Race to the Top funding is a hot topic in Texas Politics right now. The question asked is should we apply for the national funding or rely on our state funds to pull Texas thru the finical hard time that the education system is having? Rick Perry states that “If Washington were truly concerned about funding education with solutions that match local challenges, they would make the money available to states with no strings attached.” I have to agree with Governor Perry. Although the Race to the Top funding would provide the Texas Education system with up to $750 million in funding, it will cost our taxpayers $3 billion dollars or more to realign our education system to standardized national public education. This $750 million would be a onetime grant and our education system would be torn to pieces. We are doing what works best for Texas students, and I doubt Washington D.C. knows more than people who live here
I am sure we all know that money is needed to make the education system work properly, so it is no surprise that their are people who stand on both sides of the fence when it come to federal funding. Funding provides the schools with technology that allows us to advance our so that they can become more college and career ready starts for young Texans. The Texas State Board of Education adopted one of the nation’s first college and career- ready curriculum standards. Opening option to the career field will ensure that our students are able to be educated and ready for the real world. If we allow the our current education system to be nationally mandated than these programs may not be offered in areas that help Texans. We were recently recognized in the Education Week Magazine for these programs of college and career ready standards. In my opinion Texas is doing just fine without the control of the national government. Our students play an important role in the future of our state and should provided with the best foundation for available to them.
Parent involvement plays a crucial role in the participation and drive of students. If Texas does apply for the Race to the Top funding they will not be looking out for what is best for the children. Rick Perry reported that allowing interest groups and unelected bureaucrats will decline the opportunity for parent involvement. I am in the pursuit of becoming a teacher, and I know that I will want to incorporate as much parent interaction as possible because it is proven to increase the students drive.
There are many reason why Texas should say no the Race to the Top funding. If we think we are in finical trouble and submerged in taxes now, then just imagine what the National Government will impose on us when we have to reform our entire education system.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Comment to Shelby's Post "Some public officials just don't get it, do they?"
Shelby has brought up a great point about the Texas Open Meeting Act being violated by our government officials. This law was formed so that all citizen can be equally and fairly informed of our state and nations actions. "We the people" is the first the line of our Constitution and with Texas being a state of America we must abide by this. If we are uniformed how are we supposed to make the right decisions for the well being of our state?
As Shelby has stated in her above post, there are a times the public is not allowed to hear the discussion which are considered "private matters." These consist of the purchase of property, security measures, economic development, personal matters, and homeland security. Some of the "personal matters" seem to involve the citizen of this state directly. I do not understand why they believe we are interfering with their freedom of speech, quite frankly I see it more as they are interfering with our rights as citizens. This is a wide range of topics that are protected by the law that they can legally discuss without informing us. What else do they “need” to keep so secret?
The freedom of speech is a human right of all Americans, and cannot be taken away. I know that some government officials don't want us to hear what they have to say because they may lose followers or possibly the respect of the state or nation, but they are FREE to say whatever they want. Having to address public issues in the public eye is not a loss of freedom., it is a way to make sure that we are not being left out of the loop on important matters of our state. Officials are trying to get around the Texas Open Meeting Act by manipulating its people into believing that they aren’t discussing anything that is against written lay, but I beg to differ. If it isn’t a big deal than just talk about it in public. Shelby quoted that they all volunteered for this position and that is 100% accurate. Don't sign up for the job if you don't want to follow the rules.
Over all I think Shelby’s post was an eye-opening one. Many people disregard the manipulation of the government and put it off as no big deal, but it is a big deal. Talking behind closed doors is how corruption in formed. Bringing this to everyone’s attention is crucial in protecting OUR RIGHTS as citizens. Don’t let the government put the blindfold on your eyes. We have the right to know what is being discussed.
As Shelby has stated in her above post, there are a times the public is not allowed to hear the discussion which are considered "private matters." These consist of the purchase of property, security measures, economic development, personal matters, and homeland security. Some of the "personal matters" seem to involve the citizen of this state directly. I do not understand why they believe we are interfering with their freedom of speech, quite frankly I see it more as they are interfering with our rights as citizens. This is a wide range of topics that are protected by the law that they can legally discuss without informing us. What else do they “need” to keep so secret?
The freedom of speech is a human right of all Americans, and cannot be taken away. I know that some government officials don't want us to hear what they have to say because they may lose followers or possibly the respect of the state or nation, but they are FREE to say whatever they want. Having to address public issues in the public eye is not a loss of freedom., it is a way to make sure that we are not being left out of the loop on important matters of our state. Officials are trying to get around the Texas Open Meeting Act by manipulating its people into believing that they aren’t discussing anything that is against written lay, but I beg to differ. If it isn’t a big deal than just talk about it in public. Shelby quoted that they all volunteered for this position and that is 100% accurate. Don't sign up for the job if you don't want to follow the rules.
Over all I think Shelby’s post was an eye-opening one. Many people disregard the manipulation of the government and put it off as no big deal, but it is a big deal. Talking behind closed doors is how corruption in formed. Bringing this to everyone’s attention is crucial in protecting OUR RIGHTS as citizens. Don’t let the government put the blindfold on your eyes. We have the right to know what is being discussed.
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