Drug Testing Educators, The Time Has Come



heatingoil.com

Those in the market for a new job have had to notice that many of the positions being advertised by employers require pre-employment drug testing.  It is becoming more of the norm these days than not.  Many store clerks, customer service agents, restaurant servers, hotel housekeepers and others are being asked to submit to a pre-employment drug test.  The one profession that doesn't seem to be active in drug testing is education.  Very few school districts across the nation have drug testing in place for their teachers.  Why is that? 

The growth of the drug-free workplace has increased significantly over the last five years in all fields.  Drug testing has been commonplace with some jobs and government mandated for others.  Although politicians argue all the time about governmental regulation, most would agree that professions such as airline pilots, train conductors and others charged with the health and safety of the public should be drug-free.  Why is it that the teaching professionals charged with our nation's greatest resource are free from the obligation of drug testing. 

Most school districts require drug testing for their transportation staff.  Why not their teaching staff?  Teachers are with our school children every day and are charged not only with their educational growth but also their personal safety.  Why are they excluded from drug testing?  One would think if society sees fit that housekeepers, wait staff and customer service representatives are tested, why would teachers educating our youth be excluded?

There are instances across the nation where teacher unions have resisted such a push for mandatory drug testing of professional teachers.  Just like the professional sports leagues, drug testing was resisted until the owners and fans made it impossible for it not be in place.   There also seems to be a natural bias that teachers have a greater level of education and as a result, have fewer drug abusers within their ranks.

School districts must make drug testing for their teachers a mandatory requirement in the pre-employment process.  Most schools proclaim their facilities and school grounds to be drug-free zones.  What's good and proper for the student population should be in practice for the faculty.  Most employers with drug testing programs also require random testing throughout an employee's employment.  This should be in place for teachers as well. 

I suspect the prevailing attitude among school boards and community leaders is that there is not a significant drug problem among their teaching staffs.  I would concur with that belief.  However, having a policy and program in place would provide a significant safeguard. 

The time has come for mandatory drug testing for all our professional educators.  We owe to our children.     

Politicizing Student Loans With Deadline Looming...What's New?

gocollege.com

Did anyone really think that this Congress and this Administration could leave politics out of the Student Loan extension?  Wishful thinking if you did.  Congress phased in the lower loan rate of 3.4% in 2007 for undergraduates.  This lower rate is in jeopardy of reverting back to the 6.8% rate beginning in July.  Failure of Congress and the Administration acting in unison will add an estimated $1,000 in increased loan debt for each student. 

Obviously, both parties in this fight do not want to see the loan rate go back up.  Neither want to be blamed by students or their parents for an increased debt obligation.  However, both parties choose to bicker about how to pay for the reduced student loan rate.  The lower rate is estimated to cost $6 billion. 

Republicans immediately try to find a way to carve away at provisions of the Affordable Healthcare Act finding savings there.  A non-starter for the Democrats.  Democrats want to eliminate specific tax benefits for small business owners to pay for the lower student loan rate.  A non-starter for the Republicans.  Both parties blame each other and of course, the politics of Washington take over.

edudemic.com

Posturing on any political issue is par for the course.  The President has made a point to include the student loan issue on the campaign trail effectively casting the net of blame on the Republican Party.  Republican Congressional leaders say the matter could be resolved if the President didn't want to use it as a campaign issue driving up support among young voters.

Like most of the issues before Congress, paying for them is the dilemma.  The Republicans always want to cut programs, benefits and services that are near and dear to the Democratic Party.  The Democrats always want to place a larger burden on the wealthier taxpayer or business concern unacceptable to the Republican Party.  These more difficult economic times only enhance these entrenched positions that both parties adhere to. 

Every issue of our time involves the political posturing, the rhetoric of blame and the unwillingness to find a negotiated compromise.  All the while the American people wait and wonder what will happen for them.  This Congress will undoubtedly be long remembered as the Congress that accomplished very little other than expanding the polarization between the two parties and the American people.

