Have you had enough yet?

If you think the country will be a better place for you if those currently trying to rule this country win, you're wrong. If you think the country will be a better place for your children if those currently trying to rule this country win, you're wrong. If you think the country will be a better place for your grandchildren if those currently trying to rule this country win, you're wrong. I am sure you are wrong because everything they do is to benefit only one group, and you are probably not a part of that group, your children are losing opportunities to ever aspire to be part of that group and your grandchildren won't know that opportunities to be part of that group ever existed. It used to be that if you were an honest laborer and you worked very, very hard you had an opportunity to reach a level of great wealth. How often have you heard a very rich person say that they started from nothing? But now, they want to give those who already are rich the power to stay rich and get richer by taking opportunities away from the hard working laborer. Like by taking jobs away, and cutting pay, and asking the hard working people to pay more, and taking health care options away, and asking hard working people to pay more for less, and taking away the freedom to bargain for a decent wage and decent working conditions and basically making us all slaves. Please don't take offence to that, a slave is one forced to work for nothing and treated with disdain, and that's what we are all becoming. Now our children are even worse off because if they are lucky enough to get a job, they sure as hell won't do anything to lose that job, so they will work really, really hard for very little pay and be treated with no respect and thank someone everyday that they are working and won't think at all about the possibility of being rich. And our grandchildern will watch their parents work really, really hard for very little pay and know that they will do the same. OR THEY WILL STAND UP AND SAY NO MORE AND WISH LIKE HELL THEIR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS HAD DONE THAT AND FIGHT LIKE HELL TO LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM WHICH WAS SNATCHED AWAY BY A GROUP OF SELF RIGHTIOUS EGOMANIACS WITH NO CONSCIENCE WHO CARED NOTHING ABOUT THIS COUNTRY BUT CARED A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR WHICH THEY HAD PLENTY OF AND COULDN'T STAND THE THOUGHT OF HAVING TO GIVE ANY OF IT UP OR NOT BEING ABLE TO GRAB MORE!!! I will say one thing for those who are trying to rule this country, they are smart enough to know that what they are putting through will take years to undo, and when it is finally undone, because our grandchildren will win, they'll be dead, or dying, or too damn rich to care.
Rosemary

Responding to responders

I really want the blog to be where a dialogue takes place, so here are my thoughts on some of the responses to my last post. First, I totally disagree that those who lean more towards the left have a "talking head" as ridiculous as Ann Coulter. I do not believe that those who speak in favor of the policies of the President, or the policies of the Democratic Party, use the vehicle of propaganda to the degree that the Republicans do, and they do not out right lie. I realize that it is the addicited viewers of Fox News, and not intelligent people, who listen to the Ann Coulters, but these people vote, so yes, this concerns me. Please don't infer that I lack intelligence because the Ann Coulters of the world frighten me. She is heard and she is believed so anyone with intelligence should be wary of her and her kind. No, I have not been in a coma since 2005. Presidents of the past have been disagreed with, they have been disliked, but they have not been as disrespected as this president has. I don't recall members of the opposing party yelling "Liar!" I don't recall watching presidential addresses and seeing members of congress working crossword puzzles or texting on their cell phones. I don't recall any member of congress stating he would not be attending an address because he was going to a Louisanna State football game. Finally, CNN is not the Fox News of the left. It is balanced reporting. Perhaps you are mixing it up with MSNBC which has reporters that dispute the lies and the rhetoric of those who are working to ensure that President Obama is a one term president. I watch it every chance I get. Go Ed!

Rosemary

Hello out there, are you listening?

Hello? Are you there?
While you were sleeping...
Don't know, don't care.
No time, too busy.
What? When did that happen?
Well, what does it mean to us now?
They can't do that!
Um, they did.

Please, no matter how busy you are, no matter how tired you are, pay attention. Watch the news, read the paper. We are not being "governed" we are being led down a very ugly path. What is happening in Michigan is not a reinvention but a destruction. What is happening, or better, not happening in the nation is a controlled agenda by the republicans to oust President Obama because he is black, and the citizens of this country be damned! They are that prejudiced and that anal. I mean, look at them! Could they be any tighter? Scary when it's your way or the highway (remember a guy named Hitler?). The dominate party right now is the Republican Party, and in Michigan they are steam-rolling legislation that will create two distinct classes, the very rich and the poor. In Washington they are blocking every chance to get the country back to where it once was, productive, protective, innovative, and respected. The republican presidential candidates share a common thread, they want to control, they want power, they think they are right (and that's the scariest thing), and they do not know the reality of our world. They are rich, and if they didn't grow up rich, they have been rich for a very long time, and they truly think they are better than us. The very rich just do, it's a fact. And those that think they are superior may pretend to care, but they don't. I am tired, I am frustrated, I am depressed, I am writing my representatives and those in other districts that I have issues with, every day. I am talking about the injustices being done to the workers in this state and country, I am trying to get you, who may be sleeping, to wake up. I am really scared and if your aren't you aren't paying attention. Please start. Oh, and watch this! Tell me what you think, I really need to know.

Rosemary

Sen. Phil Pavlov has the idea that privitizing instructional services, aka, teachers for hire, is the way to go, so I wrote him.

I guess what I want to know is who will these private companies be that will contract out the instructional people who will teach Michigan's children? How will these companies get their start-up money? Who has approached you as being interested in "owning" a company that will employ teachers for hire? Will the private companies that employ the people who will be contracted out to teach in Michigan schools be accountable in any way for the progress made by the children taught by their employees? How will the new laws that have affected teacher tenure and teacher evaluations be impacted by privitization? If a teacher is hired to teach a subject at a certain grade level through a private company and a parent wants to meet after the day of pay ends, and the parents gets a bit irate because the teacher is done for the day, who will handle that issue, the school or the company that employs the teacher? Boy, with every question I ask I think of more, because this is what I do, this is what I know. You do not have a clue, and like China you are ready to turn out a faulty product to save a buck. Shame on you and your cronies who see dollar signs at every turn and the people be damned! This idea is repulsive, and damning, and if you know that you are criminal and if you don't know that you are a moran.

Rosemary

Wrote a lot tonight. READ, RESPOND

To Rep. Tom McMillin

Good Evening,
In a Free Press article today regarding the passage of SB 7 it states that you have said that this change will bring significant relief to taxpayers, possibly reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars. You are quoted as saying, "We don't know precisely what the savings will be, but they will be large. Will you please explain to me how, as a taxpayer, I will be saving money? I am one of the public employees who have already lost wages in the form of an additional 3% tax on my earnings to pay for someone else's future benefits. I will now be paying 20% of my health care costs. I don't know as of yet what my salary will be this year as our contract is being negotiated, (dare I use that word?). I will be paying the same amount of income tax on my earnings as I did last year. I don't see where I am saving money. Private sector workers who are not losing wages to new laws, are still paying the same amount of tax on income so how does this change save them money? I fail to see the wonderment of this and so many other laws that have been passed under this administration. I have said all along, I am willing to "share" the sacrifice, but I am not willing to carry the entire burden. I am not willing to lose money, job security, and professional dignity. I am not willing to sit back and watch those much less fortunate than me be desimated. How do you sleep at night Mr. McMillin? Please do not respond with anything about how you too will pay more for health care. If you would be willing to reveal your net worth, I would be happy to reveal mine. I know you too took a pay cut, but you still have a $10,000 expense account, I do not. You also have been at your job for far fewer years than I have been at mine and have less education, yet you earn what I do. So, just tell me how I am saving money, how all the new laws will make my life better here in Michigan, how the new laws will be better for my children and grandchildren. Oh, I might mention that my son and daughter-in-law are teachers and have two small children. The hit they have taken has changed their life style, which was pretty moderate to begin with. How has your lifestyle changed? Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I await your response.

