Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Some have suggested breaking up CCSD into a handful of smaller districts.
Start by dividing CCSD in two. Give one half to Rogers and the other half to Rulffes. Equal census, demographics, etc. Normalize for all the factors. Wait 5 years, then standardize test the two districts. No significant difference will be observed. Results for *both* groups will be dreadful.
Repeat the experiment with any two Superintendents of your choice. Bill Gates, Elaine Wynn, Ken Guinn, etc. No difference will be observed. Choice of Superintendent does *not* matter.
Then test the funding variable. Give one district $20,000/kid, the other $4,000 per. No difference.
Test the "alternative" model. Turn all the schools into charters, magnets, empowerments, etc. No difference.
Why so incorrigible? Public schools have to comply with *thousands* of education regulations. Private schools are free to innovate. Most don't, but at least they have a chance.
Get rid of all the ridiculous reguations -- starting with compulsory attendance. Give us 15,000 small districts. Each one a little red schoolhouse.
Showing posts with label Rulffes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rulffes. Show all posts
Monday, May 17, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Farewell Rulffes
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
CCSD has *dozens* of competing constituencies. CCSD has *thousands* of regulations controlling it. The best candidate for Superintendent is someone with *political* skills.
Someone PC. Someone who can utter all the right platitudes to whichever audience s/he's in front of. Someone who can deal with the Legislature.
Yes, Rulffes is a dope, but he's well-suited for the job. I'm sorry to see him go.
CCSD has *dozens* of competing constituencies. CCSD has *thousands* of regulations controlling it. The best candidate for Superintendent is someone with *political* skills.
Someone PC. Someone who can utter all the right platitudes to whichever audience s/he's in front of. Someone who can deal with the Legislature.
Yes, Rulffes is a dope, but he's well-suited for the job. I'm sorry to see him go.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Ronald McDonal For CCSD Superintendent
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
It doesn't matter who replaces Rulffes. NOTHING will change. Why should a bureaucracy controlled by Rogers or Rhoust be any better than one controlled by Rulffes?
On a personal level, Rogers is quite a demagogue. Someone less pompous (and cheaper) would be better.
My personal favorite is a poster named 'Jack' who sometimes lurks in CCSD-related fora. My second choice is Ronald McDonald. He's great with kids, has enterprise experience, and he is already familiar with McEducation products.
It doesn't matter who replaces Rulffes. NOTHING will change. Why should a bureaucracy controlled by Rogers or Rhoust be any better than one controlled by Rulffes?
On a personal level, Rogers is quite a demagogue. Someone less pompous (and cheaper) would be better.
My personal favorite is a poster named 'Jack' who sometimes lurks in CCSD-related fora. My second choice is Ronald McDonald. He's great with kids, has enterprise experience, and he is already familiar with McEducation products.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Public School Regulations
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Changes in school calendars are currently based on a complex formula based on class sizes and at least two years of demographic patterns in a school zone
There are *thousands* of school regulations. Some of them (like this "complex formula") are just silly. Many are outright *destructive* (like compulsory attendance). Rulffes' replacement is going to have to ensure compliance with every one of them -- or else hire lawyers to seek exemptions. Public education is CATASTROPHE and CANNOT be reformed.
We homeschool. We never close.
Carrying lunch trays in the wind. Really.
Changes in school calendars are currently based on a complex formula based on class sizes and at least two years of demographic patterns in a school zone
There are *thousands* of school regulations. Some of them (like this "complex formula") are just silly. Many are outright *destructive* (like compulsory attendance). Rulffes' replacement is going to have to ensure compliance with every one of them -- or else hire lawyers to seek exemptions. Public education is CATASTROPHE and CANNOT be reformed.
We homeschool. We never close.
Carrying lunch trays in the wind. Really.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Public Education: Everywhere A DISASTER
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Florida's fourth graders -- whose test scores essentially matched ours in 1998 -- are now a full grade level ahead of ours
Statistics.
Last week RJ published a story about 4th grade scores on federal government standardized reading tests.
Yes, NV and FL were at opposite poles, but overall not too far apart.
Yes, FL's score (226) was higher than most, but ND matched it. VA was even *higher* (227), and a few states came close (OH, NY, PA, MO, etc). How many of *those* states follow FL's model?
I oppose federal involvement in K-12, however if the 2009, 4th grade test results show anything, it's that public education is *everywhere* a CATASTROPHE.
