Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Private busineses operate during hours most convenient to their customers. Employee scheduling and compensation are adjusted accordingly. Nobody cares.
Government control of education means that even decisions which should be decided by objective measures of customer response -- ie how many students sign up for midnight chemistry -- get *politicized*. The paramount focus on customer convenience gets lost in the debate about air conditioning, bussing, union work rules and PERS.
It would be like Southwest scheduling all their flights to LAS to arrive between 0745-0930 and depart between 1445-1730. Shareholders would *revolt* if management was paralyzed over the foolish question of whether such obviously rigid scheduling should operate for 9 months or year round.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
ESL Students In Your Kids' School
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
a majority of students are limited English speakers who come from low-income families
Recently my wife received an emergency phone call from a PhD scientist friend who was leading a group of 3 kids (including his own son) in some sort of public middle school homework group science project. Our friend is absolutely *dynamite* with kids, passionate about science, and even teaches part-time at a University.
So what's the problem?
Neither the two other kids nor their PARENTS (who were also in the room) understood English. My wife, who speaks Spanish but is not a science person, had to spend two hours providing technical translation! Why are all of these kids in the same class?
This was probably the last straw for my friend. His small, somewhat geeky but very brainy son is constantly bullied at school. Teacher/principal do nothing. The kid is bored to tears by unchallenging work.
Next year, he'll be going to a $22,000/yr *private* school. They're holding a spot for him.
a majority of students are limited English speakers who come from low-income families
Recently my wife received an emergency phone call from a PhD scientist friend who was leading a group of 3 kids (including his own son) in some sort of public middle school homework group science project. Our friend is absolutely *dynamite* with kids, passionate about science, and even teaches part-time at a University.
So what's the problem?
Neither the two other kids nor their PARENTS (who were also in the room) understood English. My wife, who speaks Spanish but is not a science person, had to spend two hours providing technical translation! Why are all of these kids in the same class?
This was probably the last straw for my friend. His small, somewhat geeky but very brainy son is constantly bullied at school. Teacher/principal do nothing. The kid is bored to tears by unchallenging work.
Next year, he'll be going to a $22,000/yr *private* school. They're holding a spot for him.
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.
Monday, April 5, 2010
One School Size Fits All
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
I know that not everyone can afford to pay $25,000/yr to send junior to Kindergarten. The best way to educate the masses is to get the government completely OUT of education. Almost overnight a vibrant, quality, efficient *private* education industry would emerge. For all tastes and pricepoints.
$25/wk schools. Drama schools. Gun schools. Green schools. On and on. NCLB!
The problem is not that people like me don't care about other people's children. It's that parents don't care enough about their OWN children. If they did they wouldn't leave K-12 in the hands of bureaucracies like CCSD.
All the objective evidence shows that the public school kids are being ruined. You public education advocates should be honest enough to admit that it's not "for the children". It's really about the pride you take in feeling morally superior.
I know that not everyone can afford to pay $25,000/yr to send junior to Kindergarten. The best way to educate the masses is to get the government completely OUT of education. Almost overnight a vibrant, quality, efficient *private* education industry would emerge. For all tastes and pricepoints.
$25/wk schools. Drama schools. Gun schools. Green schools. On and on. NCLB!
The problem is not that people like me don't care about other people's children. It's that parents don't care enough about their OWN children. If they did they wouldn't leave K-12 in the hands of bureaucracies like CCSD.
All the objective evidence shows that the public school kids are being ruined. You public education advocates should be honest enough to admit that it's not "for the children". It's really about the pride you take in feeling morally superior.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Nevada Taxpayers Making Hauck Rich
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The trip was organized by Koeberle & Associates, a Pittsburgh-based sports and entertainment marketing agency.
Division 1 makes money for a lot of people. Hauck is making ~$450K. TV broadcast networks sell millions in advertising. Then there are all the sports marketing related firms (like Koeberle) which collect nice fees from negotiating sports/endorsement contracts, merchandising, etc. The football players (officially) work for free. They're not called "dumb jocks" for nothing.
Why do Nevada residents continue to support this abuse?
The trip was organized by Koeberle & Associates, a Pittsburgh-based sports and entertainment marketing agency.