Letter to the Free Press (similar to above)
I read the article in the Free Press regarding the passage of the law that will now require Michigan public school and local government employees to pay more of the cost of their health care insurance. In this article, State Rep. Tom McMillin is said to have stated that this change will bring significant relief to taxpayers, possibly reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars each year. He is quoted as saying, "We don't know precisely what the savings will be, but they will be large." So I wrote him and asked him to explain how, as a taxpayer, I will be saving money. I am one of the public employees who have already lost wages in the form of an additional 3% tax on my earnings to pay for someone else's future benefits. I will now be paying 20% of my health care costs. I don't know as of yet what my salary will be this year as our contract is being negotiated, (dare I use that word?). I will be paying the same amount of income tax on my earnings as I did last year. I don't see where I am saving money. Private sector workers who are not losing wages to new laws are still paying the same amount of tax on income so how does this change save them money? Then I read a letter to the editor and was chastised as a greedy teacher wanting nothing more than to continue to suck dry the public trough. Dear writer of that letter, the public did not elect this administration to decimate the middle class. Those who did vote for the governor because he stated he would "reinvent" Michigan, I am sure did not see that to mean businesses would get big tax breaks and the workers of this state would pay for that. Make no mistake, cut taxes for businesses and they will pocket the profits and no jobs will come. Make the lives of public employees and the working poor more stressful, less profitable, less secure and they won't spend a dime of their cut salaries on anything not needed. I would say the Governor is definitely reinventing Michigan so he is doing what he said he would, and we need to vote him and his cronies out before there is nothing left of Michigan to save.

To Mr. Henderson, editorial page editor of the Free Press, (damn I misspelled editorial!)

Dear Mr. Henderson,

As the editoral page editor you have a responsibility to presents facts to counter facts printed in your paper. Here is what I am asking you to do, write an article that presents the fact about ACT as a profit making enterprise. Write an article that compares the percentage of 11th grade students tested from state to state because not all states test 100% of their 11th graders as Michigan does. Write an article that explains what a subgroup is, how many students it takes to make up a subgroup and how a very large district will have many more subgroups than a very small district. Write an article that speak to the fact that the United States tests students at a far greater rate than any other country and those other countries do better on standardized tests because they do not rely on them to determine their excellence. Write an article that expains just what the ACT test was originally designed for and what is has become and why. Write an article that exposes that we are only allowed to give diplomas to students who can do a curriculum that is not necessary for all of the type of work a society needs to function and that many of these professions are trades that hands on experience is necessary for not lecture hall experience. Write an article that speaks to the cost of college that puts students into lifelong debt, but once graduated all a new graduate can find is a minimum wage job with no chance to move on up. Write an article that explains why a factory worker, good job by the way, needs a college degree at all. Write an article that explains what college or career ready means, because I think it means you show up on time or better yet, early. You work hard and don't complain. You listen, you show respect, you ask appropriate questions, appropriately, you desire to learn more and do better, you can work with others, you know when to speak up and when to shut up, and you are accountable for your actions or inactions. What test tests these skills? Write about that. I would, but I am a teacher and I just don't have the time.

(Made an error on my zip code, soooo, sent this to Mr. Henderson)

Zip is 48187 by the way, typo.  Another skill those who are ready for college or a career should have, that of stepping back, reviewing and amending.  Time tests do not allow for reflection, why don't you write about that.

Republican Evil

The eight republican presidential candidates who debated the other evening are all idiots.  Worse, they are ugly, ugly human beings.  Their level of disrespect for the office of the presidency is evident, so it is clear that they do not aspire to be leaders but to be a sort of celebrity.  They are self-serving individuals who have no interest or intent on making the lives of the majority of Americans better.  They are saying what ultra conservative members of our country want to hear, just to get elected, then they will fulfill an agenda that is written to benefit the richest members of society.  They will sleep well at night even though their platforms disregard the needest people, even though their agendas are to wipe out an educated middle class.  They have no conscience, and they feel they are the chosen, entitled ones.  They have friends in high places and desire to keep them as they desire to continue to live their high life styles.  The republicans in the House and Senate have one goal, to see President Obama fail, and it doesn't matter what the consequences of their actions (or in-action), are to the commoner.  They want to reign, pure and simple.  President Obama is a black man, and the conservative republicans can't stand that.  Make no mistake, a white democratic president they would be able to handle, they can't handle that the highest office of the land is being held by a black man.  They are not tolerant, they have no integrity and they are not truthful.  If you don't see that you are blind.  America is being destroyed, and the destroyers do not care because they have wealth enough to be on top, and believe me they do not look down. 
Rosemary

A letter to the Governor and my reps.

Good Evening,


So today I found out that I will pay $3558.24 this next school year towards my health benefits. I do not yet know what my salary will be, but since it is a contract year, I am expecting that there will be a significant pay cut. Please divulge for me the amount of money your health benefits will cost you, and what sort of a pay cut you are counting on taking as part of your desire to share the sacrifice. And yes Governor, I am aware that you are not taking a salary, but you are a millionaire.  Perhaps you would be willing to share your wealth as part of your shared sacrifice?  I will expect a speedy reply as I am sure you want to reassure me that you are indeed sharing in the sacrifice you are so ready to extract from me and my middle class cohorts.

That's what I sent.  I wanted to send what I continued writing, but I figured my venting would not get me anywhere with the Gov or his buds.  Wish others would listen though. 

I think that it would benefit you to know that since I will be making less, I will be spending less. Since I will be spending less, businesses will be doing less business. Since businesses will be doing less business, they will not be hiring, in fact they will have to downsize. Since businesses will not be prospering there will not be a revitalization of Michigan, and more people will leave the state seeking greener pastures. There will be many people who cannot leave for better opportunities so they will remain here, poor and bitter. Michigan will become some unholy, ugly abyss that spews hate and frustration at those who brought us to this place. Do you give a shit? Oh, I forgot, you don't give a shit because you are rich, you are self rightous, and you are oblivious to those in need. You are not public servants, which you are supposed to be.  You think you are the chosen ones, chosen to continue to ensure that you and your friends in high places will not fall from the pedestals you have put yourselves on.  How do you sleep at night? 

Rosemary

Some questions for my followers and those who aren't, especially those who aren't.

What scares you right now?  What are you most worried about?  Are you happy with the way things are going?  Do you feel positive about your future?  These are serious questions that I am really hoping you that do read my blog will ponder and answer.  You know how I feel, and I am interested in what you think and how you feel.  I am interested in knowing if you think our Governor and his Republican colleagues have your best interests at heart or if you feel victimized and afraid for your future.  I want to know if you think that what the Republicans in Washington are for, is good for you.  I want to know if you read the paper and are aware of the legislation that is being put through at the state and the national level.  I want to know if you are aware of some of the most recent Supreme Court decisions and if they worry you.  I want to know if you are one of the lucky ones with tremendous wealth, if you are willing to "share the sacrifice," and if so, if you are willing to lobby for higher tax rates for you.  I have more questions for you.  Does the price at the pump flummox you?  Does it anger you?  Will it keep you closer to home this summer?  Do you know that they are protesting in Britain because of what is happening to the middle class and the poor and if your read about it, it sounds just like what is happening here, but without the massive protests?  I wonder if you are aware that for the first time after a recession, ordinary Americans still struggle but the meager gains the economy is seeing are going mostly to the most wealthy?  Corporate profits are up, yet pay for workers is being slashed and there are no new jobs, does that bother you, even a little bit?  Maybe you haven't felt anything different yet, but do you care that many have and many more will, possibly you?  My parent's generation had an expression, "This country is going to Hell in a hand basket."  The world changes of course, but the changes happening now are too costly for all but those at the top whose fault it is that we are going to Hell in a hand basket.  Yes we got trouble, but it doesn't start with a capital P, it starts with a capital G and it stands for GREED!  If you agree with me I would like to ask you to start writing and calling your reps to tell them how you feel.  If you do not agree with me, I truly would like you to tell me why.  One more thing I would like to add because I think of it every time I hear Glenn Beck speak, "What so ever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do onto me."  I mean really, what do you think God and Jesus are thinking about all the cuts being made that directly target those with the greatest need?  Consider that a sidebar. 
Rosemary

Just need to clarify - sent to the Free Press

I have addressed Governor's Snyder's ACT data before in letters to this paper, but those letters have not been printed. Please, his statement that only 16% of Michigan's graduates are college ready is misleading. First of all, this 16% he continues to throw around is a figure generated by a test that takes place in one day. It is a test taken in March of a student's eleventh grade year. It is a test taken by EVERY JUNIOR in Michigan. It is a very difficult test, and if Governor Snyder did not have an agenda to dismantle public education, he would tell the public that Michigan students' scores have been improving, but that would not serve him well. What makes a student college ready and how is that readiness determined? It certainly isn't a student's ACT score. That score may be a benchmark, but it isn't the be all and end all of what makes a kid ready to succeed in college. I have known students who scored below 20 on the ACT to become very successful, and students who have scored above 30 to drop out of college after a year. What determines college readiness is not a score on a one day test, and Governor Snyder is doing every student and parent in Michigan a disservice by continuing to use this 16% nonsense as a reason to "reform" public education. I think it is important to point out that ACT is a nonprofit organization that makes millions. There is a reason that the ACT became part of the MME, and it has to do with making money. Testing is a big business, it doesn't ensure that Michigan's students receive a quality education, but it does ensure that the testing industry continues to grow and prosper.


