Last night, Senator Barack Obama gave his acceptance speech as the Democratic nominee for President. Here is what the Senator said about education. Next week, we will look at Senator McCain's comments. You can also compare the candidates thoughts on education and see where they stand on a variety of issues important to teachers.
"America, now is not the time for small plans. Now is the time to finally meet our moral obligation to provide every child a world-class education, because it will take nothing less to compete in the global economy.
You know, Michelle and I are only here tonight because we were given a chance at an education. And I will not settle for an America where some kids don't have that chance.
I'll invest in early childhood education. I'll recruit an army of new teachers, and pay them higher salaries, and give them more support. And in exchange, I'll ask for higher standards and more accountability.
And we will keep our promise to every young American: If you commit to serving your community or our country, we will make sure you can afford a college education."
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
HOPE and Poverty
Investing in our children will make a difference in their lives and Oklahoma's future. Businesses will relocate because our children will be educated and better workers. The investment will provide an overall better economy for all of us.
The investment in kids will help break the stranglehold of poverty for many Oklahomans. Here is the latest from the census bureau and remarks and information from the Oklahoma Policy Institute:
Oklahoma Poverty Profile: 2007
A new fact sheet from Oklahoma Policy Institute offers a series of concise numbers and graphs summarizing some of the major findings from the 2007 American Community Survey on poverty in Oklahoma. Among the key findings:
*Nearly one in six Oklahomans (15.9%) lived in poverty in 2007. This is a 1.1 percentage point decrease from 2006 but well above the poverty rate of 2000 (13.8%). Oklahoma's poverty rate is 2.6% percentage points higher than the national average.
*The poverty rate for children (22.1%) is higher than that of working-age adults (14.5%) or seniors (10.1%).
*A majority (62.8%) of Oklahomans in poverty are White;
*Within Oklahoma, Hispanics (29.0%), African-Americans (27.4%), and Native Americans (23.6%) have the highest rates of poverty.
Click here to read and download the 2-page fact sheet.
The investment in kids will help break the stranglehold of poverty for many Oklahomans. Here is the latest from the census bureau and remarks and information from the Oklahoma Policy Institute:
Oklahoma Poverty Profile: 2007
A new fact sheet from Oklahoma Policy Institute offers a series of concise numbers and graphs summarizing some of the major findings from the 2007 American Community Survey on poverty in Oklahoma. Among the key findings:
*Nearly one in six Oklahomans (15.9%) lived in poverty in 2007. This is a 1.1 percentage point decrease from 2006 but well above the poverty rate of 2000 (13.8%). Oklahoma's poverty rate is 2.6% percentage points higher than the national average.
*The poverty rate for children (22.1%) is higher than that of working-age adults (14.5%) or seniors (10.1%).
*A majority (62.8%) of Oklahomans in poverty are White;
*Within Oklahoma, Hispanics (29.0%), African-Americans (27.4%), and Native Americans (23.6%) have the highest rates of poverty.
Click here to read and download the 2-page fact sheet.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Still Flawed Research: Early Education
Wall Street Journal Early Education Commentary is Misleading Reviewer finds rehashed claims have no more merit today than two years ago
EAST LANSING, Mi., (August 25, 2008) -- Contentions in a Wall Street Journal commentary published last Friday (“Protect Our Kids from Preschool,” by Shikha Dalmia and Lisa Snell) rehash arguments Snell and her Reason Foundation colleagues made two years ago in a report that has already been rebutted in a Think Twice review of the report.
W. Steven Barnett, professor and director of the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) at Rutgers University, authored a review of a Reason report making many of these same arguments, explaining that Snell’s report was misleading and ignored important existing research.
The WSJ commentary weighs in on this year’s Presidential campaign and on Senator Obama’s advocacy of universal preschool. Dalmia and Snell denounce the policy as premature and lacking evidentiary support. But these contentions have no more merit today than they did two years ago. According to Professor Barnett, “the commentary makes false and misleading claims based on logical fallacies and analyses that do not meet accepted standards for scientific research while ignoring rigorous research that contradicts their assertions.” Examples of false claims are provided below.
Claim: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores have declined nationally.
Fact: NAEP scores in reading, math, and science have significantly increased since the 1970s for whites, blacks and Hispanics. A rigorous national study by RAND researchers that controls for other state characteristics and policies finds that state preschool education policies increase NAEP scores.
