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 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...]
Harsanyi on Hope
Denver Post news columnist David Harsanyi tells the truth today about the manufactured "controversy" about Hope Online Learning Academy, which uses technology, adult mentors, and a research-based curriculum to reach struggling students who have fallen through the cracks of the public education system. Read Harsanyi's piece, and ask yourself why Senator Sue Windels and the Colorado Education Association want to use a more rigorous standard to judge an innovative, alternative education program than they would care to use to judge traditional neighborhood public schools. Here's one hint: Hope doesn't employ unionized teachers. (Forget whether some poor kids in Denver and Colorado Springs might thrive in the online learning environment … [Read more...]
The Latest Colorado Blogosphere Controversy
To summarize ... To the Right: Have you read National Review? Some investigative journalism done there shows that the Dead Governors (aka Colorado Pols) is funded by liberal sugardaddies Gill, Stryker, and Polis. Dead Governors: Nuh-uh. Are not. Our views and agenda may happen to closely align with the wealthy Lefties, but we're raising all our own money through paid advertising. You can't trust that National Review anyways. To quote the Pols: "We've never had financial backing at any point, nor is it required to do what we do; it really doesn't cost much money to keep a blog running every month." No, but it sure can be a nice incentive for giving your time to the cause. If it hasn't been said here clearly before, it should be … [Read more...]
Happy Thanksgiving
As always, whenever this important holiday time arrives, there are many things to be thankful for: the grace of God, a loving and faithful wife, a healthy and beautiful baby daughter, the freedoms we hold dear in the United States, creature comforts & blessings beyond number, Jim is back home from the hospital ... I could go on and on. But just two important passages to quote for reflection on the eve of Thanksgiving Day 2006. First, a psalm of David from the Scriptures: Psalm 103:1-5 (NASB) Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the … [Read more...]
Of Coloradans, Michiganders, and Hoosiers
Driving in the car this evening, the conversation somehow turned to what the recognized names are for residents of different states. As my wife and I talked through the list, some were easy: Californians, Texans, Coloradans. But a few stumped me. I have to admit ... Connecticut? Utah? Wyoming? What do these people call themselves? Those of us born and reared in the Great Lakes State know that the proper and unique term to reflect our grand marine heritage is Michigander. What other state adds -der to the end? Nope, none of 'em. We're proud of that ... and of our 11,037 inland lakes. For the almost official list, I found this handy page from a Web site called "The Morning News." It even seeks to find geographical correlations by … [Read more...]
“Fiscal Conservatives, Don’t Despair” Redux
Since the Denver Daily News link in my previous post comforting fiscal conservatives was broken, here is essentially the same piece printed in Sunday's Pueblo Chieftain. … [Read more...]
NYT Spotlights Free Market Think Tank World
Anyone out there who may wonder what exactly it is I do for a living, this terrific piece from the New York Times (gulp ... yes, I said it) - complete with a photo of my boss Jon Caldara and a quick mention of my place of employment - gives a glimpse into the working world I inhabit. You may get an inkling of what it is I do ... just an inkling, though. A great weekend to all, and M GO BLUE ... Beat the Buckeyes! … [Read more...]
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