Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
You really can't compare states in a uniform manner. For instance, some states might classify their public education workers as state employees. Others might not. Some states are constitutionally BIG government. Lotteries, Authorities, income tax agents, etc. Larger ratios reflect a big government culture as well as poor fiscal management.
A government should be "rated" on whether it's as small as it can be. Under our constitution, Nevada small government could be legally had for a biennial budget as low as $80M/yr. That's right. Currently, Nevada spending is running ~$2.5B/yr (in line with revenues). That's ~30X the minimum.
Are we as good as we can be?
Not even close.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
What Gets CCSD Backers Upset? Poor *Political* Performance!
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Year in/out, CCSD performance is awful. So what generates the most popular outrage?
Any member of an education special interest group -- CCEA, Administrators, 18 year old 8th graders, bond salesmen, architects, construction contractors, etc should be PROHIBITED from voting. Democracy is not supposed to equal MOB RULE.
Even if CCSD switched to year-round, 24x7 operation, performance would *still* be horrible. The only solution is to get the government OUT of education. The private sector is perfectly capable of providing enough classrooms to satisfy the demand for education services. For all parents who desire it. For all tastes and pricepoints.
Year in/out, CCSD performance is awful. So what generates the most popular outrage?
- Architectural bidding process
- Choice of high school musical
- Football fees
- School naming
- In/sufficient diversity
- Holocaust education/denial
Any member of an education special interest group -- CCEA, Administrators, 18 year old 8th graders, bond salesmen, architects, construction contractors, etc should be PROHIBITED from voting. Democracy is not supposed to equal MOB RULE.
Even if CCSD switched to year-round, 24x7 operation, performance would *still* be horrible. The only solution is to get the government OUT of education. The private sector is perfectly capable of providing enough classrooms to satisfy the demand for education services. For all parents who desire it. For all tastes and pricepoints.
Why Architects Support CCSD
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Here we go again. Public education is a *political* institution.
Here we go again. Public education is a *political* institution.
- Architects see design concepts.
- Unions see jobs at prevailing wage.
- Municipal bond underwriters see fees.
- Lawyers see cases.
- on and on and on.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Why Do We Allow CCSD To Dehumanize Special Kids?
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The district spend $38,998 a year per student at the school, which compares to the district average of $7,546.33 per student.
Fuzzy accounting. CCSD spends > $10,000/yr per average student. That's right.
Why do we even let CCSD get its hands on these special kids? The Nevada constitution requires that the state provide benevolent institutions to take care of residents with severe challenges. And it does.
The constitution established public education for poor kids who want a education but otherwise wouldn't have a chance. Like most government agencies, CCSD is neglecting its limited legal mission (in this instance, to teach the 3R's to poor kids) while expaning into roles which it is NOT authorized.
It's all about the money.
Furthermore, why would anyone want to sentence such kids to the incompetent CCSD? Their parents aren't looking to teach them *football* skills. CCSD can't even teach the 3R's to "normal" kids. What makes you think they can accomplish anything with kids who have real problems? I'd sooner trust the Dept of Corrections to do a better job.
The district spend $38,998 a year per student at the school, which compares to the district average of $7,546.33 per student.
Fuzzy accounting. CCSD spends > $10,000/yr per average student. That's right.
Why do we even let CCSD get its hands on these special kids? The Nevada constitution requires that the state provide benevolent institutions to take care of residents with severe challenges. And it does.
The constitution established public education for poor kids who want a education but otherwise wouldn't have a chance. Like most government agencies, CCSD is neglecting its limited legal mission (in this instance, to teach the 3R's to poor kids) while expaning into roles which it is NOT authorized.
It's all about the money.
Furthermore, why would anyone want to sentence such kids to the incompetent CCSD? Their parents aren't looking to teach them *football* skills. CCSD can't even teach the 3R's to "normal" kids. What makes you think they can accomplish anything with kids who have real problems? I'd sooner trust the Dept of Corrections to do a better job.
We're Not Fooled
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
We homeschool. It's not for everyone, but I STRONGLY urge parents to avoid public school.
We have a MUCH better familiarity with public education than *most* CCSD parents. We know a lot of public *and* private school parents. We have perspective. We've heard all the pedagogies. The bureaucratic forms, conferences, busywork, sensitivities, politics, etc. We see the textbooks and homework assignments. We read about the poor public school test scores. We compare all this against what our kids are doing.
We hear all the horror stories. One friend's bright, eager kid recently came home in tears after being humiliated in front of the class, a spectacle courtesy of a "credentialed" teacher in a "good" public school. Another friend's kid was actually reprimanded for READING in class. Not joking.
Private schools have negatives also, but at least they have strong feedback mechanisms. One friend was so angry at her son's $>20,000/yr private school (for "labeling" him) that she pulled him out and issued a STOP PAY on tuition installment check! Be sure the Headmaster got the message. Public school parents have no real alternative, and I'm forced to pay for it.
We homeschool. It's not for everyone, but I STRONGLY urge parents to avoid public school.
We have a MUCH better familiarity with public education than *most* CCSD parents. We know a lot of public *and* private school parents. We have perspective. We've heard all the pedagogies. The bureaucratic forms, conferences, busywork, sensitivities, politics, etc. We see the textbooks and homework assignments. We read about the poor public school test scores. We compare all this against what our kids are doing.
We hear all the horror stories. One friend's bright, eager kid recently came home in tears after being humiliated in front of the class, a spectacle courtesy of a "credentialed" teacher in a "good" public school. Another friend's kid was actually reprimanded for READING in class. Not joking.
Private schools have negatives also, but at least they have strong feedback mechanisms. One friend was so angry at her son's $>20,000/yr private school (for "labeling" him) that she pulled him out and issued a STOP PAY on tuition installment check! Be sure the Headmaster got the message. Public school parents have no real alternative, and I'm forced to pay for it.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Public Education: Race to the Bottom
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The free market is characterized by innovation and continuous improvement. Today's Rancho HS should be WAY better than the one you graduated from in the 70's. Better teachers, more effective techniques, abundant technological resources, etc with equally dramatic jumps in price/performance. Like semiconductors.
So, golly gee. Stop waxing nostalgic about your old public high school. Government control of education means that sooner or later your favorite neighborhood school will go right down the tubes, and WON'T come back.
The free market is characterized by innovation and continuous improvement. Today's Rancho HS should be WAY better than the one you graduated from in the 70's. Better teachers, more effective techniques, abundant technological resources, etc with equally dramatic jumps in price/performance. Like semiconductors.
So, golly gee. Stop waxing nostalgic about your old public high school. Government control of education means that sooner or later your favorite neighborhood school will go right down the tubes, and WON'T come back.
Why Public Schools Exist
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Public education in this state was set up as a "safety net". The constitutional minimum is one little red schoolhouse per district (18 statewide). Attendance was optional by default. Yet
The special interests should save your political activism for your private clubs or RJ Forums.
*Public* schools should do one thing and one thing only. Teach the 3R's. Let me know when CCSD figures out how to do that.
Public education in this state was set up as a "safety net". The constitutional minimum is one little red schoolhouse per district (18 statewide). Attendance was optional by default. Yet
- veterans want it to build memorials
- union members want it to make jobs
- football fanatics want it to score touchdowns
- consultants and municipal bond underwriters want it to generate fees
- (Draft) Board members want it to make "statements"
- and on and on and on
The special interests should save your political activism for your private clubs or RJ Forums.
*Public* schools should do one thing and one thing only. Teach the 3R's. Let me know when CCSD figures out how to do that.
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