No worries though.  The Student Loan crisis will be averted at the 11th hour just like so many other decisions this group of legislators have provided.  One of these days the old axiom of throwing the bums out will come to fruition and maybe, just maybe then, we will have a legislative body that actually listens to the concerns of the American people.       

    

¿Por qué no enseñar español en la Escuela Primaria?



csmonitor.com

If you are like me and challenged by foreign languages, you have no idea what the subject of this story is about.  Reflecting on that, it really is a shame.  When I was in high school, I had two years of Spanish and one year of Latin.  Enrolled for one more year of Spanish in college.  The sum total of those three  years of learning is a handful of words that I know and hardly ever use.  It is indeed a shame.

As I think about it today, I am ashamed that I did not take those three years of learning more seriously and become somewhat fluent in Spanish.  It would be helpful to me today in my work but unfortunately, I chose not to put forth much effort when I was a younger man.  I work with nearly thirty people who speak Spanish and our communication with each other is less than great. 

Most Americans believe that it is the responsibility of the non-English speaking individual to learn English if they choose to work and live in the United States.  For the most part, I agree with that principle.  It seems to me that one would want to learn the prevalent language of the country in which they live and work.  I also support English as the primary language of the United States and believe all communications emanating from the government and other public institutions should be delivered in English. 

At the same time, it is increasingly true that our nation has a growing population of Hispanics.  Most statistics point to 50.5 million Hispanics living in the United States as of July, 2010.   This accounts for 16.3% of the population of the United States.  The same studies point to a total population of Hispanics of 132.8 million by 2050 or 30% of the population. 

Thus the question of the subject line, "Why Not Teach Spanish In Elementary School?"  The children of Hispanics attending elementary school in the United States are all learning English.  This is certainly appropriate and of great value to the Hispanic community as these children will be bi-lingual and in a good position to secure better jobs when they reach work-age. 

Teaching Spanish to our English speaking school children only makes sense, especially since 30% of the population will also be speaking Spanish.  Teaching any foreign language in the elementary grades makes great sense as languages are much easier to learn early on rather than later in the educational experience.  Sure, English will always be the prevalent language in our nation but why not provide the same competitive advantage to our English-speaking young people too. 

America continually stands by and watches our competitive advantage disappear in the educational arena.  Our scores and educational achievement lags behind many nations of the world.  Children in countries across the globe are not only learning their own native language but also English.  Why should be neglect this same opportunity for our young people. 

No debemos dejar que orgullo estar en el camino.  (We should not let pride get in the way.)  Let's educate our  young people and give them the same opportunities to compete and excel in later life.  I sure am sorry I didn't learn to Habla español.

Obama's Indoctrination 101, According To Santorum



politico.com

Presidential campaigns have always astonished me with the facts, figures, statistics and numbers that are tossed around by candidates.  One never is quite sure which statistics, numbers, facts and figures are accurate.  Organizations that fact-check such information generally rule that most of these numbers, statistics and facts are misleading, filled with half-truths and less than accurate.  The American people have become accustomed to hearing this information every four years and generally believe the numbers that their candidate put forth as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  In addition to using numbers to share a story, candidates have a great propensity for inventing perceptions of their opponents views and plans.    

This past week saw this very approach by Rick Santorum, Republican Presidential candidate, as he put forth the reason for President Obama wanting more young people to attend college.  He claims Obama wants more young people to go to college so that they can undergo indoctrination to a secular world view.  His actual words, "I understand why Barack Obama wants to send every kid to college, because of their indoctrination mills, absolutely...The indoctrination that is going on at the university level is a harm to our country."

Throughout an hour long interview with radio host, Glenn Beck, Santorum proclaimed many of his social views which have been well-documented over the last week.  His view of education, specifically his perception of what he calls Obama's secular world view is just too fascinating.  Santorum claims that over 60% of young people who attend college with a faith commitment leave college without it.  What Santorum claims is that President Obama wants kids to attend college so that they leave behind their Christian faith.

