Today's Seattle Times reports that Seattle Superintendent candidate Maria Goodloe-Johnson says she relies on research for tough decisions.
Today's P-I reports that
Seattle faces some of the same challenges as other urban districts, such as closing the achievement gap between white and minority youngsters and helping students struggling with math, [Goodloe-Johnson] noted.I would hope that excluding the fact that Asian youngsters outperform white youngsters is the P-I reporter's own mischaracterization of the achivement gap, and not a reflection on Goodloe-Johnson's understanding of the research. Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at April 07, 2007 11:05 AM | Email This
1. Stable and supportive family
2. Family that values education
3. Culture that values education
4. Strong education work ethic
a. children spend hours studying
b. Parents sacrifice to provide tutoring
and education enrichment
These characteristics seem to apply, no matter the racial grouping.
I have gotten slammed by some secular progressives here because of my observations of that ideology and its impact on the native Black family and culture. It has destroyed the first necessary ingredient, which is a stable family and I suppose the ideology supports hip hop culture because of some definition of artisitc merit. It is possible for children of all races and cultures to succeed, given the proper circumstances. So, that is why I observe that secular progressive ideology does not work for my group.
The research on aptitude is simple. Good outcomes come from good premises. If you allow a kid to be immersed in defective ghetto culture, that's what ends up defining him or her. "White Privilege" is a euphemistic vilification of Western Civ, and the consistency and hard work that almost always generate superior ideas and success.
The Left continues to try and figure out how to glorify defective culture, and at the same time, get it to generate successful results. Doesn't this sound familiar? They try to tax us in to prosperity, etc. Progressivism is a defective ideology based on a defective philosophy that is destined to fail.
Posted by: Jeff B. on April 7, 2007 12:40 PMHispanic is not a race, it is an ethnicity. Hispanics can be (and are) of any race. There are black Hispanics, White Hispanics and even Asian Hispanics (ref Alberto Fujimori former President of Peru). Mr. Fox, the former President of Mexico would, name tag and all, fit in nicely in any Irish pub.
Posted by: Huey on April 7, 2007 12:51 PMPoooor Jeffie. Crying in his beer about the "left" still.... Progressivism is "defective" but I would imagine the opposite "Fascism" works right?
Having billionaires, and corporations control all legislation, so the have mores can have even more, and the rest can rot in rat infested squalor right?
I guess what you would call the "left" Jeff would be people that:
Know the Iraq occupation has been a disaster
Know Bush is the worst president ever
Know that borrowing a billion a day is bad
Know that global warming needs to be addressed
Know the GOP controlled congress was a disaster
Know America has never been more hated worldwide
Know our military is broken for no reason
Know Bin Laden is still free
Know little money went to rebuild Afghanistan
I am glad I am a lefty. All Facts Support My Positions!
Posted by: Facts on April 7, 2007 01:20 PMYou still have holocaust deniers, and people that think the sun revolves around the earth. Even more think that the world is only 6,000 years old. Just because you are presented with ideological fruitcakes doesn't mean you have to deny reality to laugh at them.
Anyone still denying global warming, just check out the pictures of the polar ice cap from space.
One picture is worth a million retards.
Posted by: Facts on April 7, 2007 01:31 PMI'll bite. Do you you have:
1. A definition of facism
2. Do you have a definition of socialism
3. Let us take a case in point of your ideology,
France
a. What is the debt
b. What is the rate of growth
c. What is the unemployment level
d. What is the economic outlook over the next:
1. five years
2. 10-15 years
e. What is the level of business formation
4. Have you spent time in Europe?
a. If one spends time among Europeans and
particularly the elite, there is a dislike
of America much of which is based upon
economic success.
b. Look at the economic propspects for
countries in the Euro zone
c. Regarding big-brother, spent any time in
London? Cameras trained on the population
every 10 feet.
Do you have any facts to support your rantings?