Now to switch gears as I continue to clarify misperceptions. Mr. Stephen Henderson, please stop being so impressed with Governor Snyder. In your Thursday's column you talk about him like he is a motivational speaker! You quote our governor as saying, "It's about people helping people." Really? Who are the people he is helping? He is not helping the poor, he is not helping Michigan's students, he is not helping the elderly, but hey he is helping his business friends. You do say you want more than his happy dance, way more. You say, "If it is going to inspire massive job creation, the state's industry titans need to start showing that soon. If it doesn't, much of the pain inflicted by the governor's budget - cuts to schools, social programs and assistance for poor people - may not have been worth it." When is destroying the programs that take care of the most vulnerable and wanting in a society ever a means to an end, and worth it? You say you are with Snyder on 80% of what he is doing, you love his positivity, and his refusal to let anything derail his agenda. So you are with him on the harm he is doing to every segment of society but the wealthy? Then shame on you. And why shouldn't he be positive? He's a millionaire whose business tax cuts directly benefit him. As for his agenda, what the hell ever happened to democracy? He said one thing while campaigning, "Cut taxes, and they will come." I didn't vote for him because I knew that what he was saying was untrue. He has taxed me more, and guess what? No jobs have come.

Finally, to address the misconception that teachers are upset because they will have to "share the sacrifice." One letter in Sunday's paper welcomes me to the middle class as someone who will now pay 20% towards my health care.  I would be fine with sharing the sacrifice in this way, but must I also have my pay cut by the government, then again by my district, on top of the 3% cut I already took to pay into retirement benefits for those retiring ahead of me? And let's not forget that when I retire, my pension, already reduced because it is based on what I earn in the last three years before retirement, and that will be reduced considerably, will now be taxed. My job protection is not going to be there, so I can't complain about any of this. Now here's the best part, as a teacher, I am soley responsible for whether or not my students are successful and meet the standards set by the state, and if they don't, I will be evaluated as ineffective and put on the road to dismissal. Share the sacrifice? How about hanging me out to dry?

Rosemary

I know that what is happening to me has happened to others, and I know that this is going to come across as very "poor, poor, pitiful me," but I am going to write it anyway.  I grew up in a middle class family, and I remained middle class.  I married a good man with a good job at Ford Motor Co., but not an executive.  I taught school for a few years after we got married and was lucky enough to be able to stay at home and raise my kids for thirteen years.  We did not live high off the hog, but we didn't want for anything.  We enjoyed a very moderate lifestyle.  I returned to work at a time when my kids were all in school, and I was looking to be someone other than a wife and mom.  It was also a time when our financial state needed a bit of a boost, because kids are expensive.  My income did not provide us with luxuries but it enabled us to maintain a moderate lifestyle, and not want for anything.  Throughout those years and until now, while some years were definitely better than others, we never felt poor.  I remember saying to a friend, that we would be all right in retirement because we didn't need much.  I always thought we would be all right.  So here I am today with a job that I always thought was a good job.  I actually have loved my job and have been very good at it, and it has provided us with an income that has allowed us to continue to live a moderate lifestyle, but no more.  I now find myself in a profession that is reviled and more difficult to do effectively than ever before.  With all of the changes that will happen due to budget cuts I will not love my job, but more than that I won't be able to do it well.  I will be given more work to do, my resource to complain about unfair and unsafe working conditions will be taken away, and I will be making much, much less.  Making much, much less will impact how we live.  My husband is retired, my pay cut and paying 20% for my benefits will take us from middle class to poor.  We never over extended, but we did count on what we had still being there near the end of my working life and into retirement, but it is being snatched away by the greed that runs this state and this country.  Now I know that others are far, far worse off, and I know that those who are now worse off will be more devastated, so that bodes these questions;  Why doesn't anyone care?  Why are there people so unaware?  Why are those in office allowed to steamroll legislation through Congress that so impacts the lives of  so many, and those affected and unaffected are doing nothing?  Why is all of what is happening in the state legislature even considered legal?  Why are those upper class  people, living very cushy lifestyles so very happy with this administration?   I could go on and on, but by now I hope you get the point; we are being screwed and guess what?  We just keep turning over. 

Rosemary

With thanks to Dr. Suess.

I do not like that Snyder man.
I do not like him Sam I am.
I will vote for whom I can,
it will not be that Snyder man.

All those friends of Snyder man?
I do not like them Sam I am.
I will vote for whom I can,
It will not be friends of Snyder man!

I do not like that Snyder man.
I do not like him Sam I am.
His balanced budget is just a scam
cuz he owns a business, Sam I am!

He doesn't like the you and me,
but he sure likes the wealthy.
He takes and takes from you and me,
and gives it all back to the wealthy!

No, I do not like that Snyder man.
I do not like him Sam I am.
And all those friends of Snyder man?
I do not like them Sam I am.

He seems to know just what to say
to make the people believe his way,
but he throws figures all about
and they're all wrong I want to shout!

And all those friends of  Snyder man?
All their heads are in the sand.
They talk and talk like they know,
and they put on quite a show.

So if you're poor or middle class
and think he's good, then your an ass.
You should not like that Snyder man.
No, they should not, Sam I am

Perhaps it will not come to pass
that another vote will be cast
for Snyder man or his friends
That's what I'm hoping Sam I am.

Please sign and pledge to recall
recall, recall, recall them all!
They are not good, they are not wise
they want to hurt us little guys.

Please, please understand
why I do not like that Snyder man.
He talks about shared sacrifice
but he has me sharing thrice.

I get to give up salary
and pay more to stay healthy.
And one day when I can retire?
My pensions taxed, so I'm for hire.

No I do not like that Snyder man.
I do not like him Sam I am.
The poor will suffer under his plan
more than now, that's just insan....ity!

And all those friends of Snyder man,
the ones that back all his plans?
I do not like them Sam I am
and so I will not, can not vote for them.

One more thing needs to be said
before I put this poem to bed.
We have good schools, and they serve all
Snyder man would see them fall.

Who is Snyder man listening to?
It isn't me, and it isn't you.
So down in Whoville, we are scared
cuz the smallest ones will not be spared.

I do not like that Snyder man
I do not like him Sam I am. 

Rosemary

Rick Snyder, the self proclaimed "nerd" received three degrees from the University of Michigan by the age of 23.  He went on to become a millionaire and he now owns his own investment company, Ardesta LLC, which invests in small, start up businesses. I can't believe that this intelligent businessman could not find a way to increase the employment opportunities in Michigan and balance the budget without devastating the working poor, the unemployed, the elderly, and the public sector workers.  Will his company benefit from the new tax breaks for businesses?  Will his family lose income?  What's wrong with this picture?

