Bummer camp

Given the overwhelming body of evidence that points to the power or high quality early childhood education, it saddens us to think that there are "coveted spots" and that parents have to pitch tents to get kids into kindergarten classrooms. This investment pays high dividends and the folks in Sacramento need to be provided with unfettered access. We would advocate that all of the parents "occupy" the school grounds until all children are registered.

STORY: Parents Camp For Kindergarten Registration At Lincoln Crossing Elementary School In California (VIDEO)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTcbfarzZNhs0mXR5KnYjZlu2U3u8764tHEWCF8QmowOC5jtXCWww" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTcbfarzZNhs0mXR5KnYjZlu2U3u8764tHEWCF8QmowOC5jtXCWww" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Given the overwhelming body of evidence that points to the power or high quality early childhood education, it saddens us to think that there are "coveted spots" and that parents have to pitch tents to get kids into kindergarten classrooms. This investment pays high dividends and the folks in Sacramento need to be provided with unfettered access. We would advocate that all of the parents "occupy" the school grounds until all children are registered.<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/13/parents-camp-kindergarten-registration-lincoln-crossing-elementary_n_1341675.html?ref=education&ir=Education">Parents Camp For Kindergarten Registration At Lincoln Crossing Elementary School In California (VIDEO)</a>

Silly putty

Talk about getting perky with a health care perk! Buffalo public school teachers have a sweet health care rider that provides any plastic surgery procedure, including botox and tummy tucks at a cost of nearly 5.2 million dollars to the school district last year alone. The teacher's union is not really interested in negotiating on this coverage, even though budgets are tough and teachers have been laid off. While we fully support health care coverage, this has morphed into a ridiculous burden on taxpayers and the millions of dollars going to a booming cosmetic surgery industry in Buffalo ought to be invested in the students.

STORY: Buffalo, New York Teachers Get Free Plastic Surgery (VIDEO)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQscvTRqiB3BcNfc14QjyFd7rM5uU2znSKF5JBftaFGkGKkeH5r-Q" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQscvTRqiB3BcNfc14QjyFd7rM5uU2znSKF5JBftaFGkGKkeH5r-Q" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Talk about getting perky with a health care perk! Buffalo public school teachers have a sweet health care rider that provides any plastic surgery procedure, including botox and tummy tucks at a cost of nearly 5.2 million dollars to the school district last year alone. The teacher's union is not really interested in negotiating on this coverage, even though budgets are tough and teachers have been laid off. While we fully support health care coverage, this has morphed into a ridiculous burden on taxpayers and the millions of dollars going to a booming cosmetic surgery industry in Buffalo ought to be invested in the students.<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/28/buffalo-new-york-teachers-get-free-plastic-surgery_n_1306896.html">Buffalo, New York Teachers Get Free Plastic Surgery (VIDEO)</a>

Slash and burn

The Michigan budget surplus was highly touted by GOP presidential hopeful and Flip-flopper in Chief Mitt Romney. Mitt not only likes the size of the trees in Michigan...he loves the down-sized education budget pushed through by Governor Rick Snyder. We can expect the same under Romney...cut education funding at a time when we need to invest more heavily in public education.

STORY: As Michigan Primary Nears, Mitt Romney, Gov. Rick Snyder Praise Budget -- Despite Education Cuts

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTjWuGkvEvI616Uq98CYYtx3CmGgyJiaOYrPy2Zv3MZZM8V4EUUBA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTjWuGkvEvI616Uq98CYYtx3CmGgyJiaOYrPy2Zv3MZZM8V4EUUBA" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Michigan budget surplus was highly touted by GOP presidential hopeful and Flip-flopper in Chief Mitt Romney. Mitt not only likes the size of the trees in Michigan...he loves the down-sized education budget pushed through by Governor Rick Snyder. We can expect the same under Romney...cut education funding at a time when we need to invest more heavily in public education.<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/23/michigan-primary-mitt-romney-rick-snyder-education_n_1297554.html">As Michigan Primary Nears, Mitt Romney, Gov. Rick Snyder Praise Budget -- Despite Education Cuts</a>

Cashing in

While this may seem heresy to some, we see great potential in shifting decisions to the consumers...the actual students. Under the proposal, students in grades 9-12 would have $6,400 per year to spend on their customized, individualized plans of study. They could enroll in courses at the public high schools, universities, technical schools and/or public on-line offerings. Any money left unspent would move into an individual account to be used for post-secondary education. Imagine...students selecting classes and teachers as well! Theoretically, great teachers would be in higher demand, perhaps garnering them higher salaries. Poor teachers = less demand= lower salaries. We fully support this debate and always support empowering choice made by students! Power to the pupil as it were.