Claim: Fourth grade NAEP scores declined in Georgia and Oklahoma after pre-K for all was introduced.
Fact: NAEP scores in both reading and math rose in Georgia after children who attended universal pre-k reached the 4th grade test. Oklahoma has not offered pre-k to all families long enough to reliably look at the question of its effects on NAEP at fourth grade.
Claim: Research shows that Head Start's effects don't last.
Fact: Some studies report no lasting effects. Other studies, including some that are quite rigorous, find lasting effects.
Claim: Preschool education has not been found to benefit any children but the most disadvantaged.
Fact: Rigorous studies going back to the 1980s have found positive effects for children who are not economically disadvantaged, as have recent rigorous studies of state pre-K programs that are open to all children.
Two Think Twice reviews provide detailed explanations of the how Snell and others have used think tank reports to purvey misinformation about preschool education, distorting the research they do cite while dismissing and ignoring the research that contradicts their claims.
Find the complete review of the 2006 Reason report by W. Steven Barnett as well as a link to the report itself at: http://www.greatlakescenter.org.
Find W. Steven Barnett’s complete review of the 2008 report by Robert Holland and Don Soifer, published by the Lexington Institute as well as a link to the report itself at: http://www.greatlakescenter.org
EAST LANSING, Mi., (August 25, 2008) -- Contentions in a Wall Street Journal commentary published last Friday (“Protect Our Kids from Preschool,” by Shikha Dalmia and Lisa Snell) rehash arguments Snell and her Reason Foundation colleagues made two years ago in a report that has already been rebutted in a Think Twice review of the report.
W. Steven Barnett, professor and director of the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) at Rutgers University, authored a review of a Reason report making many of these same arguments, explaining that Snell’s report was misleading and ignored important existing research.
The WSJ commentary weighs in on this year’s Presidential campaign and on Senator Obama’s advocacy of universal preschool. Dalmia and Snell denounce the policy as premature and lacking evidentiary support. But these contentions have no more merit today than they did two years ago. According to Professor Barnett, “the commentary makes false and misleading claims based on logical fallacies and analyses that do not meet accepted standards for scientific research while ignoring rigorous research that contradicts their assertions.” Examples of false claims are provided below.
Claim: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores have declined nationally.
Fact: NAEP scores in reading, math, and science have significantly increased since the 1970s for whites, blacks and Hispanics. A rigorous national study by RAND researchers that controls for other state characteristics and policies finds that state preschool education policies increase NAEP scores.
Claim: Fourth grade NAEP scores declined in Georgia and Oklahoma after pre-K for all was introduced.
Fact: NAEP scores in both reading and math rose in Georgia after children who attended universal pre-k reached the 4th grade test. Oklahoma has not offered pre-k to all families long enough to reliably look at the question of its effects on NAEP at fourth grade.
Claim: Research shows that Head Start's effects don't last.
Fact: Some studies report no lasting effects. Other studies, including some that are quite rigorous, find lasting effects.
Claim: Preschool education has not been found to benefit any children but the most disadvantaged.
Fact: Rigorous studies going back to the 1980s have found positive effects for children who are not economically disadvantaged, as have recent rigorous studies of state pre-K programs that are open to all children.
Two Think Twice reviews provide detailed explanations of the how Snell and others have used think tank reports to purvey misinformation about preschool education, distorting the research they do cite while dismissing and ignoring the research that contradicts their claims.
Find the complete review of the 2006 Reason report by W. Steven Barnett as well as a link to the report itself at: http://www.greatlakescenter.org.
Find W. Steven Barnett’s complete review of the 2008 report by Robert Holland and Don Soifer, published by the Lexington Institute as well as a link to the report itself at: http://www.greatlakescenter.org
Monday, August 25, 2008
Pictures of the Week
Check out the pictures of the week and see if you can use them in your lesson plans.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
US NEWS Top 25 Colleges & Universities
Good grades and a great deal of money will get you into these colleges and universities.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Excitement for HOPE at OSSBA/CCOSA Conference
The HOPE petition is being supported by thousands of registered voters across our state including members of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association and the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration.