Division 1 makes money for a lot of people. Hauck is making ~$450K. TV broadcast networks sell millions in advertising. Then there are all the sports marketing related firms (like Koeberle) which collect nice fees from negotiating sports/endorsement contracts, merchandising, etc. The football players (officially) work for free. They're not called "dumb jocks" for nothing.
Why do Nevada residents continue to support this abuse?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
NSHE Is Certainly Not A Benevolent Institution
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Lots of confusion out there.
Pro sports leagues are private, for-profit businesses. Profits accrue to the Owners. Players work for the highest bidder. Nothing wrong with that.
True charities are non-profit benevolent organizations. Money leftover after (very low) expenses ("net income") gets distributed to the nominal beneficiaries. I am aware of exactly ONE charity like that.
Most charities are non-profit businesses. There is relatively *little* (~5%) net income because expenses are very high. The money goes to pay for executive salaries, wine-&-cheese parties, and condos in Ft Lauderdale. Even then, distributions are not very discriminating. NSHE comes to mind. Where's its executive retreat?
I hope to influence people, especially those inclined toward small government who've never really thought about NSHE before. It's working.
Hey Klaich, Smatresk, Kruger, Hauck, Livengood, Sandgren et al. We're on to you!
Lots of confusion out there.
Pro sports leagues are private, for-profit businesses. Profits accrue to the Owners. Players work for the highest bidder. Nothing wrong with that.
True charities are non-profit benevolent organizations. Money leftover after (very low) expenses ("net income") gets distributed to the nominal beneficiaries. I am aware of exactly ONE charity like that.
Most charities are non-profit businesses. There is relatively *little* (~5%) net income because expenses are very high. The money goes to pay for executive salaries, wine-&-cheese parties, and condos in Ft Lauderdale. Even then, distributions are not very discriminating. NSHE comes to mind. Where's its executive retreat?
I hope to influence people, especially those inclined toward small government who've never really thought about NSHE before. It's working.
Hey Klaich, Smatresk, Kruger, Hauck, Livengood, Sandgren et al. We're on to you!
Academic Welfare
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The University of Nevada is like a charity. Here's a hint. The beneficiaries are not meant to be its employees.
So what if UNV faculty salaries are not competitive with the private sector. Teaching is a low paying job.
So what is UNV faculty salaries are not competitive with other universities. Why should we copy their mistakes?
So what if UNV Administrative salaries are not competitive with those of their academe peer group or Fortune 500 Executives. The public sector is NOT supposed to be a place to get rich.
UNV is like all those other BIG charities. MDA, Dimes, United Way, etc. ~95% of the money goes to pay for overhead. What is UNV in business for?
The Regents should choose as President (for $1/yr) the guy who can best sell the following:
You know our work rules. We don't pay a lot or offer tenure. We don't do big research or sports. Our main mission is to teach the next generation of applied scientists. Teaching is a sacred task you took upon yourself when you accepted your doctorate. Feel free to pursue your research interests in your spare time. Please join us.
Labor of love. I don't personally know any PhDs who would accept such an offer, but I'm sure there are many who would.
The University of Nevada is like a charity. Here's a hint. The beneficiaries are not meant to be its employees.
So what if UNV faculty salaries are not competitive with the private sector. Teaching is a low paying job.
So what is UNV faculty salaries are not competitive with other universities. Why should we copy their mistakes?
So what if UNV Administrative salaries are not competitive with those of their academe peer group or Fortune 500 Executives. The public sector is NOT supposed to be a place to get rich.
UNV is like all those other BIG charities. MDA, Dimes, United Way, etc. ~95% of the money goes to pay for overhead. What is UNV in business for?
The Regents should choose as President (for $1/yr) the guy who can best sell the following:
You know our work rules. We don't pay a lot or offer tenure. We don't do big research or sports. Our main mission is to teach the next generation of applied scientists. Teaching is a sacred task you took upon yourself when you accepted your doctorate. Feel free to pursue your research interests in your spare time. Please join us.
Labor of love. I don't personally know any PhDs who would accept such an offer, but I'm sure there are many who would.
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