Rosemary

Gov. Snyder's Education Reforms

I have been trying to digest all of the ideas that our new governor has when it comes to improving the educational system here in Michigan.  There are many trying to make sense of his plan, trying to help others see the merits of his plan, and others trying to help the public understand what is wrong with his plan.  I watched him on FlashPoint today, and my goodness but he sounds calm and reasonable!  I can see why many believe him to be a visionary and on the right track to improve our "broken system."  I have some information that I believe is important for the public to know.  We keep hearing that only 16% of our students are ready for college, and that this is based on the ACT scores of Michigan's 11th graders.  The ACT is given as part of the Michigan Merit Exam and all juniors in Michigan high schools must take it.  It used to be that only those students who intended to go directly from high school to a four-year college took the ACT exam, obviously these students were motivated to do their very best as their score would play a major role in getting into their college of choice.  Many students would take the exam more than once in the hopes of achieving a higher score on subsequent tries.  Today the only students exempt from taking the ACT are a percentage of students with cognitive impairments and some of the students with autism.  Students with severe learning disabilities take it, as well as students who are limited in English proficiency.  Medically fragile students who miss many days of instruction must take it as well as students who are not present for instruction daily for other reasons.  My point is that using this one score as the basis for determining how many Michigan students are ready for college upon graduation is unfair and very misleading.  As in the past, those students very motivated and planning to attend a four-year college immediately after graduation, take the ACT more than once, however, how they score on subsequent tries will not be included in the state's data.  Now, I hear some of you, probably the Gov being one, saying "Well why aren't all Michigan eleventh graders planning to go to a four-year college immediately after graduation?"  Many can't afford it or don't know what they want to do so they plan to attend a community college first, and personally I think this should be encouraged.  This brings me to the next comment we keep hearing that needs to be addressed.  Governor Snyder wants it known that too many of Michigan's graduates need to take remedial courses at community colleges after graduating from high school.  This is a sad fact.  Today we have the Michigan Merit Curriculum, it is "rigorous" and it is the only curriculum available to those wanting a high school diploma.  While this sounds good and right, what it means is that too many students are sitting in Michigan high school classrooms receiving instruction that is meaningless to them, they can't access it and we can't remediate them, or their career needs require a vocational track that is being squeezed out.  When we are compared to other countries you need to know that not ALL of the students in the country attend the high schools designed to produce college ready students.  Most countries separate and offer different educational options to students after middle school.  We do not do that, we offer a FREE education to ALL of our children.  Are there areas of the public school system that needs reform?  Yes, of course there are, change needs to be a regular and anticipated fact because we are evolving, but let's be careful when we look to see where the problems really lie, and then let's be careful what we wish for.

Rosemary

This Land Is Your Land...

I am very worried about the future of education in our state and in our country.  I am very worried about my job as an educator and the compensation I receive for doing that job, but I also have other worries.  After reading an article in the NY Times about the push in states to deregulate the environment, I got so angry and knew I had to say something, but I just didn't know how to put my disbelief and disgust in words.  Last night I went to see Peter Yarrow in concert at the Ark, and now I know what needs to be said.

Governor Paul LePage in Maine, put away your 63-point plan to cut environmental regulations and open up three million acres of your North Woods to development because

This land is your land, this land is MY land
From California, to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and ME.

Governor Rick Scott of Florida, take back your proposal to eliminate millions for land conservation and millions more cut from restoring the dwindling Everglades because

As I was walking this ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was mad for you and ME

To the Republicans in North Carolina, take back your proposed budget that would cut operating funds to the state's Department of Environment and Natural Resources by 22 percent because

I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and ME.

To the Republicans in Washington who have been fighting hard for rollbacks to the Environmental Protection Agency, clean air and water regulations renewable energy and other conservation programs, may I remind you,

This land is your land, this land is MY land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and ME.

What is the reason for slashing the funds that protect our land?  Well, according to Governor LePage it is the working families and small businesses in Maine who are endangered and need to be defended  with the same vigor as the tree frogs and Canadian Lynx!  You see, all of these regulations are just too burdensome to business interests and are apparently keeping people from being able to find work.  Did you know that Republicans made it clear last November that reducing all government was important, but cutting environmental regulations was a priority?  Why?  (For some of us a rhetorical question).

To New Jersey's Governor Chris Christie, please rethink your statement that the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, which preserves more than 800,000 acres of open land that supplies drinking water to more than half of your state's residents is an infringement on property rights.  Your desire to shift power from planning boards to administrative judges who will favor the interests of developers is just not right because

The sun comes shining as I was strolling
the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
the fog was lifting a voice was chanting
this land was made for your and ME.

In Florida, Governor Scott has asked to cut staff members to 40 from 358 at the Department of Community Affairs, which regulates land use and was created to be a control on unchecked urban sprawl.  These cuts according to one of the Gov's spokesman, will enable businesses to grow again in Florida.  Now get this statement he made; "the governor does care about the environment, but feels it is more important to get people back to work."  By cutting 318 people from the Dept. of Community Affairs?  What? 

If you don't get what is happening think about the last verse of Woody Guthrie's song

In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.

Rosemary

letters@freepress.com

 Normally, if the Free Press is considering publishing a letter to the editor they send an email stating that within a couple of days.  Since I haven't received that email, it looks like the FREEP is again not wanting to print facts in contradiction to their misconceptions.  Shame on them.

I wrote a response to another editorial in the Free Press two months ago that did not get printed.  Your article, Mr. Henderson, is very much like that editorial so I am responding again.  Please, educate yourself.  You are incorrect in what you think is wrong and how to fix it.  It is only fair that Free Press readers get the facts, so please print my response this time.  I thank you in advance for presenting both sides of this issue. 

Mr. Henderson,
You say our standards aren't good enough.  If you read Michigan's standards and benchmarks at each grade level I think you will find that they are quite "good enough", in fact many are extremely "rigorous."  If certain school systems in our state are not considering these standards and benchmarks in the lessons they teach to their students that is a problem, but it is not a problem with our standards.  If certain students in our state are unable to internalize the concepts being taught, that is a problem, but it is not a problem with our standards.  So to say that Michigan schools are failing because our standards are not high enough, is simply, not true.  As for your MEAP and NAEP comparisons, and the data you freely throw around, let me clear some things up for your readers.  The MEAP is given to all of the students in a certain grade level.  The NAEP is given to a sampling of students in that grade level.  You say in 2009, only about 35% of Michigan 4th graders did adequate work on the NAEP which makes it sound like they tested far below the national average which isn't so.  For 4th graders the scores in mathematics were just slightly lower, in reading they were practically even as they were in science, and only slightly below in writing.  I find it ironic that on Jan. 25th of this year, in your paper, an article was written titled "Michigan students outpace U.S. national average on the NAEP exam!  Let me also clarify something about standardized tests.  There is something called a score spread that is necessary in order for the test to produce comparisons.  The makers of these tests want a wide range of difference in the scores.  Questions that produce the most score spread are ones that only about half of the test takers can answer correctly.  Now get this, the questions on these tests that can be answered correctly by half the population tested are linked to the students' socioeconomic status.  Can you guess which half answers correctly?  Another fact, standardized tests were never meant to determine successful and failing schools.  One more fact, those that produce these tests are making loads of money.  Although non-profit, in 2007 ETS made 94 million, ACT took in 35 millions and CollegeBoard, 55 million!  These company leaders support politicians.  While there may be much wrong with some districts in Michigan, there is much right with many others, and how a student scores on a standardized test is the least telling factor in what is working and what is not. 

97.1 Friday morning, it made my blood boil

I don't usually listen to 97.1 in the morning, but on Friday while driving to work, that is what I had on.  The discussion was centered around the 10% pay cut forced on teachers in West Bloomfield by their school board.  By the time I got to school, I was so mad I could have spit as my dear mother would say, and my blood was boiling.  I was just glad that I was not able to pick up the phone, or send an email with my comment, because it would have been a rant of epic proportion.  Now that I have calmed down, I need to clarify a couple of things for the morning crew of 97.1.  While the hosts seemed to truly be in support of teachers, the one kept asking in regards to why the teachers' pay should not be cut, "but where are they going to get the money?"  They of course being the schools.  How about from the school aid fund?  It is not broke, but the Governor plans to take about 900 million, from K-12 and give it to community colleges and 15 public universities, that's why he says Michigan needs to cut 470.00 per pupil from the budget. No Gov, you don't.  The money in the fund belongs to the K-12 educational system, and the Governor can not just use it as he pleases.  It is also my understanding that in the past this fund has been borrowed from and it has not been paid back, so Gov. Snyder is not the first to steal from Michigan's children.  This brings me to another misconception the morning crew at 97.1 have.  If the students of Michigan suffer because of the lack of educational funding, it will not be the fault of the teachers.  IT WILL BE THE FAULT OF THE GOVERNOR AND HIS PEOPLE IN LANSING!  Again, the one host was getting upset that teachers would stop showing up for school events, on their own time, or basically stop doing "work" beyond the school day.  "This only hurts the kids."  He said this over and over again, and he couldn't understand how, good and dedicated teachers could do this.  Here is what teachers have heard for years, "You make an awful lot of money for only working 6 hours a day, 9 months a year."  Too many people believe this, and now with this assault on teachers, how can anyone expect that there won't be that desire to show the public what a six hour day would look like?  So if it looks like the students in Michigan are going to be hurt by all of the changes that will be taking place as school districts cut upwards of twenty million from their budgets, and the students will be hurt by this, don't get mad at the teachers, get mad at your legislature and then help us do something about it.  Call them, write them and tell them you don't like how Governor Snyder is reinventing Michigan, and tell THEM to stop hurting kids.
Rosemary

