RANT! (question #744)

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plissken

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The real question: Will any amount of increased spending improve the performance of our students one bit? NO!

We already spend enough taxpayer money, per student, to send each one of them to the most expensive private school in the state.

If there ever was an argument for vouchers, this is it. I have been ranting about this all week at work, where I teach. The number one problem in public schools is lack of discipline. I told some fellow teachers that learning no longer takes place at school. School is for babysitting, all learning must take place at home. I am one of the lucky teachers that married well. So my child goes to private school. I sure would like a voucher to help with the cost, though. Vouchers NOW. Use the bar graph the 744 proponents are using to show expenditures per pupil, add a list of private schools tuition cost and you've got a bulletproof campaign brochure. Only a fool could look at the numbers and think dumping more of taxpayer's money into the most expensive babysitter I know is a good idea. Vouchers NOW!
 

vvvvvvv

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Someone posted earlier that administrative salaries are a lot less than many would believe. Before believing that those salaries are the "big problem", check to see what they are making for what they do.

I believe you are referring to me. Yes, the salaries are high. But what I run into a lot from those who have not bothered to even check into something before they state it (including many teachers I know), they say that cutting the $53 million worth of superintendent salaries would fix the biggest problem "since most of the money goes there anyway". They do not understand that $53 million is NOTHING compared to $3.685 billion - they only know that "million" means "big number".

I was listening to the radio today and heard the story of a little girl, one of only two in her class that passed a test, who was forced to take the test over and over. The teacher was making EVERYONE retake the test until the poor performers could finally pass. The teacher didn't want the poor performers to "feel bad" so EVERYONE had to retake the test.

I had to do that on multiple occasions in elementary and junior high. Counselors were recommending that I skip grades all through elementary school. The principal, superintendent, and some of the board members were very vocal that that wasn't an option. Some would say that it would alienate the other kids in my class, and others would say that I would be alienated in my new class.

By the time I got to high school, I knew that all I wanted to do was get out as fast a possible, so I graduated a year early. I also knew that those gowns looked weird without cords, so I did just barely enough to maintain a B average so I could "graduate with honors". That means I turned in very little of my homework. It frustrated my teachers, but why do more that what is necessary when most of your education has been classified as SSDD? I mean, seriously, the math books do a "refresher" on simple addition and subtraction in eighth grade. Even then, all that is taught is what is necessary to pass mandated tests that supposedly rate how a school is performing.

I'm a product of public education. I will not send my kids to a public school.

I've read many state auditor's reports on schools. Go through them sometime. You'll see that you have to really piss someone off to get more than a slap on the wrist. Many offenses are concluded with "However, <school name> had no record of <questionable action or transaction>, so we cannot take any action" or something similar.
 

inactive

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I was listening to the radio today and heard the story of a little girl, one of only two in her class that passed a test, who was forced to take the test over and over. The teacher was making EVERYONE retake the test until the poor performers could finally pass. The teacher didn't want the poor performers to "feel bad" so EVERYONE had to retake the test.
.

I don't always listen to Glenn Beck, but that was an excellent point made on the show today. And this is all too common in today's society.

Compulsory spending doesn't mean the education suddenly gets better. Throwing money at a problem doesn't help unless it's spent properly. If it did, I could cram money up my butt and suddenly my farts wouldn't smell anymore.

That was crass but I couldn't resist :D
 

HMFIC

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I'd just like to have the average $7000 per student that the state currently spends in education.

I could easily send my kids to very good private schools with that money.

I'd rather vote to privatise the entire system or make vouchers available rather than keep going down the same old tired usless road of more funding will solve the problems.
 

okievarmint

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Liquor by the drink, parimutual horse racing, state lottery was advertised as paying for public education. Where's that money at or did someone lie to us?

What's next, tax prostitutes? "Rent a Hooker, it's for the kids!" What kind of message are we sending to the children?
"So Daddy, it's OK to drink and gamble because it's for the kids?"
 

TerryMiller

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I don't always listen to Glenn Beck, but that was an excellent point made on the show today. And this is all too common in today's society.

Compulsory spending doesn't mean the education suddenly gets better. Throwing money at a problem doesn't help unless it's spent properly. If it did, I could cram money up my butt and suddenly my farts wouldn't smell anymore.

That was crass but I couldn't resist :D


Hey, do you suppose we could get the Governor and the other Anti-744 people to adopt that as a slogan????

Excellent!!!

:Heya:
 

vvvvvvv

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I'd just like to have the average $7000 per student that the state currently spends in education.

H.O.P.E. (the people support it) say $8,006. NIEER says $8,814. OCPA pegs it at $10,257, but that includes building expenses (which H.O.P.E. and NIEER don't).

But I give them the benefit of using the lowest available number.
 

SoonerBorn

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I would be willing to bet that 10% was based on every Oklahoman buying a lottery ticket every week. Or something close to that.

I don't know, though. I was worried about chasing women and dragons when I was 17-18...

No idea but was just clarifying there was no false advertising when it was being voted on....
 

Bruno2

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Correct me if my memory is wrong on this but liquor by the drink, parimutuel betting and state lottery were all passed so "WE CAN PROPERLY FUND EDUCATION"

The was only temporary for the education funding. Teachers got raises when that passed, but , the sun set on the clause so a couple yrs later they lost the raise. That is another thing about some of these state questions that are proposed . The Gaming deal was tied to education so that it would get passed. I know the guy that wrote the proposal. He tried to get gaming passed before and it failed. Then he tied it to education and it passed.

When I heard that Brad Henry was speaking against 744 that right there told me that it isn't good for anyone.

Right and when he refused to sign that last open carry bill I suppose that wouldnt have been good for anybody either. How about when he turned down the tax free gun purchasing weekends for OK?
 

Bruno2

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With all due respect I say this: When something has happened to you or a loved one and the response time for us to get to you goes from 5 min to 30 min I want you to remember that "the troopers took a hit for the team" and "OUR JOBS ARENT AS IMPORTANT AS EDUCATORS". Better yet if we arent as important we will send you a teacher for an emergency response. yes im being a little extreme on this but taking money from our law enforcement is the last thing we need to do.

Im sorry that your mother did not make much money. I agree with you that they need more pay for what they do but THIS IS THE WRONG AREA TO PICK FROM.

Well I guess I have to comply since you are using your command voice.:tounge:
 
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