NPRI has a pro-alternative government school agenda. If NPRI had a dental health agenda they would have attributed FL's statistical rise in test scores to water fluoridation.
Florida's fourth graders -- whose test scores essentially matched ours in 1998 -- are now a full grade level ahead of ours
Statistics.
Last week RJ published a story about 4th grade scores on federal government standardized reading tests.
Yes, NV and FL were at opposite poles, but overall not too far apart.
Yes, FL's score (226) was higher than most, but ND matched it. VA was even *higher* (227), and a few states came close (OH, NY, PA, MO, etc). How many of *those* states follow FL's model?
I oppose federal involvement in K-12, however if the 2009, 4th grade test results show anything, it's that public education is *everywhere* a CATASTROPHE.
NPRI has a pro-alternative government school agenda. If NPRI had a dental health agenda they would have attributed FL's statistical rise in test scores to water fluoridation.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
CCSD's Suggestion Box
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Don't take that ridiculous survey. It just gives Rulffes an excuse to hire more IT people to build the web application, statisticians to analyze the data, and SGML document processors to produce the final report.
Then it goes in Rulffes' trash can. Along with your child's education.
Don't take that ridiculous survey. It just gives Rulffes an excuse to hire more IT people to build the web application, statisticians to analyze the data, and SGML document processors to produce the final report.
Then it goes in Rulffes' trash can. Along with your child's education.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Small Government Manifesto
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
I oppose BIG government and the high taxes necessary to pay for it. If we had small government in this state, the biennial budget could be set as low as $80M/yr. Existing mining taxes and ~3 weeks of sales taxes would cover it. That's right.
The Nevada Constitution REQUIRES that the State fund:
That's all. The legislature could simply vote everything else out of existence. Bye bye NSHE dunderhead jocks, junk depts, NFL/NBA/MLB-pay scale coaches, GM executive pay scale campus officials, etc. Bye bye $400K mental hospital shrinks and prison doctors. Bye bye Dairy Commission, Taxicab Authority, and dozens of other ridiculous bureaucracies.
Bye bye Rulffes and his *catastrophic* CCSD. No more sinecures for DEM union members and lucrative contracts for GOP service firms. No more left wing indoctrination of "tolerance". No more right wing indoctrination of "abstinence". No more RD-certified junk food in cafeteria, and Phd-certified junk science texts in classrooms.
Tax revenues are currently running ~$2.4B/yr. The legislature spends ~ALL of it on pork. Send us REBATE checks instead. ~$1,000 per resident. Either that or eliminate business taxes, gaming taxes, entertainment taxes, etc.
I oppose BIG government and the high taxes necessary to pay for it. If we had small government in this state, the biennial budget could be set as low as $80M/yr. Existing mining taxes and ~3 weeks of sales taxes would cover it. That's right.
The Nevada Constitution REQUIRES that the State fund:
- The 3 Branches. A small government legislature would only need to meet 1 wk per 2 yrs. Token honoraria; no PERS. ($50K)
- One public school/district (18 statewide). $125K/school. (~$2M).
- Prisons and juvie. Budget opaque. Too many non-violents in jail. Release them.
- A militia. One CO ($50K); the rest Reserves.
- Institutions for mental patients and handicapped. Budget opaque. Could probably be cut by 80%.
- Three endowed UNR departments (Mining, Agriculture, and Engineering). Tuition pays for everything else. ($0).
- Assorted bureaucracies like AG, Sec of State, State Superintendent, etc. (<$10M)
That's all. The legislature could simply vote everything else out of existence. Bye bye NSHE dunderhead jocks, junk depts, NFL/NBA/MLB-pay scale coaches, GM executive pay scale campus officials, etc. Bye bye $400K mental hospital shrinks and prison doctors. Bye bye Dairy Commission, Taxicab Authority, and dozens of other ridiculous bureaucracies.
Bye bye Rulffes and his *catastrophic* CCSD. No more sinecures for DEM union members and lucrative contracts for GOP service firms. No more left wing indoctrination of "tolerance". No more right wing indoctrination of "abstinence". No more RD-certified junk food in cafeteria, and Phd-certified junk science texts in classrooms.
Tax revenues are currently running ~$2.4B/yr. The legislature spends ~ALL of it on pork. Send us REBATE checks instead. ~$1,000 per resident. Either that or eliminate business taxes, gaming taxes, entertainment taxes, etc.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
CCSD is a POLITICAL Institution
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
The constituency for the 3R's fled to the private schools long ago.
