Tearing Down International Education Myths
Dr. William Moloney, former Colorado education commissioner and author of the Centennial Institute’s new issue brief “Much Better Schools on Much Lower Budgets,” demolishes most of the chief myths used to excuse the United States’ underwhelming performance on international student testing comparisons. He argues that American K-12 learning productivity has plenty of room for improvement.
A Good Value?: National Education Association Spends $13 Million on Assorted Advocacy Groups
Member of a local teachers union in Colorado? Then most likely (unless you belong to the AFT) $166 of your dues this year is going straight to National Education Association headquarters in Washington, D.C. What is some of your money used for — when not funding negative political ads during election season, that is?
As he […]
Colorado Voucher Bogeyman Story Makes Me Laugh… and Ask Serious Questions
Update: Thanks to quick help from staff at the Colorado Dept. of Education, I can tell you that Colorado public school agencies spent $7.9 million in 2008-09, and at least $6.9 million in 2009-10, on “tuition paid to private schools or non-approved agencies.” Now to figure out if that changes the nuance of CEA’s opposition […]
Colorado Medicaid: replace matching funds with block grants
Replacing open-ended federal matching funds for state Medicaid spending would encourage fiscal restraint & reduce waste. Federal funding should be phased out, as money comes from states anyway. Keep the money in state.
More on China’s High-Speed Rail
An American blogger in China makes some interesting points about China’s rail system. The country’s existing rail network is currently being used to capacity by freight (mainly coal) and conventional passenger trains. In fact, the number of passenger trains has pushed a lot of coal traffic onto trucks and highways. The high-speed rail network was […]
Online Schools and Otherwise, More Colorado Families Using Open Enrollment
This morning Education News Colorado has published an important story by Nancy Mitchell on the growing number of families opting to enroll students in public education programs outside their district of residence. As the story points out, the trend is accelerated by students selecting public online programs operated or chartered by another district. Online enrollment grew 14 percent from last year, more than 10 times the state’s total public school enrollment increase. Will school district boundaries even exist in the not-too-distant future?
Madison being misread (on an amendments convention)
Sometimes even friends of the Constitution misinterpret the document or the history surrounding it. Throughout the country right now, state lawmakers are advancing constitutional amendments to restrain federal power and federal spending. Because they know that Congress will never propose amendments to restrain itself (2/3 of both the Senate and House would have to approve […]
Colorado Medicaid reform: federal matching funds promote waste
When Medicaid & the Child’s Health Plan spend $1 from a Colorado taxpayer, the federal government gives them $1 taken from a taxpayer in another state. Program administrators are rewarded for spending more and punished for spending less. Replacing matching funds with block grants would remedy this.
Falcon Schools Move Toward Innovative Reform
On January 13, the Falcon School District 49 board voted to take the first major step in an innovative reform plan that would bring greater autonomy to school principals as “innovation leaders,” downsize the central office, and let funds follow students to the school of their choice. Board vice president Chris Wright explains how the process is expected to unfold, as well as the potential academic and cost-saving benefits of pursuing the innovation zone proposal.
Dear Wichita: Look to Colorado for Financial Transparency Examples
Today is one of those terrific days when I’ve discovered a great new education blog. I’m talking about Education Debate at Online Schools, authored by the mysterious Matthew. He got my attention by linking to a post I wrote and calling me “the sharpest 5 year old in the entire education debate.” Let me tell […]
Colorado House Bill 1025: repeal hospital provider fee
Colorado Springs Representative Jakek Joshi has introduced House Bill 11-1025, which would repeal the hospital provider tax created by HB 1293.
Portlandia Is Here
Although it will not premiere on television until January 21, the first episode of Portlandia is on line. Hulu says something about it expiring in three days, but if the video below doesn’t work, you might be able to watch it here or here. Richard Florida claims that, by attracting the “creative class,” cities like […]
