“We think it would be better if the MEA would focus on academics rather than social engineering.”
The MEA is a labor union and as such stands up for the rights of its members. As any group, this one has a right to express their opinion about anything. To say they should limit their comments to one subject or another is contrary to the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution and smacks of censorship at its worse. Even in the matters of political campaigns, the nation's highest court in Buckley v. Valeo, observed:
"In the free society ordained by our constitution, it is not the government, but the people--individually as citizens and candidates and collectively as associations and political committees--who must retain control over the quantity and range of debate on public issues in a political campaign."
So as you can see, Mr. LePage and Ms.Conley, the MEA(ssociation) in voicing their opinion in this campaign have retained their control over the quantity and range of debate on an important public issue. Sorry if this expression offends you in any way. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_sTN2ovvFhWREhkSDNWeS1yb00/edit#
In releasing this statement to the press, Senator Collins should be ashamed.
MSHA learned of these debacles last January. Under then Executive Director Dale McCormick, MSHAs immediately reorganized the inspection process and created a totally new division to inspect the units taken back from vendor agencies who administered them for MSHA. Additionally more than 28 persons were hired, (with additional inspectors still being hired), and the units publicized were totally rehabbed. All of these corrections were initiated and finished under Dale McCormick and HUD was so notified. HUD informed MSHA it was aware that the deficiencies had been corrected and they (HUD) would not publish their report, since it was no longer accurate. However, HUD did send a copy of the report to Senator Collins who, feigning outrage, used it for politcal gain while trampling over many hard working people's honor.
Senator Collins, have you no shame?
There is no question that "standards-based education will set aside 'traditional methods of instruction' used to educate students since the late 1800s". Neither is there any question that a change is desperately needed. The disturbing question remains: Is standard-based education the best model in existence to replace the century+ old industrial model?
I am anxious as I watch this change approach us like a Tsunami that seemingly cannot be stopped. My anxiety is increased when I read such articles as Teacher: One (maddening) day working with the Common Core, in the Washington Post.(http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/teacher-one-madden... commoncore/2012/03/15/gIQA8J4WUS_blog.html).
Simply because this system will replace an old worn out system is not sufficient reason that it should be embraced. Are there better models out there, which are being ignored (e.g., Finland, Singapore)? Are we racing headlong into this drastic change, thus possibly putting our students at risk, in a disguised attempt to acquire federal money (i.e., the Race to the Top)?
It is past time that we apply a little braking, not enough to stop, but enough to slow a bit and proceed cautiously. There are many wrinkles in the common cores; wrinkles big enough to wreck an already damaged system.
Recent Comments
Maintaining control of your right to debate
“We think it would be better if the MEA would focus on academics rather than social engineering.”
The MEA is a labor union and as such stands up for the rights of its members. As any group, this one has a right to express their opinion about anything. To say they should limit their comments to one subject or another is contrary to the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution and smacks of censorship at its worse. Even in the matters of political campaigns, the nation's highest court in Buckley v. Valeo, observed:
"In the free society ordained by our constitution, it is not the government, but the people--individually as citizens and candidates and collectively as associations and political committees--who must retain control over the quantity and range of debate on public issues in a political campaign."
So as you can see, Mr. LePage and Ms.Conley, the MEA(ssociation) in voicing their opinion in this campaign have retained their control over the quantity and range of debate on an important public issue. Sorry if this expression offends you in any way. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_sTN2ovvFhWREhkSDNWeS1yb00/edit#
Sen Collins have you no shame?
In releasing this statement to the press, Senator Collins should be ashamed.
MSHA learned of these debacles last January. Under then Executive Director Dale McCormick, MSHAs immediately reorganized the inspection process and created a totally new division to inspect the units taken back from vendor agencies who administered them for MSHA. Additionally more than 28 persons were hired, (with additional inspectors still being hired), and the units publicized were totally rehabbed. All of these corrections were initiated and finished under Dale McCormick and HUD was so notified. HUD informed MSHA it was aware that the deficiencies had been corrected and they (HUD) would not publish their report, since it was no longer accurate. However, HUD did send a copy of the report to Senator Collins who, feigning outrage, used it for politcal gain while trampling over many hard working people's honor.
Senator Collins, have you no shame?
Standards-based education
There is no question that "standards-based education will set aside 'traditional methods of instruction' used to educate students since the late 1800s". Neither is there any question that a change is desperately needed. The disturbing question remains: Is standard-based education the best model in existence to replace the century+ old industrial model?
I am anxious as I watch this change approach us like a Tsunami that seemingly cannot be stopped. My anxiety is increased when I read such articles as Teacher: One (maddening) day working with the Common Core, in the Washington Post.(http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/teacher-one-madden... commoncore/2012/03/15/gIQA8J4WUS_blog.html).
Simply because this system will replace an old worn out system is not sufficient reason that it should be embraced. Are there better models out there, which are being ignored (e.g., Finland, Singapore)? Are we racing headlong into this drastic change, thus possibly putting our students at risk, in a disguised attempt to acquire federal money (i.e., the Race to the Top)?
It is past time that we apply a little braking, not enough to stop, but enough to slow a bit and proceed cautiously. There are many wrinkles in the common cores; wrinkles big enough to wreck an already damaged system.