- Dramaramas want it to score left wing musicals
- Footballers want it to score touchdowns
- Veterans want it to score memorials
- (Draft) Board members want it to help consultants (friends) to score financially
- Students want it to help themselves score romantically
The constituency for the 3R's fled to the private schools long ago.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Rulffes Up For National Award
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Two of Rulffes' competitors are EQUALLY incompetent. Had CCSD performance dropped even LOWER, Rulffes would be a shoe-in.
Levey's district (Tuscaloosa City) is a joke. Only ~17% of its students exceed her district's unimpressive high school graduation requirements. Though .33/.15 of her 8th graders score "Advanced" on Alabama's state reading/math assessment, national standards (a bad idea) reveal how loaded these state measures can be. Her students score BELOW the national average on SAT-10.
Stevenson's district (Jefferson County, CO) gives Rulffes a run for his money. Less than 10% of kids score "Advanced" on CO's pedestrian math/reading assessments. ~1/2 score poorly.
Morgan's district (Washington County, MD) fares a little better. About 1/3 of the kids rate "advanced" on her state's assessment. No SAT-10 data available.
Public education is a CATASTROPHE and cannot be reformed.
Two of Rulffes' competitors are EQUALLY incompetent. Had CCSD performance dropped even LOWER, Rulffes would be a shoe-in.
Levey's district (Tuscaloosa City) is a joke. Only ~17% of its students exceed her district's unimpressive high school graduation requirements. Though .33/.15 of her 8th graders score "Advanced" on Alabama's state reading/math assessment, national standards (a bad idea) reveal how loaded these state measures can be. Her students score BELOW the national average on SAT-10.
Stevenson's district (Jefferson County, CO) gives Rulffes a run for his money. Less than 10% of kids score "Advanced" on CO's pedestrian math/reading assessments. ~1/2 score poorly.
Morgan's district (Washington County, MD) fares a little better. About 1/3 of the kids rate "advanced" on her state's assessment. No SAT-10 data available.
Public education is a CATASTROPHE and cannot be reformed.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
While CCSD Fails, Rulffes Ponders Bureaucratic Minutia
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Rulffes said the schools might be restructured as empowerment schools .. He wasn't sure if the schools would necessarily be classified as empowerment schools.
That's why we pay him the big bucks. Maybe Rulffes should hire a consultant to study the issue?
Rulffes said the schools might be restructured as empowerment schools .. He wasn't sure if the schools would necessarily be classified as empowerment schools.
That's why we pay him the big bucks. Maybe Rulffes should hire a consultant to study the issue?
Monday, December 21, 2009
CCSD's Good Students Are Being Cheated
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Many students achieve in SPITE of CCSD. The *typical* student is being horribly cheated. Unfortunately, he won't realize it until he struggles with more rigorous college programs or has to compete in the workplace against those who were better prepared.
You can blame CCSD's problems on the (Draft) Board if you like. And it's true. They *are* a bunch of idiots. But what do you think would happen if you replaced them with the Directors of Warren Buffett's firm?
Not much.
CCSD would *still* have to comply with all these regulations covering attendance, finance, testing, discrimination, Title X/X+1/X+2..., and on and on and on.
They could never find (much less recruit) a Superintendent capable of satisfying all the legalities and political constituencies, who could also deliver excellent student performance. Not even with a compensation package worth $100M per year. The best *anyone* can do is to hire politicians like Rulffes and Garcia.
Many students achieve in SPITE of CCSD. The *typical* student is being horribly cheated. Unfortunately, he won't realize it until he struggles with more rigorous college programs or has to compete in the workplace against those who were better prepared.
You can blame CCSD's problems on the (Draft) Board if you like. And it's true. They *are* a bunch of idiots. But what do you think would happen if you replaced them with the Directors of Warren Buffett's firm?
Not much.
CCSD would *still* have to comply with all these regulations covering attendance, finance, testing, discrimination, Title X/X+1/X+2..., and on and on and on.
They could never find (much less recruit) a Superintendent capable of satisfying all the legalities and political constituencies, who could also deliver excellent student performance. Not even with a compensation package worth $100M per year. The best *anyone* can do is to hire politicians like Rulffes and Garcia.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Homeschooling Avoids Trouble
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
We homeschool.
No funny business. No kid-kid sex, teacher-kid sex or sex ed. No background checks or paid leaves. No baggy jeans or hoochy skirts. No PussyCat Dolls or gangsta' rap. No magnets, empowerments or charters.
NO RULFFES.
