FREEDOM FORUM: Discussion

Make a Comment

Comments in Response


Comment by Judy Murphy
Entered on:

Gee, maybe we will actually have a system where the teachers actually have to teach.  Having lived in other states and having a child with special needs I can tell you this - this state and its teachers and the system leave a lot to be desired.  There is a reason we live in one of the lowest ranking states in terms of education - and it has NOTHING to do with the amount of money spent on the education system. 

Just because someone has been a teacher for 20 years does not mean that they should be a teacher for another 10.  Why exactly should being a teacher be any different than any other job - I have worked in the legal field for 15 years.  I can be terminated at any time.  I don't have a contract guaranteeing me a job for the year.  You make it sound like administrators are just going to go in and start hacking teacher's jobs the day school starts.  Seems a little far fetched to me.

Maybe, just maybe, this will begin to bring about the changes in the education system that need to happen.  They are called growing pains for a reason. . . .


Comment by foundZero
Entered on:

Dave, you've been consitant in calling for more public funds for education. Please explain why we should pay more for failure? Why support the state-mandated "curriculum" and intrustion into our own parenting? And why decry financial flexibility in a state which is literally broke.

That's right, broke, busted flat. We're trying to literally pawn our state legislative offices. Per-capita, WE'RE EVEN WORSE OFF THAN CALIFORNIANS, a fact which should deeply shame us. To call for increased or continuing budgets for any state institution is simply running up unfunded public debt which it just so happens is, ah, how so we say this delicately? It's kind of illegal under our state constitution. In other words against the law. In other words it's a crime.


Comment by Freed Radical
Entered on:

 

Spare me the socialist whining, Hodges. Government indoctrination camps should be abolished. Those who choose to have kids should pay to educate them if they can't do it themselves. Eric New

Comment by Deb Fitzgerald
Entered on:

As an educator impacted by the recent statute changes I applaud Dave for speaking out on how wrong they are. I have been a teacher for 16 years, have always had excellent evaluations, and l am passionate about what I do. And yet, I am in jeopardy of losing my job because I am older (57) and have been around long enough to make a "decent" salary, although I still live paycheck to paycheck. I live in a modest home and certainly do not spend willy nilly. I am appalled by the comments to date in response to Dave's comments and I guess that is why we have the legislative body we do and why we are ranked 51st in the nation on per pupil spending! Anyone who thinks education can continue to take funding hits and still do a quality job educating our children has no clue about the issue! I spend approximately $1500.00 out my pocket every year on my students. I do it because I want to supplement and enhance their learning experience. I also spend hours preparing lessons to make sure my students get my best each and every day. I spend, on the average, 12 hours a day on my job and at least one weekend day of approximately 6-8 hours. I also reflect and plan much of the summer to improve my skills for the next year. I am dedicated to my students and have been a loyal employee. I resent those who dare to judge and generalize about teachers. Sure there are some bad apples in the barrel, but if administration would do their job and get rid of them, they wouldn't be there. It isn't right to take away my tenure and seniority because administration doesn't want to" jump through the hoops" to remove teachers who should no longer be teaching! Obviously those who think it is all about test scores know nothing about children. Our children are precious individuals, not products that are produced on a conveyor belt in some factory and whose quality control rests on some scale! I have no problem being held accountable for my students learning, but what I do resent is the audacity of those who make the policy choosing the instrument to which I am held accountable. Especially when they know nothing about assessment. I am currently being held accountable to an instrument that is screening tool, not even a bona fide testing instrument, designed to accurately measure the learning that has taken place. Yes, education and educators in Arizona are in crisis. But it has nothing to do with the performance of the children and the teachers! There is a lot more to it and all the stakeholders share responsibility. It's time you who know nothing about the educational process get educated about it before criticizing it and its time we elect new legislators! While I am a registered Republican our current policymakers DO NOT represent my values!


Comment by Freed Radical
Entered on:

Get government out of education. Abolish seniority, tenure, and the teachers' unions. Those of us in the productive class who run businesses have no guaranteed lifetime jobs or benefits. What makes you so special? I'm glad to see some of the economic pain being spread around to the government sector parasites who caused the bloated budgets of years past. Educating one's children is simply one of many PARENTAL responsibilities. If the parents can't do the job themselves for whatever reason, they should hire a teacher or enroll them in a private or religious school at their own expense. You socialist educrats can never have too much taxpayer money, to listen to you tell it. But I'm sure you would prefer to raise taxes in a recession versus taking a pay cut like the rest of us must when business is bad. Eric New


Comment by Freed Radical
Entered on:

Get government out of education. Abolish seniority, tenure, and the teachers' unions. Those of us in the productive class who run businesses have no guaranteed lifetime jobs or benefits. What makes you so special? I'm glad to see some of the economic pain being spread around to the government sector parasites who caused the bloated budgets of years past. Educating one's children is simply one of many PARENTAL responsibilities. If the parents can't do the job themselves for whatever reason, they should hire a teacher or enroll them in a private or religious school at their own expense. You socialist educrats can never have too much taxpayer money, to listen to you tell it. But I'm sure you would prefer to raise taxes in a recession versus taking a pay cut like the rest of us must when business is bad. Eric New


Comment by Farmer John
Entered on:

Appears Rich Crandall has gone missing AGAIN!

http://www.boxfont.com/rich-crandall/


Comment by AZ 1st
Entered on:

… and Mr. Crandall just pocketed $30 large from the Liberal fundraiser earlier this week. Who is this guy, and who does he think he is joining forces with RINOs and Democrats to raise 1/4 million dollars for liberals and socialists? How does Rich “Big Money” Crandall sleep at night? Has he no morals? Why did he miss over 66% of his votes in the House last year? Why is he lining up for Obama’s Race-to-the-top funds so the FEDs can dictate to us what our children are taught? Why Mr. Crandall do you want to represent a district who opposes everything liberal about you? Is it so you can make millions more off the backs of the struggling tax payers? While you set in the security of your multi-million dollar house with your multi-million dollar bank accounts, the rest of us in District 19 are struggling to feed our families. 2 parent incomes are no longer enough to support the family, all the while you keep running up taxes, missing or walking out on crucial house votes, fundraising with democrats, taking up residency in NY State to secure more FAT CAT contracts for you business, and refusing to answer to your constituency! Your hypocrisy runneth over. Rich Crandall your day of judgment is coming August 24th, I only pray the rest of us wake up before it’s too late.


Comment by Walyn Osgooder
Entered on:

If elected to the state Senate, Rich Crandall will single handedly bankrupt our state. I cannot support such hypocrisy.

Make a Comment