Why is it that so many millions of people from all over the globe are trying to get to this country by any means, legal or illegal if it is so awful. I have traveled and there are places I dearly love, but there is no place like this and despite its faults, I'll take it over anywhere else. So, are you and David, et al moving to Cuba together. Have a nice trip. ta ta.
Posted by: WVH on April 7, 2007 01:49 PMThen they compare you to the French. What a laugh.
Then they try to scare you with "big brother" talk while defending the NSA wiretaps, torture, secret prisons, the end of the right to a speedy trial, a lawyer etcetera.
Fascism = corporate control of the government
Tom DeLay = Bragging about not seeing anyone to talk about legislation that doesn't contribute to the GOP. If you are poor you walk.
Debt = 9 Trillion dollars. Was 5 Trillion when the Bush Gang took over.
Rate of Growth? You mean how many more Americans are thrown into extreme poverty yearly?
Unemployment = has nothing to do with underemployed, and the people that already gave up looking for jobs.
Economic outlook = Good. Democrats are now in control. The bleeding may soon stop.
Business formation = Since small businesses are taxed to death and the Fortune 500 pay nothing in taxes which kind are you talking about?
Economic Prospects = Germany just became the worlds leading manufacturer. How did that happen?
I love America. I just think our government should represent us all, and not just the top 1%.
Posted by: Facts on April 7, 2007 02:24 PMOur coaches feared the team would be attacked. Not by terrorists, but by citizens.
Since I am pointing this out does this mean I hate America?
I think not.....
Posted by: Facts on April 7, 2007 02:32 PMThe defintion of facisim:
"fas·cism (făsh'ĭz'əm)
n.
often Fascism
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
Oppressive, dictatorial control.
[Italian fascismo, from fascio, group, from Late
Latin fascium, from Latin fascis, bundle.]
http://www.answers.com/topic/fascism
The definition of socialism:
"so·cial·ism (sō'shə-lĭz'əm)
n.
Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved."
Cite from answers.com, see above.
The comparison with France and the Eurozone was not random, they are in fact socialist orientation. A recent bill regarding family leave, whether one supports it or not, is in the socialism ideology.
What I am speaking about is a governmental system that is in line with what I am assuming is your preferred ideology of socialism. The comparison is whether the economic performance of that ideology is similar to that of this system, you hate. The comparison is then made to France. The technique is called compare and contrast.
One thing we do agree on, "I love America. I just think our government should represent us all, and not just the top 1%."
That is why I support clean elections, a quality education for all children, and economic development in low-income communities and communties of color. I may be conservative, but I voted for Nader because we have the best government money can buy.
Now, to tie this to the thread, secular progressive ideas, what I glean from your rantings, are not going to get my community into the economic mainstream. The disadvantaged in many European communities are often worse off than they are here. Education opportunties for the poor of any color and immigrants are often limited in Europe. There are some intra group culture dynamics in this country which have an impact on achievement in this country. The education system here gives me more hope that issues affecting low-income children can be addressed.
Devoid of reality, facts, reason, sense. How amusing.....
Probably some poor confused graduate of Seattle Public Schools just showing off his/her utter ignorance of most everything.
Seattle Public Schools, in the top 10 of the nation in the 60's, today are the sad result of 40 yrs of liberal social engineering:
-busing-drove middle class Seattle to the suburbs and quality schools, which, of course, has created traffic gridlock, another mess.....see another thread......
-unionization of teachers demanding no accountability for results, for gold plated salaries and fringe benefits and lifetime tenure, accelerating the flight to the suburbs by parents
-war on poverty- $7 trillion to create more dependency spanning several generations since the 60's, and concentrating/encouraging poverty in the inner cities, again driving out parents looking for good schools
-utter breakdown in student discipline, a cornerstone of liberalism-no personal responsibility, just victimhood in all aspects of life.
But fools like Facts and David Matthews keep playing the victim card and actually blame clear thinking adults with solutions for creating the problems liberals created.