Trouble with a capital T

Yes, the the president of the MEA sent a letter to its members more or less suggesting that we prepare for a work stoppage.  One has not been called for, and a strike will not, I repeat, will not be demanded of us public school employees.  The irony is that House Speaker Jase Bolger called it "shameful for the MEA to put the union's interest ahead of children."  Cutting per pupil spending by 470 dollars, and more in some districts, is thinking of the children?  Districts are looking to cut anywhere from 15 million to 20 million from their budgets because our Governor and his Republican lead legislature are not putting children ahead of business, and that is a fact.  So shame on you Mr. Bolger.  Next, I have to ask why Michael Van Beek, the Director of Educational Policy for Mackinac Center, (whatever the hell that is), has any say in what is going on in public education, when he has absolutely no experience as a public educator?  He may have degrees, he may have taught, but according to the bio I read, he has no experience as a public school educator. And next, colleges are paying more to retain good people, guess they are trying to be more like the private sector as has been asked, hurray for them!  Finally, I will miss Bob Herbert's column in the New York Times, he says what I have been saying, the middle class, the working class?  Going, going gone.  And the poor?  Our governor doesn't care about the poor, and that's a fact.  Wake up and smell the coffee as Ann Landers used to say, because if you don't, and real soon, if you are middle class you are going to be poor, and if you are poor, well, what's poorer?  Dead?  I'm not kidding.  If you're wealthy?  Don't worry, the gov likes you. 
Rosemary

Congressional staffers rewarded with higher salaries.

Here are reasons some members of congress gave for paying more money to people on their staff.  When Rep. Kildee was asked if spending more money on salaries was justified during the worst financial crisis since the great depression, he said it was, especially because his constituents are in more need of help.  According to the government, our school children are more in need of help than ever before, so using Rep. Kildee's reasoning,  teachers should be paid more, not be asked to take pay cuts.  Erin Donor thinks more money is due to staffers who are have been around a long time and have much experience because there are few issues they haven't dealt with.  Again, that is a good argument for not capping teachers' salaries, but having those who stick around for long time continue to earn more because their experience is so valuable.  Donar also said the hours are long, the work is hard and his staff should be rewarded.  Teaching is hard work, and the hours are long with much time spent on the work of school beyond the work day, so would Donar agree that teachers should be rewarded with higher pay?  Rep. Dingell defends spending more money on staffers' salaries because the goal is to have qualified staff that is hardworking, experienced and stays with the office.  If school districts would like to have qualified, hardworking teachers who will remain in the district shouldn't they pay for that?  Brad Fitch, who heads the Congressional Management Foundation, said most staffers could earn more in the private sector and the work load has increased while staff sizes have capped.  Most teachers have advanced degrees and would certainly find higher paying jobs in the private sector, and the work load and class sizes have increased yet there is no pay raise in sight.  Retired Rep. Bart Stupak said people "have no idea how many hours staffers work."  I can say the same thing, people "have no idea how many hours teachers work.  But there are benefits for the hard work and long hours of the staffers.  This is often a stepping stone to a more lucrative career, their pension and health care are as secure as any in the U.S. and overtime pay is required under federal labor law.  Unfortunately, none of this is true for teachers who are in the fight of their lives to simply keep what they have.  I don't get it, do you?

Have We Met Before?

This is something I wrote on my writing site.  I thought I had posted it before, but I can't find it, and now, I want someone to.  It was for a contest for a short very short story that had to start with, "Have we met before?"  So enjoy, and let me know what you think.  Don't get why I am about to do what I am going to do, but I am!

"Have we met before?" He uttered these words before I could even sit down. I looked up at him, but I was not sure what to say, how to tell him. I struck a pose and beamed, "Yes, we met in elementary school. You didn't like me much and I stuck my tongue out at you."

The response was what I expected, surprise, so I continued. "We met again in junior high, at the sock hop. It was fun. You asked me to dance, so shy, but your smile betrayed your confidence and I fell in love. We weren't quite ready yet, and we went our separate ways not to meet again until our junior year in high school."

Now he looked at me completely puzzled, and he slowly took a sip of the drink that was on the table before him. "Would you like something?" he inquired with a steady gaze.

"No, I don't think so. Oh, alright, I'll have what you're having. "So," I began. "Do you remember me?" He seemed to be in deep thought, and then he looked up at me and quietly asked, "Have we met before?"

I set my water down and looked into those confused eyes and replied, "Yes, at the prom. I was with your cousin, and you asked me to dance, so shy, but your smile betrayed your confidence and I fell in love, again. You were going off to college though, and I was just a dance."

"So I know you?" He lifted his head and asked.

"Yes, like no one else on this earth. You know where I hide, you know what I don't say, and you know what I pray for."

"Have we met before?" He asked.

"Yes, at the fair. You were home, graduated from college. I was on the midway, the music was playing, and you asked me to dance, so shy, but your smile betrayed your confidence, and I fell totally in love."

"I'm hungry." he said. "Should we eat now?"

"Yes." I answered. "Let's go to the cafeteria and get our supper."

On the way, he met many people he knew. "Hello Gerry, Gertrude, how are you two ladies doing tonight?" "Sam, haven't seen you in a few days, glad you are up and about again." And they looked at him, at me, and Sam asked, "Does he know you today?"

"No, not today Sam, but I am helping him remember, so maybe tomorrow."

We took our seats at the table, we had both chosen the same thing to eat. He was slathering butter on his potato and eyeing his roast beef when he looked at me and inquired, "Have we met before?"

"Yes, in 1949, at the altar. We said "I do" to each other and then at our reception, with all confidence you asked, "Mrs. Brady, may I have this dance?" And for the second time that day, I answered, "Yes."

"I'm feeling rather tired." he said as he stretched and yawned. Perhaps you'll come back again, I have so enjoyed catching up." We walked together down the hall to his room, I held his elbow to steady him. We entered his room, his bed had been turned down and I led him to it. He sat down. "Have we met before?" He asked as he removed his slippers.

"Yes, my Darling." I answered as I stroked his head. "We met in the delivery room in 1951 and again in 53 and with much joy and astonishment in 1960! We met in the funeral home when our parents passed away, we met again at the grave of our child of 1960. We have met at the altar when our own flesh and blood wed, and at the fountain of salvation when their babies were baptized. We have held hands, touched places only we can touch, and loved so much. Have we met before? Oh yes, I know you." I sat for a minute, preparing to leave. I turned to lay a gentle kiss upon his cheek. I saw a tear meet at the edge of a smile that betrayed all confidence, and I knew I would be back tomorrow hoping to dance.

Dear Gov. Walker

Here's a letter written to Gov. Scott Walker:

Governor Walker,
I must address your statement that you "have no doubt" that support for the measure would grow over time.  Why are you signing a bill that does not have public support now?  Aren't you elected by the people, for the people?  Or do you think you were elected to just take care of some of the people?  Who are those people you are in office to take care of?  Obviously not the hard working middle class men and women of your state.  After you were elected you wrote; Dear Friends, "Today begins a new chapter in the history of our state...We have a bold plan to help the private sector create 250,000 new jobs by 2015."  So creating private sector jobs is the goal, and to hell with the public employees?  You also said about this bill, "Once the public sees government becoming more efficient, support for the changes will increase."  What does union busting have to do with the government running itself efficiently?  I simply do not understand the connection, BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ONE!  And there's more to your rhetoric;  "What we're doing here...is progressive.  It's innovative."  NO IT'S NOT!  Those in power have been screwing those without power since time began.  You want to do something innovative?  Tell those with the money to take it elsewhere and then do what's right.  Finally, you say the new law will be "good for the middle class for years to come."  I need you to elaborate.  I need you to be specific.  Just how will this new legislation be good for the middle class for years to come?  I await your reply addressing my concerns.  While I am not from Wisconsin, please do not ignore me, because as a great man once said, "When there is injustice somewhere, there is injustice everywhere."  Another important man once said, "Something that affects one directly, affects all indirectly."  I am affected by this.