STORY: Utah Bill Would Give Public Education Money Directly To Student 'Savings Accounts,' Not Schools

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4N4LMS-d_WvYTYTpvKbf-DsWDiB8woG4vxWT1XgpEWkc4tDI67g" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4N4LMS-d_WvYTYTpvKbf-DsWDiB8woG4vxWT1XgpEWkc4tDI67g" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> While this may seem heresy to some, we see great potential in shifting decisions to the consumers...the actual students. Under the proposal, students in grades 9-12 would have $6,400 per year to spend on their customized, individualized plans of study. They could enroll in courses at the public high schools, universities, technical schools and/or public on-line offerings. Any money left unspent would move into an individual account to be used for post-secondary education. Imagine...students selecting classes and teachers as well! Theoretically, great teachers would be in higher demand, perhaps garnering them higher salaries. Poor teachers = less demand= lower salaries. We fully support this debate and always support empowering choice made by students! <b>Power to the pupil</b> as it were.<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/utah-bill-would-give-publ_n_1279978.html">Utah Bill Would Give Public Education Money Directly To Student 'Savings Accounts,' Not Schools</a>

No Child Big Behind

Another "Too big to fail" story. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention  reports that nearly 17% of US children are overweight or obese...a three fold increase over the previous generation. As a result, school furniture manufacturers are seizing on this as a  "growth opportunity" (couldn't resist this) by designing the bigger and better school desk. We are envisioning huge lazy-boys with built-in beverage holders and snack trays. They should continue to profit as long as schools try to solve budget problems by slashing Health and Physical Education Programs, extracurricular wellness programs, limit and/or eliminate recess, and continue to pimp sugary beverages and snacks in the vending machines.

STORY: School Desks Too Small For Obese Children

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTCQHezGvpfSvk0fBL02TXZJL6FJDUvq6bc-fbulamntU8bMbbs" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTCQHezGvpfSvk0fBL02TXZJL6FJDUvq6bc-fbulamntU8bMbbs" width="310" /></a></div> <br /> Another "Too big to fail" story. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention  reports that nearly 17% of US children are overweight or obese...a three fold increase over the previous generation. As a result, school furniture manufacturers are seizing on this as a  "<b>growth opportunity</b>" (couldn't resist this) by designing the bigger and better school desk. <b>We are envisioning huge lazy-boys with built-in beverage holders and snack trays.</b> They should continue to profit as long as schools try to solve budget problems by slashing Health and Physical Education Programs, extracurricular wellness programs, limit and/or eliminate recess, and continue to pimp sugary beverages and snacks in the vending machines.<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/17/school-desks-too-small-for-obese-children_n_1285612.html">School Desks Too Small For Obese Children</a>

The unkindest cut of all

No more pencils, no more books...really! A recent survey of US teens reveals what they have personally experienced as a result of defunding and devaluing public education. Instead of increasing the percentage of our GDP in education, the US continues to lag behind. The result...

• Lack of basic resources
• Lack of texts and computers
• Cuts to extracurricular programs and/or pay to play
• Charged for bus transportation
• Cuts to music, art and PE
• No where to sit in the overcrowded classroom and crumbling infrastructure.

Maybe we need to get Haliburton in the school biz...should see some funding improvement. That is if they aren't too busy building more prisons. No shortage of funding there.

STORY: School Budget Cuts: How Students Say Slashes Are Affecting Them

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jsp/lowres/jspn1l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jsp/lowres/jspn1l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> No more pencils, no more books...really! A recent survey of US teens reveals what they have personally experienced as a result of defunding and devaluing public education. Instead of increasing the percentage of our GDP in education, the US continues to lag behind. The result...<br /> <br /> <ul> <li>Lack of basic resources</li> <li>Lack of texts and computers</li> <li>Cuts to extracurricular programs and/or pay to play</li> <li>Charged for bus transportation</li> <li>Cuts to music, art and PE</li> <li>No where to sit in the overcrowded classroom and crumbling infrastructure.</li> </ul> <div> Maybe we need to get Haliburton in the school biz...should see some funding improvement. That is if they aren't too busy building more prisons. No shortage of funding there.</div> <br /> <br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/14/la-youth_n_1277182.html">School Budget Cuts: How Students Say Slashes Are Affecting Them</a>

Imported from Detroit

We were delighted to watch our President interacting with these young scientists from around the USA and saw video of him firing off one youngster's marshmallow cannon in the White House! Adequate funding for STEM is long overdue...we need to revisit the investment in STEM to rival our post-Sputnik days. So much potential in young minds to tap and enrich! Time to put away the crosswords and seek-and-finds as methods to teach science.