Seattle, slowly swirling down the toilet: schools, traffic gridlock, homeless heaven, bike paths. potholes, but tightly controlled lap dancing....
How sad......how laughable......
Posted by: Hank on April 7, 2007 02:50 PMYes, the level of hatred in Europe is high, but so is the level of intra-group hatred of the "upper classes" and aristocracy. A lot of hatred of the US is fanned by the elite to deflect from the privledges and advantages they enjoy. They, the elites, rountinely lampoon chavs and yobs. The situation is a bit more complex than you are desccribing.
Posted by: WVH on April 7, 2007 02:55 PMArafat had billions in Swiss bank accounts, while his people starved. The Palestinians are still trying to get the cash from his widow.
The only thing we can do to improve our worldwide image is to truly help "all" the people in the countries we trade with, and not just their elite.
As far as creating dependent lazy dirtbags, I am with you. The government safety net is a necessity but if someones needs help, they instantly begin paying for their non handout help by doing community service.
I am not for free rides for anyone, or busing 1 kid per bus for that matter.
Just remember, it may be you in the wheelchair, or recovering from cancer someday.
Posted by: Facts on April 7, 2007 03:54 PMI believe we have some common ground. I believe that most of the posters here want government to deliver services efficiently. Some may quarrel about the types of services, but most would include a good basic education in those services. You brought up Muslims, the curriculum of the Palestinan schools has been very ideological for a least a generation. There is a new study out of India which I have not read and it traces the economic success of India's emerging middle class and the fact that Muslims are falling behind as that country advances. Many Indian Muslims apparently attend Madrasses. This is the compare and contrast that I would pose for you to think about. Much of what passes for education these days is really indoctrination, in my opinion. If we get back to a thorough grounding in the basics, I think children and this society would be better for it. The best example I can think of is Picasso. If one looks at his abstract paintings, one wouldn't think he knew anything about the basics of drawing and design. If you go to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, there are his earlier works which were more realistic. Before he broke the rules, he had a thorough grounding in the rules. The reason why certain groups of children excel is that they and their families have a firm grounding in the basics.
Posted by: WVH on April 7, 2007 04:14 PMMary Hartman actually could think at some rudimentary level.......
For instance, Mary Hartman would be bright enough to stay on topic......
Hint, hint.......
Posted by: Hank on April 7, 2007 05:35 PMThe only thing we can do to improve our worldwide image is to truly help "all" the people in the countries we trade with, and not just their elite.
Even if that means we have to eliminate the elite?
Posted by: Edmonds Dan on April 7, 2007 09:56 PMJeffie is not my name, but Facts thinks that by using a schoolyard modification of names, that he can bolster his argument. If that's what passes for argument, then Facts should be banned from comments. Further, anyone who posts Anonymously is a coward, and should be taken with a grain of salt and even more scrutiny. If you don't even have the courage of conviction to stand up for what you believe by name, then you better have a really strong argument to back up what you say, and not just name calling. Anonymous Trolls are Anonymous, so banning them is of no consequence.
All that said, I challenge Facts to prove that Progressives running Seattle Public Schools do not make their racist decisions on color, and downplay obviously defective culture. All one has to do is read statements from Caprice Hollings to see blatant racism. Dr. Hollings views the mere existence of the Western Culture (that is the majority accepted culture in the US, by both Blacks and Whites, and many other colors for that matter) as racist. Dr. Hollings categorizes Blacks into two distinct groups. Those who have accepted "White" oppressive culture, and those who retain "Black" culture. And she lays out many other racist arguments that specifically link dominant culture to the color White. All clear example of racism. Nowhere is an individual judged on merit, absent of their pigment in Hollings view. Further, Dr. Hollings believes that rather than point out the defective elements of ghetto culture as areas for improvement that would lead to better outcomes, that we must all accept that culture for what it is, and if we criticize it, we are automatically racist. In other words, she subsidizes defective culture, and she is a self proclaimed Progressive and clearly holds Extreme Left leaning views.