Just quality education for a fraction of the time/money CCSD requires.
We homeschool.
No funny business. No kid-kid sex, teacher-kid sex or sex ed. No background checks or paid leaves. No baggy jeans or hoochy skirts. No PussyCat Dolls or gangsta' rap. No magnets, empowerments or charters.
NO RULFFES.
Just quality education for a fraction of the time/money CCSD requires.
Friday, December 11, 2009
How To Get Rulffes' Attention
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
I didn't know that were NRS for public school gum chewing and cell phone usage. There must even be green regulations specifying the cotton content of the paper being pushed around by all the bureaucrats. How can anyone take this stuff seriously?
We homeschool. No bake sales, RD-certified junk food, Ritilin, suspensions, forms, conferences, etc. No funny business; just learning. Kids doing fine, thanks. All for a FRACTION of what CCSD gets per kid. And we don't cost taxpayers a cent. Indeed, we buy are own materials and PAY sales tax on them.
Do yourselves a favor. The next time a drone pulls you out of work to tell you that your kid is suspended for being a kid, tell him you're NOT COMING BACK -- especially if they're in elementary grades. Once CCSD starts losing headcount (per capita state funds) over these peccadillos they'll become a lot more flexible about enforcing them.
I didn't know that were NRS for public school gum chewing and cell phone usage. There must even be green regulations specifying the cotton content of the paper being pushed around by all the bureaucrats. How can anyone take this stuff seriously?
We homeschool. No bake sales, RD-certified junk food, Ritilin, suspensions, forms, conferences, etc. No funny business; just learning. Kids doing fine, thanks. All for a FRACTION of what CCSD gets per kid. And we don't cost taxpayers a cent. Indeed, we buy are own materials and PAY sales tax on them.
Do yourselves a favor. The next time a drone pulls you out of work to tell you that your kid is suspended for being a kid, tell him you're NOT COMING BACK -- especially if they're in elementary grades. Once CCSD starts losing headcount (per capita state funds) over these peccadillos they'll become a lot more flexible about enforcing them.
Meet The New Board. Same As the Old Board
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
You can blame CCSD's problems on the (Draft) Board if you like. And it's true. They *are* a bunch of idiots. But what do you think would happen if you replaced them with the Directors of Warren Buffett's firm?
Not much.
CCSD would *still* have to comply with all these regulations covering attendance, finance, testing, hiring, affirmative action, diversity, naming, harassment, Title X/X+1/X+2..., and on and on and on.
They could never find (much less recruit) a Superintendent capable of satisfying all the legalities and political constituencies, who could also deliver excellent student performance. Not even with a compensation package worth $100M per year. The best *anyone* can do is to hire politicians like Rulffes and Garcia.
You can blame CCSD's problems on the (Draft) Board if you like. And it's true. They *are* a bunch of idiots. But what do you think would happen if you replaced them with the Directors of Warren Buffett's firm?
Not much.
CCSD would *still* have to comply with all these regulations covering attendance, finance, testing, hiring, affirmative action, diversity, naming, harassment, Title X/X+1/X+2..., and on and on and on.
They could never find (much less recruit) a Superintendent capable of satisfying all the legalities and political constituencies, who could also deliver excellent student performance. Not even with a compensation package worth $100M per year. The best *anyone* can do is to hire politicians like Rulffes and Garcia.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Derelict Rulffes
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Rulffes said We would be derelict in our duties if we did not aggressively go after grant money for our students.
I don't care about the bureaucratic derelictions CCSD will be guilty of in the future. CCSD is now, always has been, and always WILL BE derelict in its primary duty to teach the 3R's. Maybe if Rulffes wasn't so busy chasing after unconstitutional federal education grants he would recognize that.
Rulffes said We would be derelict in our duties if we did not aggressively go after grant money for our students.
I don't care about the bureaucratic derelictions CCSD will be guilty of in the future. CCSD is now, always has been, and always WILL BE derelict in its primary duty to teach the 3R's. Maybe if Rulffes wasn't so busy chasing after unconstitutional federal education grants he would recognize that.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
CCSD Board Of Chimps
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The CCSD Board is a bunch of clowns. They remind of that that chotzkee with the three chimpanzees "see no evil .." They're just a bunch of power mongers -- the sort of folks who used to sit on DRAFT boards. These politically correct imbeciles will only choose bureaucrats like Rulffes; never anyone who actually *knows* anything. Is it any surprise that CCSD graduates can't even read their own diplomas?