No mention of the President wanting more young people to gain an education and be prepared for a professional life.  No mention of  achievement.  No mention of  a degree.  No, President Obama wants our young people to lose their Christian faith by attending our universities.  Who really can believe such nonsense?  Does Santorum really believe such poppycock?   It is difficult for me to consider his candidacy for the Presidency when he shares such dribble. 

Santorum and his wife, Karen, are solid believers in home-schooling.  He commented to Beck, "The federal government needs to get out of education.  The state government by and large needs to get out of education, other than making sure there are sufficient resources, particularly in poorer neighborhoods, to be able to help some sort of equality of education in America..to have the resources to have the best customized education."

Does he really believe that all of our children across this great nation of ours would have an equal opportunity in education to grow, to learn and to excel without some level of governmental direction and regulation?  Does he really believe that colleges and universities have as one of their primary missions the devaluing of Christianity?   He is free as we all our to choose to home-school our children.  Given all of his recent social stances, home schooling in the Santorum home would not be the education I would choose for my child.          

Dropout Factories Targeted In Obama's 2013 Education Budget

educated nation.com

President Barack Obama  has put forth the challenge to all Americans, "Let us all make turning around our schools our collective responsibility as Americans."  An ambitious goal considering the budget cuts, spending restraints and debt facing our federal and state governments.   It is clear however, that the only way our nation will ever overcome the dependence on some of our entitlement programs and effectively compete with other nations, is to invest, invest and invest in education.  Obama's 2013 budget does just that.    

President Obama has targeted approximately 1,600 high schools that account for nearly 50% of our nation's high school dropouts.  Keeping kids in school is a high priority within Obama's 2013 budget and a major cornerstone of the Blueprint for Reform of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  (ESEA)

"These dropout factories" as the President has referred to them, account for about 10% of all high schools across the United States.  Two-thirds of all minority dropout students attend these dropout factories.  Unless you reside in one of these communities, you can only imagine the devastating consequences for these communities including eroding home values, unemployment, crime and hopelessness. 

Two of the programs contained in ESEA include the GEAR UP and TRIO programs.  GEAR UP serves middle school students providing awareness activities designed to keep students on the path toward higher education.  TRIO which includes the Upward Bound and Talent Search programs, focuses on high school students , specifically lower-income and students from families with no college background not only the access but pathways toward success in higher education.

Additionally, funds are designated for turnaround grants to help poor-performing schools to implement activities and opportunities that will result in dramatic improvement in student performance.  The College Pathways and Accelerated Learning program will focus on accelerated college-level courses for both middle and high school students from low-income families.  This program is designed to take those students who are perceived to be low achievers and candidates for dropping out but who are in fact not challenged by the existing curriculum.      

Promise Neighborhoods, College and Career Ready Students, Investing In Innovations are all programs designed to aggressively combat dropout rates by providing services, opportunities and investments to build achievement, performance and ultimate grow graduation levels.  Changing outcomes is the priority with each of these programs. 

As a nation, we must make education of our young people are number one priority.  Failure to do so will only result in more youth dropping out of school and our nation falling behind other nations of the world.    These dreadful statistics of our dropout factories should alarm each and every American citizen.  As President Obama said, "It is time for all of us, no matter what our backgrounds, to come together and solve this epidemic".    

Obama's Message - Teachers Matter - Students Matter

President Obama has been slowing but surely communicating his education plans since the State of the Union address where he spent a significant amount of time addressing our nation's educational challenges.  His comments included, "Teachers matter.  So instead of bashing them, or defending the status quo; let's offer schools a deal.  Give them the resources to keep good teachers on the job, and reward the best ones.  In return, grant schools flexibility.  To teach with creativity and passion; to stop teaching to the test; and to replace teachers who just aren't helping kids learn."