So Facts, with folks like Dr. Hollings out there, many who are in positions of leadership in Seattle Public Schools, the statements they have made, speak far more about their ideology than I ever could.
Dr. Goodloe-Johnson hinted at part of the solution.
1. Each population of kids is different and so
some kids are going to need longer school
days and longer school terms. Some are going
to need tutoring.
2. I saw the list of stakeholders and with this
next suggestion, all heck will break out and
it probably isn't acceptable in the current
school configuration. This is a value judgement
and that is why I like charter schools. In
my opinion, most Blacks aren't going back to
Africa, except for a vacation. That means that
we are going to have to function in this
economy and this society. Most Africans that
I have met consider American Blacks a
different species anyhow. Since this is a
capitalist society, we need to teach kids the
rules of the game to exist in the here and now,
not some utopia. This is were all heck is
going to break out - suppose low-come children
were enrolled in Junior Achievement like
programs - would that be considered an improper
form of indoctrination by the "White Privledge"
crowd? Seattle University has an etiquette
dinner for kids of all classes and colors to
teach them not to eat with their paws. I
imagine that Oprah, Powell, and Rice
occasionally encounter discrimination, but
people of achievement, no matter what their
color have an easier time. The point is a lot
of what is going on in schools doesn't help
the ultimate ability of these kids to make
good life choices.
3. In all honesty, I think both candidates are
committed to doing a good job, they will fail
because the current insitutional structure with
a school board makes them accountable, but
doesn't give them the authority and power to
actually do the job.
4. At this stage in my life, I believe in thinking
small. School competition with a charter
school where every public school is a charter
and a limited number of vouchers is the best
alternative. Much smarter people than me have
tried to make the current institutional
structure work and they have failed.
Posted by: WVH on April 7, 2007 10:50 PM
Before leaving for my religious celebration, I have some questions for you.
1. You never cite any sources. You always demand
that those proposing new ideas that are not
secular progressive give you the answers. You
attempt to criticize and demean, why is that?
2. A couple of questions for you:
a. An analogy regarding the public
schools. The Titantic is now at the
bottom of the Atlantic. It was a total
failure. It can be raised at a considerable
expense. When raised, it still won't
sail and it still will be broken. Why
should more money be spent in the current
insitutional public school structure which
has failed?
b. Smarter people than me have tried to save
the current insitutional structure. What
are your answers? Suppose unlimited dollars
are not available? What do you do then?
c. I believe that a charter school district
where every public school is a charter
school and that insitutional structure
answers the equality of resource questions.
Your response in the past was the public
has rejected charters (was that that union
lead disinformation campaign?) and the the
research, which you didn't cite, shows them
as failures. I believe I chased you around
four threads looking for answers, a bit
like your comment on education standards
for which I gave the RCW cite and then
there was silence.
3. Secular progressive philosophy has failed my
group because at the core is Cato, the recent's great quote, "morality is in the eye of the beholder." In my opinion, secular progressives want low-income people and people of color to be village idiots and useful idiots which is why public schools are the way they are. Secular progressives don't want bunches of Condi Rices and Colin Powells because they aren't secular progressives and never will be.
So, I am open minded, how would you and your ilk now fix the mess you have created in the public schools?
The presence of problems does not mean the current institutional structure has failed. Would you say that because our country has problems, its current institutional structure has failed? Ironically, this makes you a "secular progressive" rather than a "traditionalist" under Bill O'Reilly's definitions that you cited. That doesn't prove who's right or wrong, just the absurdity of labels, especially loaded labels promulgated by blowhards like O'Reilly.
You cite problems in the public schools but present neither empirical evidence nor theoretical argument why most of them would be solved by charters. For example, the problems cited in the Madrona school have been large class sizes and lack of enrichment classes. Neither of those is necessarily addressed by charter schools. Both, however, can be addressed with money.