Rosemary 

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Read and respond.

Okay, I am writing some good stuff and it isn't generating dialogue.  If you are reading I would really like to know what you think, because thinking is what we need right now.  I am not going to be insulted if you disagree with my opinions, in fact, if you have different opinions with solid reasoning, I would be interested.  Yes, it takes time to read and respond, but aren't you wanting to be challenged and to have the opportunity to be part of a conversation that will impact you?  Come on, read, respond, have fun!  Eric, where are you?  I miss the disagreement. 

NY Times article

Where is the outrage at the ignorance of those in the position of power and decision making?  Why are school administrators  and superintendents remaining so quiet when the institutions they have been given charge of are being insulted, torn apart in the press with the use of data that misinforms and outright lies, and is basically being set up for ultimate destruction?  No money for schools means more students in the classroom and Eric k Hanushek, a Stanford Economist, argues that the impact of small classes on achievement has been exaggerated.  Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education, says he would prefer to put his own school-age children in a classroom of 28 students led by a "fantastic teacher" than one with 23 students and a "mediocre" teacher.  Dr. Roza, who is Bill Gates adviser, says average class sizes have not ballooned, "Maybe the national average went up one kid, but I don't think we've jumped to 30 kids per class."  They're all kidding right?  Of course smaller class size enhances the educational experience for students, at all levels, and if the research that we've clung to that confirms this is being replaced with new research that refutes it, please publish the research (and don't bring Japan into this, our entire system of education is different, if you want to have 60 students be successful in a classroom, then track, discipline, hold students and parents accountable, respect the teaching profession, and weed out the ones who can't quite keep up, oh and send the best and the brightest to the country that our leaders would have us believe has a dismal education system!).  To Mr. Duncan I would just like to say, what planet are you on?  What public school district has had class sizes of 28 students in recent history?  And please, "fantastic" and "mediocre"?  Teachers are professionals, and the job they do encompasses so many duties, obligations and challenges that to describe their performance as you would a contestant in a game is downright insulting. Finally, Bill Gates, you need to rid yourself of the adviser,  You deal with numbers and hers are way off.  Yes, we have ballooned to 30 students in a classroom and beyond!  So I ask again, where is the outrage?

Rosemary

It's coming together.

More things getting done bringing us closer to the big day.  Andrea was home this weekend and we had appointments with photographers, DJs, decorators, and then a trip to David's Bridal to look at bridesmaid dresses.  Now she has to share all the info with Joe, and they will have to start thinking about who to go with and what to do!  Still plenty of time, and more people to confer with, but it is a start and a frame of reference.  It's funny because when they got engaged and decided on a December wedding, I thought, plenty of time.  Now we are already saying it is only nine months away!  And, I can't wait to get out of winter and into spring, yet my mind is consumed with next December!  I have the doom and gloom of our political system ready to slay me, and the wonderful experience of working with my daughter to plan her wedding, guess I will be having my ups and downs over the course of this year!  Okay, now I am going to read the paper so I might be back.

Rosemary

The Dress

Got the dress.  I was in Ohio last weekend, bridal gown shopping with Andrea.  On Saturday we went to Wendy's Bridal Salon, a very nice store in Dublin.  Andrea tried on about eight dresses and we were sure she had found the one!  When she came out of the dressing room and stood on the pedestal, I just smiled from ear to ear, and she was smiling too.  We left there feeling like we should keep the next day's appointment, but we would probably be back to get the dress from Wendy's.  On Sunday we went to Elegant Brides and met with Wafa!  She was great and together she and Andrea chose about seven dresses to try on.  Most of these dresses were very different from what she had on the day before and while beautiful, none were matching up to the dress from Wendy's.  Then, she came out in THE ONE.  I didn't know it then, because while I knew it was absolutely gorgeous, we had so liked the one the day before.  Andrea I know was sold, but we went back to Wendy's to put the dress from there back on.  When she came out in it, I still smiled from ear to ear because here stood my little girl looking every bit like a bride, and I knew it was not the dress because the other one made her look like a goddess!  Got the dress.

Rosemary

Education Reform Part 5

According to an article in the Free Press, it seems that fewer than 10% of students graduating this spring are college ready.  Maybe they are not college ready because they come to school in their pajamas, listening to their ipods and texting on their iphones totally oblivious to the world around them.  Makes me sound like an old fogey doesn't it?  Well I guess I am.  I don't get the lax rules in schools today.  It isn't the curriculum that needs to be more rigorous, it is the expectations that we have for students' appearance and behavior that need to be raised.  Let's raise that bar and see what happens.  If schools could take control back from students who think no rules apply to them, we might be able to graduate kids who are ready for the challenges that face them after high school.  A citizen in Detroit was quoted as saying "If they can't control 30 students in the classroom, how are they going to control 60?"  Why is it so difficult to control the behavior of students in many public schools today?  Maybe because today's students have no idea that there are rules to be obeyed as they see the adults around them breaking them everyday.  Maybe because today's students have mommy and daddy swooping in the minute the student has the slightest problem with anyone in the school, screaming that it isn't their kid's fault.  Our leaders might tell us that in Japan classrooms have 60 students, so what's the problem?  Well, in Japan the students enter the classroom and bow to the teacher, and apologize if they were absent the day before, or are arriving late!  Picture that in an American classroom full of students who are reading about how horrible their educational system is, and are listening to everyone and his brother bash the teacher.  We have good kids, we have respectful, thoughtful, and motivated kids, and we have kids who are graduating with the skills necessary to succeed in college.  Let's start hearing about them and the good teaching it took to make it happen.

Rosemary

Education Reform Part 4

Stop using state and national assessments as a way to judge if teachers are doing their jobs.  Here is a letter I just sent to the Free Press.  I don't know if they will print it or not because it is fairly long so I am posting it here.  Those who want real education reform need to stop putting all the apples in the testing basket, and they need to stop throwing data around to prove their point.  Data needs to be analyzed.  When newspaper writers and politicians just throw the numbers around it is misleading, and it becomes a tool of propaganda.

WHERE TO BEGIN?
Let's start with the editorial in Monday's paper, "New metrics reveal schools' real woes."  "When the state Board of Education lowered the cut scores..."  I am not sure the board ever lowered the cut scores, but yes, according to an esteemed colleague of mine, the scores were set low at the start with idea of raising them little by little.  That was never done so now the scores have been raised dramatically.  Then there is this statement; "More than three-quarters of the state's students did adequate work on the MEAP, but only 30% did so on the NAEP."  I am assuming this is based on the data of 4th and/or 8th graders since both the MEAP and the NAEP are given at those grade levels, (the results of the 12th grade NAEP scores were not listed on the NAEP website, and the last results I found were from the 2009 assessment year.)  First it must be pointed out that all 4th and 8th graders take the MEAP, but only a sampling of these students take the NAEP.  Secondly, the 30% makes it sound like Michigan students tested far below the national average which isn't so.  For 4th graders the scores in mathematics were just slightly lower, in reading they were practically even as they were in science, and only slightly below in writing.  8th grade scores were again, just slightly lower in mathematics, even in reading, slightly higher in science and just slightly below in writing.  If another "sampling" of students were chosen the scores would have been different, perhaps far better.  I find it interesting that on Jan 25th of this year, Lori Higgings, a Free Press education writer, had an article titled "Michigan students outpace U.S. national average on the NAEP exam!"  Which way does the wind blow?   The editorial goes on to say that "reraising" (again the scores have been dramatically increased, but I am not sure they have been "reraised), the cut scores will more closely reflect the standards that children are meeting in other states."  Which states?  I found many states where the scores on the NAEP were much lower than the national average.  I believe the demographics of the states have much to do with the results.  Then there is this;  "Michigan's slide backward in educational achievement has been going on for a decade or more, and has touched a lot of different areas that now need attention."  This statement is just another slap to Michigan educators, it has no backbone or data given to support it!  On the positive side, the lack of funding for education in Michigan is mentioned as one of the areas that need attention.  The writer of the editorial says that Michigan has antiquated tenure laws which give school districts too little leverage to get rid of underperforming instructors, and union leaders who have been slow to embrace performance-based metrics.  I do not think any "good" teacher wants "bad" teachers to continue in the profession, however, you can not judge a "good" teacher based on the scores students get on state or national assessments because those scores reflect only how well the student tested that day, and not the knowledge the student has gained and can apply to real life and work situations.  Do these tests have a place?  Yes, but using just a number to decide if a school is succeeding in its job to educate its students is not it. 

