Here's a great idea: a blog dedicated to a new charter high school in northwest Jefferson County, outside Denver. Learn about the challenges and complications of working to bring a new public school option to life, and maybe find some inspiration for another charter school or charter school-to-be. … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2006
Mr. Ritter, inquiring Democrats want to know…
Inquiring minds want to know: How does Governor-elect Bill Ritter plan to pay for his socialized health insurance mandate? Inquiring minds include many respected members of his own Democrat Party: Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora, called Ritter's proposal a "budget buster" and Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, head of the Joint Budget Committee, said it could work, "but only if you don't do the math." Hagedorn said it would cost an estimated $240 million a year just to cover the 120,000 children in Colorado who don't have insurance. "It's a budget buster, but we have to decide on our priorities. That's not doing anything but funding those 120,000 kids and getting them enrolled," Hagedorn said. He said providing health care to all … [Read more...]
“Should you pay for someone else’s opinions?”
That question, as raised in today's Wall Street Journal by Stephen Moore, highlights the prime importance of a major First Amendment case on the U.S. Supreme Court's upcoming docket: Washington v Washington Education Association, & Davenport et al v Washington Education Association. Moore writes: At issue is whether workers have the right to effectively declare themselves conscientious objectors to the unions' multimillion-dollar political war games. "All we are saying is that no one has the right to take our money and spend it on causes we don't believe in," insists Cindy Omlin, a recently retired speech teacher in Spokane. "If you want my money, ask for it, like private charities, political candidates and businesses do." Ms. Omlin was … [Read more...]
Whither the defenders of the education status quo?
Given time, even the New York Times will come around. If you haven't read Paul Tough's article on the success of KIPP charter schools in overcoming the minority achievement gap in the November 26 edition, go read it now (registration required). Then check out Whitney Tilson's School Reform blog and a column by Alan Bonsteel in today's Orange County Register. Writes Bonsteel: The Times specifically praised the KIPP schools as being nonunion and therefore outside normal public school work rules, thus allowing them to hire top-notch, dedicated teachers willing to put in the very long hours needed to bring to grade level these kids who most need a hand up. The attitude of the KIPP schools from the outset has been to provide not just what … [Read more...]