Stop bashing teachers.  It is true that teachers have continually come under attack from politicians and parents.  The teacher has been the fall guy for years.  Politicians play the education card all the time in hopes of speaking to what middle-class parents are most concerned about, their children's education.  Parents find fault all the time with individual teachers gaining most of their information through anecdotes from their children and other parents.  Not usually a great source of evaluation.  Obama spoke of creating a competitive environment that incentivizes teacher effectiveness.

We know that such incentives work and have propelled some schools to much better results.  Obama's keeping kids in school until they graduate or reach the age of 18 is a noble goal for sure.  Realistically, it is difficult to achieve for a whole host of reasons.  The Education Department reports that "we're losing a million students from our schools to our streets each year."  Certainly a disheartening statistic and one that should be countered with programs designed to encourage kids to stay until graduation. 

Obama's example of business and education partnering together to educate, train and employ was a great story.  Unlike teaching to the test, this business-education partnership results in well-trained employees ready to step into jobs.  This model should be employed in every technical school in America with incentives for employers to participate and benefit from it. 

Finally, the President made it clear that he wanted to extend tuition tax credits to American families.  He noted the high cost of undergraduate education stating, "So let me put colleges and universities on notice:  If you can't stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down."  This challenge has not gone unnoticed in academia as I have received two separate communiqués from the universities I attended regarding what they are doing to keep costs down and in line.

Education is clearly on the President's agenda.  The question becomes one of funding and priorities.  Like every election year, 2012 should bring the education of our children to the forefront.          

 

School Starts This Week - For Me

Throughout my adult life, I have been a vocal proponent of education.   As most parents do, I have shared with my children the importance and value of education.  Fortunately, all have chosen to continue their education beyond their high school years.    Throughout my career, I have always been supportive of those choosing to continue their educational pursuits.  Never once have I told someone to keep working when they had the desire for more learning.  However, when it has come to my own continuing education, I have rejected the idea out of hand.  Yes, I have my college degree but I have resisted time and again any idea of going back and spending any time in a classroom. 

That will all change this next week when I begin a series of classes at one of our local technical schools.  Long overdue but never too late.     At fifty-nine years of age, I have decided to embrace rather than reject our technological age.  I have been computer literate for quite some time.  However, if you compared it to how we grade out our youngster's reading levels, I would probably only grade out as computing on a third-grade level.  My knowledge has been specific to the work I do rather than in more general terms where it may be applied to any number of fields. 

It's only a continuing education program that I have enrolled in.  A big step for me though.  I am somewhat anxious about it all.  My son has repeatedly told me that I will not be the oldest in the class nor the only one looking to grow their understanding of the technological age.  His reassurance helps but there's still part of me filled with anxiety.  I really can't remember starting elementary school.  I truly have no recollections of those early years and the fears that I must have felt in starting school.  I do remember the anxiety of starting high school and even more when I went away to college.

Obviously, I survived those opportunities as I surely will this one.  There is a difference though.  This time, I am doing it because I want to.  Not because I have to or because it is the expectation.  I'm going back to further my education and develop a better understanding of today's possibilities and realities.  It's exciting and my anxiety is different as I put these words to it.  By embracing this new knowledge, I am taking a step forward with my life and choosing not to allow life to move on without me.  That's a big deal. 

I have many friends who like me choose to opt out of learning these new technologies.  They too only learn what is absolutely necessary to perform their jobs.  No more for me.  I have made the choice to understand what will make me competitive in the years ahead.  Approaching 60 years of age, I don't want to give away my maturity and experience in the workplace because of my inexperience and lack of knowledge of how to perform fairly commonplace functions on the computer. 

Over the course of the next year, I will be taking one class after another building my skills, knowledge and understanding of what will make me competitive in the workplace.  I suspect like many of the skills and learning I have experienced in the past, some of the information and education I will learn will go unused.  However, it's the whole piece that makes it valuable.  Looking back on my college education, it was the whole experience that prepared me for life and the workplace. 

I'm excited and ready to learn.  It feels good to take my own advice for a change.  I'm going back to school.  How cool is that.  Hope to see you there.