Rosemary

Education Reform Part 3

This is precipitated by the news that a teacher in Pennsylvania is being threatened with the loss of her job for a blog she posted that does not put high school students in the best light.  I did not read her post, just reports about it and comments on it.  Part 3 of my education reform series was going to be about parents so this is fitting.  What would really help to reform education and enhance student achievement would be to let teachers be honest with parents.  Administration should support the teacher who has to deal with an angry parent and not cave in to the parent's demands because the school can't afford a lawsuit.  Yes, folks that is today's reality, if parents don't get their way they threaten the district with a lawsuit, and as you all know school districts have no money!  I can see the hesitation in going to court because the most ridiculous lawsuits win.  Here's the problem;   "One of Munroe's former students, who now attends McDaniel College in Westminster, Md., said he was torn by his former teacher's comments. Jeff Shoolbraid said that he thought much of what Munroe said was true and that she had a right to voice her opinion, but felt her comments were out of line for a teacher."  Why are her comments our of line if she spoke the truth?  If her students are not being appropriate in the school environment, why are there actions not having consequences?  
"Whatever influenced her to say what she did is evidence as to why she simply should not teach," Shoolbraid wrote in an e-mail to the AP. "I just thought it was completely inappropriate."   Why?  Frustration over the stress of trying to do your job well, when those you are trying to help are not participating in their own learning is not appropriate? 
He continued: "As far as motivated high school students, she's completely correct. High school kids don't want to do anything. ... It's a teacher's job, however, to give students the motivation to learn." 
It is a teacher's job to plan lessons that will deliver the curriculum and that will engage students.  It is the teacher's job to do everything possible to help the unmotivated.  But it is not the teacher's job to jump through hoops, bang her head against the wall, lose sleep, spend countless unpaid hours trying to find the answer to why the students "won't" engage and in the end fight a losing battle because no one in the students home is holding the student accountable  It is not the teachers job to give students the motivation to learn, young tadpole, that is the job of the home.  

 Rosemary

Education Reform Part 2

How do we improve education in Michigan and the good ol' U S of A?  It is vital to start by improving teacher education and my last blog addressed that.  Of course, my ideas are not all of the answers, but it is quite obvious that changes to how teachers-to-be are educated and trained need to be made.  I mean, I am sure the field of medicine has changed how doctors are educated based on the developments in the field, well, the structure of the family has changed, kids have changed due to the environment, nutrition (or lack of), and technology, how children learn has changed, in a big way, so how we learn to teach needs to change. 

Step 2:  Once on the job, there needs to be much better mentoring, and more opportunity to observe good and bad teaching.  Every new teacher needs to be paired with a master teacher, and it is common practice to pair the new teacher with one who is tenured, but the tenured teacher is not always a master teacher (and I will address the system of tenure in another part of this series).  The two of them should have time to go into other teachers' classrooms (not just once), that the master teacher has chosen, and then discuss what went on, what worked and what didn't and why.  This will cost money because substitutes will be needed to cover classes in order to free up the teacher-in-training and the master teacher, but it will be money well spent.  For this to realistically produce a better teacher, all teachers need to be willing to be critiqued, thereby improving many teachers!  I see teaching as a constantly evolving process, you're never done, you're never good enough and you're never as good as you can be.  New teachers also need to not have to do so many hours of professional development!  In most districts new teachers have to put in triple the amount of time as seasoned teachers to learn new things.  Doesn't it make more sense to let them use that time to implement what they just spent four or five years learning?  New teachers burn out quickly because it is so overwhelming and the support received is minimal, we need to change this.  I think teaching is a wonderful profession, and new teachers need to be encouraged and nurtured just as their students do.  Another change that needs to be made in the college education of teachers is to make it clear that the certificate that states they are "highly qualified" to teach such and such, does not mean that they now know it all.  I see too many new teachers who think they have nothing more to learn and that they are ready to go it alone.  That certificate means the new teacher is ready to start a career in teaching, and if day 1 looks the same as day 180, that's a problem.

Rosemary

Education Reform Intro and Part 1

Do we need to reform public education?  Yes, we do.  The people in Lansing and Washington, however, do not understand what needs to be done.  They think that by making the curriculum more rigorous we will produce smarter graduates, but we won't.  Why won't we you ask?  Well, we have many cognitively advanced students now who are excelling in their studies, going on to college and being successful there.  Then we have some cognitively advanced students who are not excelling, not doing average work, and some failing.  They don't "do school" well.  We have many cognitively average students now who are excelling in their studies, going to college and being successful there.  Then we have some cognitively average students who are not excelling, not doing average work, and some failing.  They don't "do school" well either.  And we have some cognitively below average students now, who because they work really hard, are excelling in their studies, going on to college and being successful there.  Then we have some cognitively below average students who are not excelling, not doing average work, and many failing.  They not only are less able, they don't "do school" well.  Kids who "do school" well, make it their focus.  They get to class not only on time, but early.  They prepare for learning by getting out the materials necessary and they are armed with all they need for that class, including their homework!  They sit up, they lean in, they turn their heads to the point of instruction or discussion.  They participate.  They want to learn, and they are willing to work hard to gain knowledge.  Kids who don't do well in school don't make it their focus.  We need to help them learn how to "do school."  Just "raising the bar" will not increase our graduation rate nor get our kids career and college ready.  So how do we do this?  Step 1:  Colleges need to improve their teacher training programs.  Those studying to become teachers need to be instructed in the basics of how to engage kids, (not entertain), and how to develop relationships with kids so they will want to learn from you.  Teachers need to KNOW KIDS.  All teachers should have many classes on child and adolescent development, not just one or two.  Teachers should LIKE KIDS, and there needs to be way to weed out those who think teaching is just a grand career because they fancy the time they think they will have off, or they just love a subject area and want others to love it too, but don't really have time to bothered with kids!  Teacher education in college should include some sort of interview/dialogue process (before student teaching), with seasoned teachers so those who probably shouldn't be teachers can be identified and gently led down another path!  Colleges need to have in the teacher education curriculum courses that will instruct teachers-to-be in how to share control with their students, in other words, to explore the idea of active learning as opposed to passive learning.  Teacher in charge and talking, talking, talking, just doesn't work for kids, at least not American kids and that's where we are.  It is time the people in Lansing and Washington realized we are not Japan and if you know about the educational system in Japan (and many European countries), that's a good thing (not that they don't have some excellent ideas that we should embrace, and I'll get to that).  We can best them, but not by just making school really, really hard.  Okay enough for tonight, Part 2 later. 
Rosemary

Grandchildren

Okay, I am so in love with my grandchildren.  McKenzie at three is just the brightest, most adorable little girl.  Braden is gorgeous, and every bit as smart as McKenzie in a sly sort of way.  I live for them.  I remember when I first held Kenzie in my arms on the day she was born, I simply fell in love again.  When Braden was given to me to hold, well, falling in love is a beautiful thing!  It is just so natural to be around them, to talk to them, to play and laugh and dance with them.  And they are so good!  They laugh and run and pretend and remember and love me back.  Well, Braden didn't for a while, he actually didn't want me around.  We figured it was because I am the one who stays over when Joe and Heather get a chance to get away, and Braden loves his mommy and daddy!   John, who babysits twice a week, is the King and one of their favorite things, but Braden would see me and think "hey mommy and daddy are going away!"  But, we have turned a corner!  I am now accepted, loved and hugged by my grandson!  There are so many things going on right now that worry me, make me sad, and upset me, but I have these wonderful beings in my life to bring me joy.  I can't thank God enough for them, and I know why they are here; they are pure, they are innocent, and they are love.  Grandchildren are here to remind us that God knows what he is doing, we are the ones who mess things up!  So goodnight to my loves and goodnight to you. 
Rosemary