Superintendents and their school board members are having to make difficult decisions regarding program cuts, increasing fuel costs, lack of up-to-date- technology...because of the lack of investment from the legislature in our kids. They realize the importance of the campaign and they are very enthusiastic about it.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
National Geographic Contest
The National Geographic Society is sponsoring its 2008 International Photography Contest. You can vote for your favorite pictures and/or enter your photo.
As usual, there are a number of great photos to pick from, so take a minute or two and help decide the winner.
As usual, there are a number of great photos to pick from, so take a minute or two and help decide the winner.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Clara Luper and the 50th Anniversary of the Katz Sit-In
On the first day of school, while sitting in my Oklahoma History class, the teacher announced to the class, "My name is Clara Luper, I've been arrested 26 times and everything you've read about me is true."
This was not the normal teacher introduction I was used to hearing. I'd only been in Oklahoma since the 7th grade and my normal reading material in the newspaper consisted of the sports section and the comics. When I had dinner that evening and my parents asked me how school went, I had something different to talk about.
In my junior year, I had Mrs. Luper for Human Relations. What I remember most about her teaching was she instilled a sense of self-worth and dignity in her students and I will always thank her for her caring about me in that manner.
Yesterday I attended the ceremony at the Oklahoma History Center honoring Mrs. Luper and the kids, now adults, who participated in the Katz Drug Store sit-ins. It took tremendous courage, for all of those involved, to work for social justice. We were told both white and black people, for different reasons, were against the action, but these people persevered and changed the course of Oklahoma History. (Related Stories- 1 Slide Show OK Editorial Ch9 Story and Video Links Washington Times)
Having a teacher who not only taught history, but was part of a defining moment of our state's history, was a great opportunity for me as a student.
Thank you Mrs. Luper.
This was not the normal teacher introduction I was used to hearing. I'd only been in Oklahoma since the 7th grade and my normal reading material in the newspaper consisted of the sports section and the comics. When I had dinner that evening and my parents asked me how school went, I had something different to talk about.
In my junior year, I had Mrs. Luper for Human Relations. What I remember most about her teaching was she instilled a sense of self-worth and dignity in her students and I will always thank her for her caring about me in that manner.
Yesterday I attended the ceremony at the Oklahoma History Center honoring Mrs. Luper and the kids, now adults, who participated in the Katz Drug Store sit-ins. It took tremendous courage, for all of those involved, to work for social justice. We were told both white and black people, for different reasons, were against the action, but these people persevered and changed the course of Oklahoma History. (Related Stories- 1 Slide Show OK Editorial Ch9 Story and Video Links Washington Times)
Having a teacher who not only taught history, but was part of a defining moment of our state's history, was a great opportunity for me as a student.
Thank you Mrs. Luper.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Legislative Hypocrisy vs. HOPE
This article appeared in the Muskogee Phoenix on August 14th. I'm sure Representative Cannaday will be roundly criticized for his thoughts. I appreciate his input about HOPE and all teachers should thank him at ed.cannaday@okhouse.gov.
Legislative hypocrisy evident in petition
By Rep. Ed Cannaday
As a former government teacher, I have been skeptical of government by petition and referendum in that it is often used by legislators to defer their constitutional responsibility to govern through legislation.
Submitting an issue to a vote of the people to amend the state Constitution provides the lawmakers with “plausible deniability” rather than “legislative accountability.”
However, this has become the pattern in Oklahoma law-making practices on major controversial issues. An example of this is the restriction placed on the ability of the Legislature to raise revenue and put tax cuts in place in a manner that will ensure their continued existence and growth.
It is, therefore, ironic that those who have supported this type of governing are now opposed to the Oklahoma Education Association’s petition drive to have a constitutional question put before the vote of the citizens. This is referred to as HOPE or Helping Oklahoma Public Education, which will ensure that the state funds public schools at the regional average. If it were to become part of our Constitution, it would put into reality positions taken by both our governor and Legislature.
Specifically, I refer to the commitment to “fund education first” and provide funding for our students at a level equal to that of our six neighboring states.
Currently, Oklahoma funds the education of each of its public school students at a rate of $1,400 less than the regional average. I have yet to hear a person in or out of government state: “I want our student’s education to be fiscally inferior to those in neighboring states.”
However, the Legislature refuses to correct this morally indefensible position by providing the funds needed while voting sweetheart tax incentives to professional athletes, deep well gas drilling operations and those purchasing rare metals. This is made worse by the cumulative effects of the escalating tax cut programs to the most wealthy individuals and corporations.
