Believing that Republicans want to improve public education is like believing that Hitler was just trying to set up summer camps for Jews.I support letting Alaskans decide whether parents can use state funds to put their children in schools they deem best. #AKLeg
— Gov. Sean Parnell (@AKGovParnell) March 5, 2013
Monday, March 04, 2013
Translation: I want to undermine the public education system, and eliminate teacher's unions, while appearing to empower Alaska parents.
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Indiana did this - it is disastrous for public ed - and, it is Unconstitutional.
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder how the so called "conservatives" and Teaparty types would like it if a whole neighborhood of Muslim families got vouchers so their kids could attend a local madrassa.
ReplyDeleteOr, how about establishing a pagan school teaching earth based spiritual beliefs? How would the evangelicals and "pure" conservatives feel about that?
Would they then realize that many thousands of taxpayer's hard earned dollars were DIRECTLY supporting a Muslim or pagan school or institution?
Would that cause heads to explode, or would that still not make them realize that using taxpayer dollars to support religious schools is very likely unconstitutional?
That has already happened. One of the Southern states passed a similar law and (I believe) repealed it when suddenly faced with a lot of non-"christians applied for the vouchers. Said something about they had no idea others would use it, too!
DeleteI'm not sure of the details, but Gryph posted it here. It was hilarious to watch and read about the consternation those idiots went through!
AJ, great thoughts! Keep going, and see where it leads. My guess is back to same tribalism that has wrecked societies over and again.
DeleteThis is REALLY good news, Gryphen! Thought you'd like to know.
ReplyDeleteBill That Bans High-Capacity Magazines, Limits Them To 15 Rounds Passes Colorado Senate Committee
A bill that bans the manufacture and sale of high-capacity magazines in Colorado and places a limit on them to only 15 rounds per magazine passed in Colorado Senate committee, Monday evening.
The Senate Judiciary Committee passed House Bill 1224 on a 3-2 party line vote as hundres of gun rights advocates filled the state Capitol in protest of the seven gun control bills being debated today in the state legislature. Read the full text of HB-1224 here.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/04/bill-that-bans-high-capac_n_2808548.html
Universal Background Checks For All Gun Sales, Transfers Passes Colorado Senate Committee
A bill that requires background checks for all gun sales and transfers in Colorado passed in Senate committee on Monday afternoon.
The State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee passed House Bill 1229 on a 3-2 party line vote as gun rights advocates drove by the Capitol honking their horns in protest of the seven gun bills up for debate today in the state legislature. Read the full text of HB-1229 here.
Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Gifford's husband, Mark Kelly, testified in support of gun control in Colorado, urging lawmakers to pass universal background checks.
"When dangerous people get guns, we are all vulnerable," Kelly said, The Associated Press reports. Kelly also said that he and his wife, who was seriously wounded in a 2011 mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz., support the Second Amendment but believe that that right should not extend to the mentally ill or to criminals.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/04/universal-background-chec_n_2807885.html
They don't wan to give public money to public schools because those schools are "not performing".
ReplyDeleteSo instead they will divert that money to private schools that don't have to take the state tests to prove competency?
Oh, and I'm sure Parnell is ok with using public money for Muslim schools, right?
Alaska is one of the states on the national map (shown on national TV a day or so ago!) for being discriminatory as to voting rights (Alaska natives would be my guess) and now our 'captain zero' gov has the public school system in his sights! Sounds like he is following what is going on in the southern part of our nation. Does he have our native population in sight again?
DeleteHaving been a resident of Alaska for many, many years, it is becoming an embarrassment to to say one lives in the state! Get the Republicans out of office folks - in the Legislature and city/town positions. They are bringing nothing more than harm to our state and country! It's very frightening to watch.
Vote Democratic!!!
Seems like we have a whole nation of asshats.
ReplyDeleteYou know Parnell, in that Utopian world you live in, if parents deemed Parochial schools were their choice, they paid to put their kids in them. Our tax money didn't pay for that privilege. But they still had to pay their taxes for the schools. I haven't had a child in Public School since '89, but I still have to pay taxes to the schools.
ReplyDeleteTheir are only two things certain in life...death and taxes. I do not not mind paying my taxes, but I do mind paying taxes to educate your children in schools that are private church schools. We have a law that states there will be separation of church and state. If you want to send your children to learn your faith, then you can pay for that. Our church had Sunday School, as every other church has and they can learn all about the rules of your faith and how to do onto to others as your would have them do unto you.
If you don't like what my church teaches that is fine, but don't expect my children have to follow your faith if it is different. Public schools do not teach religion. That is the parents responsibilities. Don't expect others to pay for your religious beliefs.
Once your children leave school they will have to mix with everyone...race, creeds and religions. It is going to be a real shock when they find out not everyone believes as you do. That's how we learn to get along with everyone and respect them as equal...no matter what faith they believe.
Children don't see black and white, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist...they see kids learning , growing and respecting each other.
Do you really think sending your kids to a private, religious school is going to prepare them to face life once they go off to the service, college, work where they will thrown in with others? We are not a one-size fits all country. We are a melting pot of everything you can imagine.
When I sent my kids out into the world I wanted them to have the best education and be prepared to meet the world. They went to public school!
