SB 955 would improve the quality of education in CA schools, by allowing schools to retain teachers based on quality, instead of seniority.
Currently, schools must let newer teachers go first, even if they provide higher quality instruction, and produce more student success, than older teachers.
Naturally, the teachers unions will spend a whole lot of money to fight this bill.
My $1.298 - More proof that teachers unions don't give a crap about our children. It reaffirms for me why I refuse to be a union member and annually demand a refund of any dues (which they force me to pay) that would be used for political purposes. If you are a teacher, I strongly urge you to do the same and become an "agency fee payer".
May 9, 2010
March 2, 2010
Get Out of Our House!
Tired of career politicians? I heard this guy from Get Out of Our House! on Dennis Miller's radio program today.
The mission of his site is:
My $1.298 - Sign me up! Yes, I know it is an impossible feat, but I like the concept anyway.
The mission of his site is:
GOOOH stands for 'Get Out of Our House' and is pronounced like the word 'go'. It is a NON-PARTISAN plan to evict the 435 career politicians in the U.S. House of Representatives and replace them with everyday Americans just like you.
My $1.298 - Sign me up! Yes, I know it is an impossible feat, but I like the concept anyway.
February 27, 2010
This Makes Me Want To Curse
The CA assembly has passed a resolution to make the first week in March "Cuss Free Week".
Really now? Our legislature spent time and resources on this?
My $1.298 - What a waste of time and money. No wonder citizens are frustrated with the CA legislature.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Really now? Our legislature spent time and resources on this?
My $1.298 - What a waste of time and money. No wonder citizens are frustrated with the CA legislature.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
August 10, 2009
Communicating With the Dentist
After a visit to the dentist today, I had to wonder if "Interpreting Mumbling" is part of the required curriculum for a dentist?
With his fingers in my mouth, the dentist asks if everything is okay.
My response: Uh-huh.
A little while later, he asks if there is any pain.
My response: Uhn-uh.
These two phrases, uh-huh and uhn-uh, are so close to identical (especially when you are mumbling around fingers) that I often wonder how the dentist understands which one I said.
I think it would be hilarious to become a skilled ventriloquist, just for this occasion. Expecting to have to translate a mumbled answer, the dentist asks if there is any discomfort.
My response: The temperature of the room could be taken down a notch and that light is blinding me. Other than that, I'm doing just fine, Doc.
With his fingers in my mouth, the dentist asks if everything is okay.
My response: Uh-huh.
A little while later, he asks if there is any pain.
My response: Uhn-uh.
These two phrases, uh-huh and uhn-uh, are so close to identical (especially when you are mumbling around fingers) that I often wonder how the dentist understands which one I said.
I think it would be hilarious to become a skilled ventriloquist, just for this occasion. Expecting to have to translate a mumbled answer, the dentist asks if there is any discomfort.
My response: The temperature of the room could be taken down a notch and that light is blinding me. Other than that, I'm doing just fine, Doc.
June 28, 2009
Cell Phones in Schools, the New Crib Notes
One-third of teenagers say they use cell phones to boost their grades, and one-half say they use the Internet to cheat. And nearly 1 in 4 teenagers think it's not cheating!
This makes me feel more strongly that schools need to be allowed to use cell phone blockers in the classrooms. One reason I have heard they are not allowed is because parents argue that they need to be able to communicate with their children, especially during an emergency. Cell phone blockers are easily deactivated if there truly is an emergency. And, if parents want to contact their children at school, they need to go through the office (and they should NEVER be texting their children DURING class). Parents could also *gasp* leave their children messages that could be checked IN BETWEEN class periods.
It's not just about cheating. Cell phones are a major distraction in the classroom, as students feel their phones vibrate and are tempted to read and respond to text messages, all the while missing out on instruction and learning. It's like trying to teach students with a television in the corner of the room tuned into MTV.
Take the temptation away so students are not so focused on their cell phones. Sure, they may find some other reason to not pay attention, but it's one less distraction, and a major one at that.
This makes me feel more strongly that schools need to be allowed to use cell phone blockers in the classrooms. One reason I have heard they are not allowed is because parents argue that they need to be able to communicate with their children, especially during an emergency. Cell phone blockers are easily deactivated if there truly is an emergency. And, if parents want to contact their children at school, they need to go through the office (and they should NEVER be texting their children DURING class). Parents could also *gasp* leave their children messages that could be checked IN BETWEEN class periods.
It's not just about cheating. Cell phones are a major distraction in the classroom, as students feel their phones vibrate and are tempted to read and respond to text messages, all the while missing out on instruction and learning. It's like trying to teach students with a television in the corner of the room tuned into MTV.
Take the temptation away so students are not so focused on their cell phones. Sure, they may find some other reason to not pay attention, but it's one less distraction, and a major one at that.
April 21, 2009
Special Days for Yahoo!
The people at Yahoo! must consider the following recent events to be of some importance because they developed and displayed specific art for their title to celebrate:
Chinese New Year 2009
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
International Women's Day
St. Patrick's Day
Earth Hour
Easter
Earth Day
Notice anything?
Chinese New Year 2009
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
International Women's Day
St. Patrick's Day
Earth Hour
Easter
Earth Day
Notice anything?
February 1, 2009
Facebook Ads
When you go onto a site like Facebook, they always have advertisements on the screen. Below is a screen capture of two ads that ran simultaneously. I thought these ads were funny because they use (obviously) the same picture, but reflected. What do you think is going on here?
Interesting that one ad is for learning how to work in internet marketing and the other is for learning how to get money from the government (not working) to pay off debts and travel.
I get the feeling that most Facebook ads are scams, but every now and then they make me laugh.
Interesting that one ad is for learning how to work in internet marketing and the other is for learning how to get money from the government (not working) to pay off debts and travel.I get the feeling that most Facebook ads are scams, but every now and then they make me laugh.
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