Raise the bar, fall on your ass, blame public education

Okay, let's start with raising the bar.  There is a plan to set the bar higher for determining what's considered proficient on the MEAP and the MME.  The goal is to boost college readiness and career readiness.  First let me just make it clear that it isn't raising the bar higher that is a concern to those of us in the trenches; it is the fact that the bar was to be raised little by little, but it wasn't.  Students' test scores did improve as the Michigan Merit Curriculum was taught and learned, but the low cut scores were not increased little by little, instead they remained frozen.  Now they want to take the bar and make it unreachable for most students, they have stated that fewer students will pass state exams.  The curriculum is still being taught, and the students are still learning, but it won't look that way.  In fact, teachers will again be blamed for the failure of their students and the need to cut pay and benefits will be lauded as just punishment for not doing the job.  In reality the only thing that will have changed is a number.  Look at it like this; you're a member of the pole vaulting team and the minimum the bar is set at is 10 feet, all members must be able to consistently vault over that bar for your team to be considered successful. Your little brother is set to try out for the team next year.  You have been working with him and he can easily vault over the 10 foot bar and has successfully, on occasion, vaulted over a 13 foot bar.  Now, you just found out that the bar has been raised!  In order to make the team, in order to be proficient in pole vaulting, you must be able to vault over a bar that is 16 feet high!  Oh, and you have only one chance to do it.  Good luck, and don't blame the coach. 
Rosemary

Exciting News

I wasn't sure if I wanted to do any blogging about my daughter's engagement, but why not?  While it wasn't unexpected that the question would be popped around the holidays, it was still such a super exciting moment when we got the news.  John and I were at the home of a dear friend, and I was preparing to leave by visiting the bathroom when John's cell phone rang, and I just knew!  So out of the bathroom I came to hear John say something about how wonderful it was and then I took the phone and we just kind of jumped up and down for a while.  So now the planning begins, and I am praying and hoping that it will be more fun than not!  I did a lot to help Heather when she and Joe were getting married so I have some experience, but still...   Anyway, we are thrilled, my daughter picked a winner and he's a lucky man; it's just right.  Amen.
Rosemary

Dear Mrs. Green

Dear Mrs. Green,
I agree, there has been a lot of hatred going on and it needs to stop.  I am so sorry for your loss.  Your little girl is dead, because big people can't get along.  How sad and horrible is that?  She was born on September 11, 2001, and she thought she might like to be a politician.  She would have been a good one because she was kind and smart.  A bullet from a gun that the young man should never have had, ended her bright life, and it has ended his.   Wow, what a world we live in.  We are no better than any other country; we are not the home of the free and the land of the brave.  I don't feel free, I feel scared.  Bravery does not surround me, arrogance does.  Was the gunman crazy?  Yes.  Did others know this?  Yes.  Was anything done?  No.  So, Mrs. Green I will pray, for you and for all of us.  May we one day come to realize that every single decision that we must make should be a decision that offers protection to those who are vulnerable and to secure a future to those who will follow. 
Rosemary

I'm Trying!

I am trying to take this in another directions, but... Okay, reading Sunday's paper; "Finally: Help wanted in Michigan."  Fortunately this is a first in a series of articles, so I may get answers to my questions; like what a difference a week makes?  I swear, just a week ago all was doom and gloom, but now, suddenly the jobs are back!  The auto industry is leading the way with 23,000 hourly and salaried jobs needing to be filled this year alone.  The paper says to expect plenty of jobs in health care and other parts of the service sector, there will be a strong demand for everyone from accountants to cashiers!  There will be jobs to be found in emerging industries like alternative energy, defense and film.  I am not complaining, jobs mean people, people mean families, families mean children, children mean schools, schools mean teachers, and the knee bone's connected to the thigh bone!  I'm just wondering what the hell happened?  Is the Snyder administration responsible for this surge in positive energy that is translating into this job mecca? 

On another note, "Christian youths attack car full of Muslims."  These criminals, who were anything but Christian, killed seven people who were returning from a wedding.  The murderers will not go to heaven to be greeted by the Muslim martyrs, sorry if you think otherwise.  I remember reading about Jesus getting angry and turning tables over and screaming "GET OUT!"  But I do not recall that he ever murdered anyone.  WWJD, not a bad think to think about, and if you think he would attack a car full of Muslims, you're wrong.

Finally, and I bet you knew it was coming, I do think that people like Sarah Palin and Michele Bachman with their rhetoric and their ignorance and their desire for power, are to blame.  Stop listening to them and their ilk because with every utterance they spread fear and anger, and that's no way to lead, but it is the way to destroy.

Rosemary

I just can's help myself, I can't ignore stupidity!

There is a new governor in Wisconsin, Scott Walker, and he is threatening to take away government workers' right to form unions and bargain contracts.  Now to me that sounds more like a dictatorship than a democracy and we should all be very worried about this.  Worse is his thinking; "We can no longer live in a society where the public employees are the haves and the taxpayers who foot the bills are the have-nots... the bottom line is that we are going to look at every legal means we have to try to put that balance more on the side of the taxpayers."  Public employees are the haves?  No, Governor Walker public employees are the ones working damn hard for a small slice of the pie and you want to take away the one safety net they have, unions.  And guess what, public employees are taxpayers!  So, excuse me, but what in the hell are your spewing?  A bunch of crap I think, in the guise of sounding intelligent and as if you care about the workers of this country.  Then there is another new governor, John Kasich of Ohio, who wants to ban strikes by teachers, and says "If they want to strike, they should be fired.  They've got good jobs, they've got high pay, they get good benefits, a great retirement, what are they striking for?"  What?  They wouldn't want to strike if their great pay, good benefits, and great retirement wasn't about to be taken away!  What a moron!  How do these idiots get elected, and why or why are there so many people, who will be deeply affected by their agendas, in support of them?  I'm trying to go in a different direction with this blog, but when I read this stuff I just can't help myself!
Rosemary

This is a really "I Don't Get It."

I know I was going to go in a new direction, but this is something I need expert clarification on.  I have a 25 year old son who attends school and works.  His health care has up until now been on my policy.  I was expecting that he would continue to be on my policy until turning 26 with the new health care deal.  When I called my benefits person today I was informed that since our enrollment period begins with the new school year, and not January 1st, he falls off now and can't get back on!  While I know how lucky we have been to have been provided with health care for our son, I really don't get how the new law states that a parent's insurance provider must provide insurance for a child until he or she turns 26, but my employer is telling me that they don't have to.  I will be happy to receive responses, especially those that may help me to understand why my son can't be covered, or even better, how I make a case to get him covered!  Thanks to all who take the time to help me "get it."

Rosemary

Let the New Year Begin!

I needed to post something yesterday but not having a really deep thought I didn't  post one!  Today I do, have a deep thought that is.  How do you see 2010?  I see it as having been a year that brought some pretty good things my way, yet all that was hoped for did not come to fruition.  I am not complaining.  I am one of the lucky ones whose life did not completely fall apart, or even really feel much change.  I look back on 2010 and smile at some pretty wonderful memories, shake my head at some pretty ridiculous stuff that went on, and basically know I had a very good year.  I want another one.  I do not live an excessive lifestyle.  I try to take care of myself.  I work hard. I take care of my family.  I pray, and I hope, and I dream.  And there you have the deep thought.  I am lucky enough to believe; I mean really, really believe.  So I pray and know that my prayers will be answered.  I am not sure how they will be answered, but God is listening and will reply.  I am fortunate enough to be able to hope.  I hope that everyone I love will be safe, happy and healthy.  The ability is there for that hope to be a reality, that's lucky.  I also dream of good things.  I get lost in my dreams sometimes and know that they will not be reality, but that's okay because my life now is good enough that I can be okay with my dreams.  What I want, is for 2011 to be a year that allows growth and change to be embraced.  I pray that those I love will find whatever it is they might be searching for; love, peace, contentment, joy, companionship, or simply the ability to be comfortable in their skin and place.  I hope that those I know and care about who are suffering will find relief and healing.  I hope that those I know and love will continue to live lives of fulfillment and prosper in this new year.  I dream the dreams of mine.  May 2011 be the year that allows you to see beauty in a gray day, to hear music in the noise, to speak the truth when it is difficult, to smell the flowers that are on the path that you journey, and to touch a life that you do not know you touch, in fact, may you touch many.  God Bless and Happy New Year.
Rosemary

One Year

My blog is a year old, and like the day I started I am at a loss as to what to write about.  I don't know where I will go from here.  I will keep writing, it is good for me, however, change is needed.  We'll see.  Happy New Year to all, and to all a good night.
Rosemary