College is not free. Even our state run schools are expensive. Families with many children can't always send all their kid to college. Some have to go right out into the work force without the privilege of higher education, often limiting their chances for advancement and higher wages. Some go into the service and are forced to live with every kind of religion, non religion and color we have. Life is hard. We need to prepare them for the real world from the first day they go to school. You must be there to support them thru everything they will be faced with, but we can't protect them from things we don't like their whole life. If you hate or distrust people who are different, your children will learn that from you. Don't expect the church or your beliefs to do what you need to teach them at home or out in the community.
Religion and guns are not going to protect you in this big, bad world. Being a good person might help. Don't expect the government to do your job.
8:12? I couldn't agree with more if I tried - and I had NO children! There is only ONE BIG PROBLEM with everything you have stated.
DeleteHE DOESN'T AGREE WITH YOU!
Alabama just passed the same law. Republicans are evil people.
ReplyDeleteso our illustrious gov is in another time zone? He's not in the great state he's supposed to be governing according to the time stamp on his tweet. Would he be using state funds to travel to very distant locations (other side of the world?) Is that also what Alaskan's 'deem best?' Or what he deems best. Where the heck is he anyway? Inquiring minds want to know! He's delusional if he thinks Alaskan's support using state funds to support private xtian schools.
ReplyDeleteWhat is wrong with homeschooling? Simple question. From a person who does not go to church, I know that have the right to educate my child as I see fit (I do have a Bachelor's in Biology, a Masters in Environmental Journalism, and many classes in childhood education, technical writing, Environmental Law, and more), and the public schools in the valley are not a good fit for my last child! Nor is/was it for my other children. Many parents do not not home-school for religious purposes. I had four in public school, two are out, only one with a diploma, and two are in and not liking it at all. Counselors are useless. Teachers do not teach anymore. Kids are told what to do, when to do it, are taught to test for the no-child-left-behind stuff a week before the test. You have PTCs, PD days.... how many contact days do these kids have in public schools. Get over the hatred of homeschooling. I do believe we need more Charter School Options. It doesn't cost anyone a dime, but does provide concerned and frustrated parents with choices. I do not support Gov. Parnell at all in general, but I do support a Parent's right to educate their child as they see best. Pause a moment to research the excellent charter schools in the valley before you "deem" them all religious nonsense. None of them are. Fronteras, IDEA, Mat-Su Charter, Academy Charter, Twindly Bridge.....all are outstanding and offer great opportunities for our youth, oftentimes in conjunction with "public" schools.
ReplyDeleteAnd leaching money from public schools to "help" parents provide these alternative type schools is one of the reasons the public schools are having the problems you describe!
DeleteProvide all the alternative education you wish for your children. Do NOT try to reduce the quality available to the children of others who can't afford those alternatives. And DON'T take money away from the attempts to provide that education. I have had NO children and I am required to pay school tax. Do NOT steal MY money for any other education system!
Here's a simple question for YOU: Have you tried to TALK with those teachers about whom you complain? Have you SPOKEN OUT at school board meetings? Have you spoken with the teachers who TRY to do a good job in an attempt to find out why the others don't?
And one more thing: where in the above tweet does he mention home schooling?
Charters, like RCC schools, often exploit teachers is one of the problems. And homeschooling is done on the parents dime/time often at great sacrifice - I know, we were essentially a one earner family while we homeschooled.
DeleteFirst, of all, my kids are in public elementary school (not in Alaska) and are getting a great education (i.e., the teachers do teach; the counselors do great work).
DeleteThe problem with homeschooling is that so many parents aren't qualified, as you are, to home school their children.
Furthermore, it is unrealistic for many parents to homeschool because they are single or need a dual income. Other parents don't have the temperament to home school and many children need and enjoy the social aspect of spending regular time with peers and having positive interactions with other adults. Yes, I know that homeschooling can include those things to some extent.
Homeschooling works very well when it works. Homeschooling can be damaging when it doesn't.
Charter schools can be terrific (although not by default), but they have limited enrollment. The answer is not mass flight from public school. It is continuing to reform public schools to make them better for all kids.
I am AMAZED at some of the parents I know teaching/homeschooling their children! They were horrible students themselves when in school and they think they are qualified to teach/educate their own! A great disservice to their kids - no doubt about it. And. these are the kids that we'll have in the adult world - next generation? Frightening as can be!
Delete9:49, public charter schools are wonderful and are held to the same standards as their counterparts, traditional public schools. Private "christian" schools operating under the radar, w/o standardize testing do not meet state or federal standards and should not be publicly funded. I do not support privatizing education. It is not in the best interest of children. That is not to say I do not believe in a parent's right to educate their child as they see fit. Just don't take public funds to do it. BTW, where is the governor? Why is the tweet he sent out timestamped from a time zone other than Alaska?
ReplyDeleteThe GOP roster is stupider than a bag of hammers.
ReplyDelete~Canuck~
It can be easy for private schools to show high student achievement. They can kick out children for behavior and/or academic problems and they can lie, lie, lie.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed that Parnell was elected gov by Alaskans! Much the same as Palin. It is obvious the residents of that state need to pay attention for whom they vote!
ReplyDeleteHe is not helping the State of Alaska!!!!
This isn't really about religion in schools, or even about home schooling - this is more about class and wealth. This is about people who live in "gated communities" who want their kids educated in "gated schools".
ReplyDeleteThe end result of voucher programs for schools will be "separate but equal" once again.
Ummm, there are very few gated communities in Alaska. . .this law is purely driven for non-secular reasons in this instance.
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