartest cities" or pretty much the cities with the most people with degrees. Check it out, were in the bottom 10 out of the whole nation with 19.2% of people with degrees. Nice. We are so awesome. *extreme sarcasm*
"Americas-smartest-cities: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance." Yahoo! Finance - Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News. Web. 05 Oct. 2010. <http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/110890/americas-smartest-cities?mod=career-worklife_balance>.

Meg Whitman does something good?

Meg Whitman might've done something that didn't make her look like an ignorant idiot! Check it out! Apparently she's promoting a liberal documentary on the education reform. 


"Meg Whitman Promotes Education Reform Documentary 'Waiting For Superman'"Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 02 Oct. 2010. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/29/meg-whitman-promotes-waiting-for-superman_n_743581.html>.