The current criticism of this petition drive seems to focus on three issues.
First, if passed it is alleged that it will result in rural school consolidations. That does not make sense. If a school is consolidated with another, the students do not disappear. Thus, the funding per student would not be altered by consolidation.
Second, we are told if passed, it will result in massive tax increases. As stated in my opening, this has been restricted by their previous constitutional petition initiatives. If passed this may cause the legislative leadership to stop expanding their tax cut agenda as we have witnessed the past several years.
After providing massive tax cuts to the wealthiest individuals and corporations of Oklahoma, it is a sad commentary to have a legislative leader quoted to suggest that if this becomes constitutional, the Legislature will “raise taxes on working families.” Two years ago, several legislators were calling for “Honesty in funding education” and all we have had in response is the antithesis of this.
Third, we are told that this will result in reductions in state services. After seven years of ignoring the payroll needs of our state employees and being required to pass a $300,000 bond for maintaining our state roads and bridges, we are currently in need of reassessing our funding priorities.
The fundamental question that must be asked is “Do we want our children’s education to continue to be funded below the regional average or 48th in the nation?”
If you want this, then merely don’t sign the petition or vote against it in 2010 when it may be submitted to a state vote. Above all, admit that your opposition is based on your true desire that our students’ education should be “fiscally inferior” to that of our neighboring states’ children.
Legislative hypocrisy evident in petition
By Rep. Ed Cannaday
As a former government teacher, I have been skeptical of government by petition and referendum in that it is often used by legislators to defer their constitutional responsibility to govern through legislation.
Submitting an issue to a vote of the people to amend the state Constitution provides the lawmakers with “plausible deniability” rather than “legislative accountability.”
However, this has become the pattern in Oklahoma law-making practices on major controversial issues. An example of this is the restriction placed on the ability of the Legislature to raise revenue and put tax cuts in place in a manner that will ensure their continued existence and growth.
It is, therefore, ironic that those who have supported this type of governing are now opposed to the Oklahoma Education Association’s petition drive to have a constitutional question put before the vote of the citizens. This is referred to as HOPE or Helping Oklahoma Public Education, which will ensure that the state funds public schools at the regional average. If it were to become part of our Constitution, it would put into reality positions taken by both our governor and Legislature.
Specifically, I refer to the commitment to “fund education first” and provide funding for our students at a level equal to that of our six neighboring states.
Currently, Oklahoma funds the education of each of its public school students at a rate of $1,400 less than the regional average. I have yet to hear a person in or out of government state: “I want our student’s education to be fiscally inferior to those in neighboring states.”
However, the Legislature refuses to correct this morally indefensible position by providing the funds needed while voting sweetheart tax incentives to professional athletes, deep well gas drilling operations and those purchasing rare metals. This is made worse by the cumulative effects of the escalating tax cut programs to the most wealthy individuals and corporations.
The current criticism of this petition drive seems to focus on three issues.
First, if passed it is alleged that it will result in rural school consolidations. That does not make sense. If a school is consolidated with another, the students do not disappear. Thus, the funding per student would not be altered by consolidation.
Second, we are told if passed, it will result in massive tax increases. As stated in my opening, this has been restricted by their previous constitutional petition initiatives. If passed this may cause the legislative leadership to stop expanding their tax cut agenda as we have witnessed the past several years.
After providing massive tax cuts to the wealthiest individuals and corporations of Oklahoma, it is a sad commentary to have a legislative leader quoted to suggest that if this becomes constitutional, the Legislature will “raise taxes on working families.” Two years ago, several legislators were calling for “Honesty in funding education” and all we have had in response is the antithesis of this.
Third, we are told that this will result in reductions in state services. After seven years of ignoring the payroll needs of our state employees and being required to pass a $300,000 bond for maintaining our state roads and bridges, we are currently in need of reassessing our funding priorities.
The fundamental question that must be asked is “Do we want our children’s education to continue to be funded below the regional average or 48th in the nation?”
If you want this, then merely don’t sign the petition or vote against it in 2010 when it may be submitted to a state vote. Above all, admit that your opposition is based on your true desire that our students’ education should be “fiscally inferior” to that of our neighboring states’ children.
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