Arizona Democratic Party launches “Bad Plan Jan” web page
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Arizona Democratic Party today launched a new web page complete with a “countdown to government shutdown” clock, entitled “Bad Plan Jan.” Here is the press release with a link to the web page: Brewer’s budget jeopardizes Arizona’s future, Democrats stand opposedArizona Democratic Party unveils webpage highlighting Brewer’s short-sighted budget Today the … Read more
Leader of Minutemen American Defense border watch group arrested for murder and robbery in Arizona
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: You may have seen on the evening news KOLD News 13 or read about in the newspaper 3 arrested in killings of dad, girl in Arivaca the arrest of Shawna Forde, the leader of Minutemen American Defense (a group out of Washington state that conducts operations along the U.S.-Mexican border in Arizona) … Read more
National study: Charter schools a mixed bag
by David SafierStanford University just put out a nationwide study of charter schools. The overall conclusion is that students in charter schools do slightly worse than the same students would do in traditional public schools. But the results are so mixed that the conclusion doesn't mean much. Individual findings in the study are far more … Read more
Standards. Standardized. The same for everyone?
by David SafierI think Ed Sec Arne Duncan really, truly wants to improve education in this country, and I don't think he has a political agenda. He doesn't want to make education more liberal or more conservative. He wants to make it better. That doesn't mean he'll do a good job, but it does mean … Read more
Grad students to improve math teaching?
by David SafierI like the idea of trying to boost the level of conceptual math understanding in K-12 schools. I would love to see the program they're creating here, linking UA grad students with working math teachers, help students become better at math. But math whiz grad students who have never taught helping teachers be … Read more
Not a rhetorical question
by David SafierThis morning's Star has an article, Medical tourism keeps growing, about people going to other countries to get medical treatment. The main example is of someone who got a hip replacement for $20,000 in New Zealand — in Aukland, at a private hospital. The cost included travel and lodging. According to the article, … Read more
Some religious groups not happy with “Students’ Religious Liberties” bill
by David SafierAccording to an article in Jewish News of Greater Phoenix (and reprinted in Tucson's Arizona Jewish Post), some Jewish leaders are concerned about HB2357, which is supposed to protect students' freedom of religious expression in schools. Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Bill Straus said that the ADL is primarily concerned about the clause that … Read more