The CCSD Board is a bunch of clowns. They remind of that that chotzkee with the three chimpanzees "see no evil .." They're just a bunch of power mongers -- the sort of folks who used to sit on DRAFT boards. These politically correct imbeciles will only choose bureaucrats like Rulffes; never anyone who actually *knows* anything. Is it any surprise that CCSD graduates can't even read their own diplomas?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
CCSD Throws TD Passes To Football. Crumbs To Academics.
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Rulffes said "We have librarians, P.E. (physical education) aides, computer specialists, counselors. We have arts and music. We only have minimal impact on sports. I believe, for the funding, the public is getting a good bang for its buck."
Why does CCSD need librarians? The kids can't read. PE? The kids are sugar-filled marshmallows. The kids don't need Computer Specialists to help them play video games. Those pathetic counselors are the ones responsible for this mania about passing flunkards in order to guard their self-esteem.
What is this emphasis on sports? If boys want to play football, they can join Pop Warner. School is supposed to be about the 3R's, not PP&K. Of course, CCSD is all about *politics*, so that means maintaining popular support for itself through any means necessary, especially football. And you can hire a good piano teacher to come to your house for only ~$25/hr.
If Rulffes thinks we're getting good bang for the buck, then I wonder what he considers a *bad* deal.
Rulffes said "We have librarians, P.E. (physical education) aides, computer specialists, counselors. We have arts and music. We only have minimal impact on sports. I believe, for the funding, the public is getting a good bang for its buck."
Why does CCSD need librarians? The kids can't read. PE? The kids are sugar-filled marshmallows. The kids don't need Computer Specialists to help them play video games. Those pathetic counselors are the ones responsible for this mania about passing flunkards in order to guard their self-esteem.
What is this emphasis on sports? If boys want to play football, they can join Pop Warner. School is supposed to be about the 3R's, not PP&K. Of course, CCSD is all about *politics*, so that means maintaining popular support for itself through any means necessary, especially football. And you can hire a good piano teacher to come to your house for only ~$25/hr.
If Rulffes thinks we're getting good bang for the buck, then I wonder what he considers a *bad* deal.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Rulffes Wins Superintendent of the Year
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
.. according to the Nevada Association of School Administrators.
The award recognizes failure.
.. according to the Nevada Association of School Administrators.
The award recognizes failure.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Rulffes Named Best Superintendent in Nevada
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
According to the Nevada Association of School Administrators.
The best superintendent should be the operator of the private school with the largest market share. Rulffes's *competitive* share would consistently rank near the bottom, along side Dugan. Time to expose the frauds.
According to the Nevada Association of School Administrators.
The best superintendent should be the operator of the private school with the largest market share. Rulffes's *competitive* share would consistently rank near the bottom, along side Dugan. Time to expose the frauds.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
NV Spelling-Bee Champ Is Homeschooled
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The home-schooled eighth-grader correctly spelled cecity, which means blindness, and crocus, which is a type of flower, to advance to the fourth round of competition
Somehow, I missed the preliminary story. Congratulations to all the competitors. You kids are definitely NOT wasting Nevada taxpayers money, unlike the orangutans who make fun of you for being so smart. Good luck Tussah. You're making all of us proud.
There must be many good spellers attending public school, but as commenter Homeschool pointed out, any kid who tries to read the dictionary during some "more important" class function will be reprimanded. I actually *know* someone like this. This short, geeky and very bright young man, who is constantly teased by his classmates, was actually scolded by his teacher for reading his book (Potter?) in class! She made him put it away. One can imagine the sort of crucial lesson she had in store for the class. CCSD kids who succeed do so in spite of Rulffes.
The home-schooled eighth-grader correctly spelled cecity, which means blindness, and crocus, which is a type of flower, to advance to the fourth round of competition
Somehow, I missed the preliminary story. Congratulations to all the competitors. You kids are definitely NOT wasting Nevada taxpayers money, unlike the orangutans who make fun of you for being so smart. Good luck Tussah. You're making all of us proud.
There must be many good spellers attending public school, but as commenter Homeschool pointed out, any kid who tries to read the dictionary during some "more important" class function will be reprimanded. I actually *know* someone like this. This short, geeky and very bright young man, who is constantly teased by his classmates, was actually scolded by his teacher for reading his book (Potter?) in class! She made him put it away. One can imagine the sort of crucial lesson she had in store for the class. CCSD kids who succeed do so in spite of Rulffes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)