tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post3891776205229499367..comments2023-11-03T10:47:51.717-04:00Comments on GEORGIA WOMEN VOTE!: Childbirth Creates Education ExpertsAmy Mortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788827541049928217noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post-80221417335655451222007-02-13T20:27:00.000-05:002007-02-13T20:27:00.000-05:00During the many years I spent in education, a lot ...During the many years I spent in education, a lot of it was spent trying to comply with the latest legislative fiats. I saw one grandiose plan after another. Each change put teachers and administrators in a flurry. No changes ever penetrated down to the level of the students, who couldn't tell you QBE from RIP on PDQ. Way too much time is spent on testing. The writing test, for example, could be subsumed in the language arts test. It has become a cottage industry for grad students and faculty wives in Athens, who are advised to grade it "holistically." Not enough time is spent on individualizing to the needs of the students. They are not ALL ALIKE in talents, interests, or testing ability, and they will never be made to all learn the same skills. By the bell curve, 49 percent are "below average" on whatever you test for, whatever way you want to look at it. A lot of high school kids who basically need a different kind of education are being discouraged and drop out because of the high school graduation tests. I personally would like to see any member of the Legislature take and pass those tests !! Will give a prize of $100 to the first one who does so! There, I put it in writing for all the world to see!<BR/>But I ramble.....Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16764566800701618387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post-75732891157074439932007-02-12T13:06:00.000-05:002007-02-12T13:06:00.000-05:00That sounds about right, Chris. The funding formul...That sounds about right, Chris. The funding formula is so complicated that, what, three people in the whole state really understand it? I am not one of them and only know enough to know I don't fully understand it. The complicated formula makes end-runs like this possible. They can duck responsibility and no one is the wiser.Amy Mortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788827541049928217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post-67795243696233642532007-02-12T11:49:00.000-05:002007-02-12T11:49:00.000-05:00They have underfunded the QBE formula every year t...They have underfunded the QBE formula every year they have been in charge in Atlanta. My guess is most of these bills are stalking horses to get them in QBE compliance (or at least close to it).<BR/><BR/>For example, if we underfund QBE by 5%, lets just make the school year 5% shorter and viola QBE is no longer underfunded...Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00905731340820089772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post-68065403201047008472007-02-11T19:53:00.000-05:002007-02-11T19:53:00.000-05:00Education in Georgia is not going to get any bette...Education in Georgia is not going to get any better if we don't (1) do something about poor health and poverty (2) pay more attention to research studies on how deprived children learn best. Nobody is ready to learn if he/she has a toothache, needs glasses, stayed up until 2 am the previous night, and has had poor nutrition and poor general health care. I worked in a rural county for many years and can vouch for the fact that many kids need glasses, have never been to the dentist, do not get regular meals, and do not keep regular hours.Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16764566800701618387noreply@blogger.com