STORY: Detroit Public Schools Students Show STEM Skills At White House Science Fair

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKnZfZRSP_859roXlJ1chVi1qNCR8sM4QfirmgljPCnnUlBKgO" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKnZfZRSP_859roXlJ1chVi1qNCR8sM4QfirmgljPCnnUlBKgO" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> We were delighted to watch our President interacting with these young scientists from around the USA and saw video of him firing off one youngster's marshmallow cannon in the White House! Adequate funding for STEM is long overdue...we need to revisit the investment in STEM to rival our post-Sputnik days. So much potential in young minds to tap and enrich! Time to put away the crosswords and seek-and-finds as methods to teach science.<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/08/detroit-public-schools-white-house-science-fair_n_1263297.html?ref=education&ir=Education">Detroit Public Schools Students Show STEM Skills At White House Science Fair</a>

The great Unequalizer

Long after Brown v Board of Ed I & II school districts resisted equality measures moving forward with "all deliberate speed." A half a century later, the surest way to keep a steady stream of under-educated, inexpensive, and expendable workers is to screw them at the one equalizer that has worked in the past...a quality education. Think of who benefits from disproportionate spending and under-investment in public education...you've got it. The 1% ers!


STORY: Education Gap Grows Between Rich And Poor, Studies Show

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQHihg7pgwOpRhoCyaGrtYighaX2k9xO052FYO8f6nMw0FoObmjEw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQHihg7pgwOpRhoCyaGrtYighaX2k9xO052FYO8f6nMw0FoObmjEw" width="263" /></a></div> <br /> Long after Brown v Board of Ed I & II school districts resisted equality measures moving forward with "all deliberate speed." A half a century later, the surest way to keep a steady stream of under-educated, inexpensive, and expendable workers is to screw them at the one equalizer that has worked in the past...a quality education. Think of who benefits from disproportionate spending and under-investment in public education...you've got it. The 1% ers!<br /> <br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/10/education-gap-grows-betwe_n_1268251.html">Education Gap Grows Between Rich And Poor, Studies Show</a>

Everybody loves Ellen

Like many public schools across the nation, Chester Upland School District is facing hard times. Thanks to PA Governor "Tommy-gun" Corbett, funding for many p[public schools is woefully inadequate. Instead of levying a tax on natural gas production, Tom decided to sacrifice education. Thanks to Ellen Degeneres, teachers at Columbus Elementary School received a check from JC Penney for $100,000 to help. The school district has had to cut 40% of the teaching staff and 50% of the support staff. Teachers are working without pay for as long as they can! We are waiting for the Governor to work without pay as well...as long as he can. Tom got lots of dough from the natural gas industry to support his gubernatorial campaign.

STORY: Sara Ferguson, Pennsylvania Teacher Working For Free, Gets Surprise On Ellen Degeneres Show

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQuvdW1X-HHPg4DCO0tS_8i0SnZQMAbIzw4oNmBgr385wfDvTLaJOSZ1fO2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQuvdW1X-HHPg4DCO0tS_8i0SnZQMAbIzw4oNmBgr385wfDvTLaJOSZ1fO2" width="311" /></a></div> <br /> Like many public schools across the nation, Chester Upland School District is facing hard times. Thanks to PA Governor "Tommy-gun" Corbett, funding for many p[public schools is woefully inadequate. Instead of levying a tax on natural gas production, Tom decided to sacrifice education. Thanks to Ellen Degeneres, teachers at Columbus Elementary School received a check from JC Penney for $100,000 to help. The school district has had to cut 40% of the teaching staff and 50% of the support staff. Teachers are working without pay for as long as they can! We are waiting for the Governor to work without pay as well...as long as he can. Tom got lots of dough from the natural gas industry to support his gubernatorial campaign.<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/sara-ferguson-pennsylvani_n_1250603.html">Sara Ferguson, Pennsylvania Teacher Working For Free, Gets Surprise On Ellen Degeneres Show</a>