You complain about unions. Of course unions don't exist for customer service, but for the benefit of the employees, and our society has decided that in general employees should be allowed to create them. Perhaps we should consider limiting the role of some unions, but I don't know specifically how. In any case, I'm not sure it's relevant here. For one thing, charter school teachers can legally form unions, too. For another thing, most parents have generally good things to say about their kids' teachers, so I have trouble believing that unions are a significant part of the problem. But that's a fine topic for debate.
You question my evidence that charter schools tend to underperform public schools; see http://tinyurl.com/2xjl37. Nonetheless I agree that charter schools have some merit and could support them under some conditions, although you have said you don't like those conditions, especially the ones regarding religion's role. These too are fine issues to debate. However, if you're going to keep raising them in every education thread, you should (at least if you want to convince anyone) explain how your proposals would solve the problems you cite.
Happy Easter!
I haven't got time to list all the research on charter schools. You still have answered my questions. I specifically referred to charter school districts where every school is a charter. Regarding class size, I haven't got time to list all the research on that either. Specifically, what is your proposal (s) so for improving public schools? Oh, regarding the "sic" thing. I am a terrible speller , so have at the "sics." What specifically are your proposals? Is it just more money? If you don't think that public schools have failed at
least students of color, I think a case can be made for most students, do you view them
as a success? Please address the following issues in low-income communities and communities of color:
a. graduation rates;
b. class choices, the number of low-income students and students of color
in science, math, technology, and advanced placement classes;
c. numbers of these kids headed for four year colleges, particularly colleges described as elite; and
d. numbers of kids that drop-out
"It's like having your doctor say, "You have high cholesterol, so my value judgment is to amputate your arm."
Just as you make value judgments with almost no evidence, let me connect the dots. Every population of kids is different and that is why solutions will have to be addressed to that population of kids. Your argument is a ridiculous example. If you had high cholesterol, your doctor might put you on a diet or give you appropriate medication. Your argument is simply dumb. In the case of education, insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over again. Which is pouring in more money without changing the structure.
I know this is slightly off topic and I know how you like to stay on topic.
Michigan's economy is in the toilet, one commentator has proposed the following. It will never happen, but it is a thought:
Nolan Finley
Make Michigan a right-to-work state
Michigan needs a big play. We need to send up a signal flare that announces the state's culture has radically changed.
Ideally, we'd do it by forging the nation's most competitive tax system. Or creating the most highly skilled work force. Or being boldly innovative by, say, guaranteeing health care costs won't rise faster than inflation.
But those things will take more time than we have.
Something we can do quickly, and with more dramatic impact is to make Michigan a right-to-work state.
Ending compulsory union membership in the birthplace of the United Auto Workers and the sentimental home of the Teamsters would send a powerful message that Michigan is ready to move into the 21st century.
And it would knock down a major obstacle to attracting investment.
Michigan has a well-earned reputation as being in the iron grasp of Big Labor. Businesses that have a choice won't come to a state where the politics and policy are dictated by union bosses.
Conventional wisdom says that labor's influence is too powerful to even consider a right-to-work movement in Michigan.
But increasingly, the right-to-work option is finding its way into serious conversations about what it will take to stop the state's economic freefall.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070408/OPINION03/704080306
You might want to look at these:
West, M. R., & Woessmann, L. (2003). Crowd control: An international look at the
relationship between class size and student achievement. Education Next.
www.educationnext.org
Hill, P. (2001, May 16). Charter school districts. PPI: Backgrounder.
www.ppionline.org/ndol/print.cfm?contentid=3365
Education Commission of the States. (2002). Policy brief: Charter districts.
http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/37/04/3704.htm
Happy whatever atheists celebrate.
Is more money to be spent on administrators supervising the increased number of staff necessary to reduce class size? Is more money going to be actually spent on academic achievement as opposed to overhead and administration? I wonder how much money currently in the system could be spent more efficiency with better results? This is just a thought.
Posted by: WVH on April 8, 2007 10:48 PM