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The following excerpt is from a paper written by Lionel S. Lewis. Reading through the entire piece, I find it amazing that a Professor of Sociology would make such broad assumptions.

There are clearly numerous burdens or distractions in the lives of a great many students that keep them from their studies and learning, from learning basic facts and absorbing societal norms and values. In light of this, the achievements of the public schools and their teachers seem remarkable.

. . . The schools have been doing quite well, and they probably couldn’t “do a much better job” no matter how many more resources were made available.

I find that last statement particularly disturbing. Suggesting that the schools are doing the best job possible is ridiculous. There are many people unhappy with the present state of education, especially public education. Adopting Lewis’s conclusions amounts to defeat and acceptance.

Some standardized test score averages have fallen, of course, because a larger percentage of high school students than four decades ago, not just those planning to attend competitive colleges, are presently taking these tests.

What the Statistical Abstract shows is that, at any given time, the public elementary and secondary schools enroll close to 20 percent of the American population, and 95 percent of those between 5 and 17 years of age. What other institution must provide a place for such a great and diverse number of individuals?

The assumptions based on standardized testing fails to take into account one of the main criticisms of the No Child Left Behind Act. Because of the draconian sanctions for “non-performing” schools, the concentration in many schools is not on education but scoring well on the standardized tests. Citing the percentage of children/teens attending schools is meaningless since attendance is required by law. The public education system is a virtual monopoly sanctioned and mandated by government force.

We can see from the first graphic that between 1970 and 2003, there was appreciable growth in public school enrollment. This was in large part due to providing more places for the mushrooming number of younger students. Average daily attendance also greatly increased.

The conclusion I draw from the above statement is that the public school system has become more efficient at enrolling an increasing number of students. It does not have any bearing on the quality of education.

Continue Reading “Public schools are doing quite well” »

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When your name is Eliot Spender, er, Spitzer and you are the Governor of New York. 

Governor Eliot Spitzer will give plans to expand the Javits Convention Center another look on Monday.
The governor’s aides have said they’re concerned the $2 billion expansion plan is not big enough.
Spitzer is scheduled to discuss the center’s future Monday morning with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Charles Schumer.
Former Governor George Pataki approved the upgrade during his final term in office.

The 3D rendering and the photo are the current building, before the
$2 billion expansion, which may not be enough according to Spitzer.

The total budget for the City of Buffalo this year is just over $1.1 billion and Spitzer is worried that a $2 billion expansion of this convention center is not enough. 

Source: NY1: Politics

SOUTHERN ARIZONA (SGT NEWS) - Texas Representative Ron Paul, one of Congress’ last remaining limited government and strict constitutional believers, plans on making his anticipated presidential run official Monday morning during an airing of C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal”, a call-in program.

The show will be on C-SPAN tomorrow morning, March 12, and runs from 7:30 am to 8:00 am.  Don’t miss it!

The National Taxpayers Union consistently ranks Dr. Paul first in his class on issues of taxation. Paul refers to himself as “The Taxpayers’ Best Friend” and promises to lower taxes on the American people and eliminate some taxes, such as the estate, capital gains and inheritance taxes.

Source: SmallGovTimes.com :: Ron Paul to officially announce presidential candidacy Monday