Much lip-service is being paid here at the start of 2009 to discussing "the role of government." However, I'm not seeing action around revisiting Federal and State Constitutions in order to define just what government IS and IS NOT committed to doing. NOW is the time, these are the elected officials, WE are the citizens who must hold them accountable!
Ultimately, government can not be all things to all people; can not be the largest employer in a state's or nation's "free-market/capiltalistic" economy; and can not provide all care for all citizens. Now is the time to pare back and/or eliminate those services government has taken on that can be and are also being addressed by private and non-profit sectors. People on the ground locally know best who needs what and tax dollars with strings and compliance issues do not serve local human needs best; thus far in U.S. history these dollars have only appeared to create generations of dependency and ongoing poverty.
Stay tuned for blogs on what responsibilities are mandated at various levels -
Federally:
State levels:
County and City levels:
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Don't Delay the Digital Conversion
Companies and consumers have known for YEARS that the February 2009 conversion was coming. Coupons were available for consumers to buy conversion boxes. SO, why the congressional desire for delay of the conversion? WHOM will benefit from the delay? Only the very people who have known for years that the change was coming. By delaying the conversion, once AGAIN congress rewards those who have made poor business decisions. ENOUGH already with the rewards that the rest of us are paying for and never seeing any benefit from!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Preventing High School Drop Outs Summit
Friday, January 30, 2009 - Nampa, Idaho: More than 300 people attended the Prevention Summit. Here are some of the notes...
With all of the resources available, why are so many still falling through the cracks and dropping out? Answers given by teens: "Teachers who put me down. Parents not present. Parents not caring. Administrators who put me down."
Business and Adult answer: Relevance and Rigor is needed in schools of the 21st Century. My commentary on this is that every child in every classroom can not experience relevance and rigor when every child is in every classroom. NEW models are needed for organizing students and presenting curriculum that meets student needs.
NEW attitudes toward the importance of education are needed. Starting with "Education is a part of our National Defense" say I, Jana Kemp. Greg Mortenson author of "Three Cups of Tea" essentially says that education is the key to ending wars and preventing terrorism - so my stretch is not a big one.
Also consider - Idaho's constitution requires the State to provide education for students!
School size matters - the bigger the class and the bigger the school building, the less valued students feel, the less they are able to learn.
Department of Corrections shared note-worthy statistics such as one-half of non-graduating high school students end up in prison in Idaho. Improved education is one of the answers for addressing prison population growth!
With all of the resources available, why are so many still falling through the cracks and dropping out? Answers given by teens: "Teachers who put me down. Parents not present. Parents not caring. Administrators who put me down."
Business and Adult answer: Relevance and Rigor is needed in schools of the 21st Century. My commentary on this is that every child in every classroom can not experience relevance and rigor when every child is in every classroom. NEW models are needed for organizing students and presenting curriculum that meets student needs.
NEW attitudes toward the importance of education are needed. Starting with "Education is a part of our National Defense" say I, Jana Kemp. Greg Mortenson author of "Three Cups of Tea" essentially says that education is the key to ending wars and preventing terrorism - so my stretch is not a big one.
Also consider - Idaho's constitution requires the State to provide education for students!
School size matters - the bigger the class and the bigger the school building, the less valued students feel, the less they are able to learn.
Department of Corrections shared note-worthy statistics such as one-half of non-graduating high school students end up in prison in Idaho. Improved education is one of the answers for addressing prison population growth!
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