Sorry for the long absence. I thought I was finished with law school applications, but have decided to apply to a few more programs. Needless to say, writing essays is taking ALL my free time after school.
Until I can type more, here's a brief update on some things:
-I was notified several weeks ago by my principal that I will be receiving a $1,000 grant from the district. I applied for the grant for a Social Studies project I have written for the sixth grade. I'm really excited about the project - especially since it now has the funding to happen! Basically, we'll be surveying the student body, compiling our data, and hanging a flag in the cafeteria for each country represented at Miller. I'm hoping to convince former Secretary of State James Baker to come speak at the unveiling of our new re-dedicated cafeteria (I mean, we go to the same Houston church - that's gotta mean something, right?). I'll keep you posted.
-I'm applying for a Masters of Public Policy program in addition to law school. If I make it into a certain unmentioned law school up North, I'll hopefully be able to work towards both a JD and MPP in four years.
-Hillary Clinton comes to Houston this Thursday and I won't get to see her. A TFA friend has told me that her principal told their staff that Hillary will be touring their school Wednesday. This is the same school that was reported in the NYTimes earlier this year as threatened with being closed down by the school board if they didn't meet AYP (Bush's federal education requirements... Adequate Yearly Progress). I think Hillary will be touring my friend's classroom. Ah! Why not me?!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Who's Your Candidate?
A friend sent me a link to a great website concerning presidential politics. You assign a point value to several hot-button platform issues and take a brief quiz on current issues. Then, the website tells you which candidates most closely share your political beliefs.
It's pretty cool - check it out!
www.glassbooth.org
Dennis Kucinich came out on top for me... pretty surprising considering the fact that I find his candidacy to be ridiculous. Hmm... what does that say about me?
It's pretty cool - check it out!
www.glassbooth.org
Dennis Kucinich came out on top for me... pretty surprising considering the fact that I find his candidacy to be ridiculous. Hmm... what does that say about me?
Teacher Tenure Makes No Sense
There; I said it.
For some reason, America (the land whose education record is not so hot on the international stage) has decided that teachers deserve a break after working for a specified amount of time. This break being a relaxed set of performance standards.
How in the world does it make sense to provide schoolteachers with tenure? In any other line of work, professionals are routinely held accountable for their performance, especially workers who have been on the job for decades. I think the same standard should exist for schoolteachers.
The sad truth is, as far as public education goes, tenure has created a system that shields poor-performing schoolteachers from accountability. The process of firing an under-performing schoolteacher with tenure is massively bureaucratic.
I was glad to see today, however, that NYC is doing something about it. Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Klein have hired a set of specialized lawyers (I know, it sounds like the beginning of a quintessential nightmare) to aid principals in removing these tenured schoolteachers who have until now been kept in place by overly bureaucratic policies and powerful teacher unions.
I think this is a very important step in reforming America's system of public education.
The link to the NYTimes article can be found below.
For some reason, America (the land whose education record is not so hot on the international stage) has decided that teachers deserve a break after working for a specified amount of time. This break being a relaxed set of performance standards.
How in the world does it make sense to provide schoolteachers with tenure? In any other line of work, professionals are routinely held accountable for their performance, especially workers who have been on the job for decades. I think the same standard should exist for schoolteachers.
The sad truth is, as far as public education goes, tenure has created a system that shields poor-performing schoolteachers from accountability. The process of firing an under-performing schoolteacher with tenure is massively bureaucratic.
I was glad to see today, however, that NYC is doing something about it. Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Klein have hired a set of specialized lawyers (I know, it sounds like the beginning of a quintessential nightmare) to aid principals in removing these tenured schoolteachers who have until now been kept in place by overly bureaucratic policies and powerful teacher unions.
I think this is a very important step in reforming America's system of public education.
The link to the NYTimes article can be found below.
Education
A New Effort to Remove Bad Teachers
By ELISSA GOOTMAN
Published: November 15, 2007
The Bloomberg administration is beginning a drive to remove unsatisfactory teachers and is hiring lawyers and consultants for the effort.
Monday, November 12, 2007
GA/Auburn
This past weekend, I went home for the GA/Auburn game. It was definitely the best game I've ever personally seen and/or watched on TV. There was more electricity in the air than I've experienced in my life.
The Georgia Blackout was in total effect. Perhaps my favorite part of the game happened at the end though.
Here's the video...
The Georgia Blackout was in total effect. Perhaps my favorite part of the game happened at the end though.
Here's the video...
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