In one word, Craig Barrett reveals his education agenda
October 2, 2012
by
by David Safier "Throw." As in "throw money at education." It's a word and a phrase the anti-public education crowd love to throw around with abandon. And ex-Intel-CEO Craig Barrett, by using word and the phrase, revealed himself as clearly as if he wore a sign around his neck saying "I'm part of the conservative … Read more
TUSD candidate forum: What about standardized testing? (video)
October 2, 2012
by Pamela Powers Hannley
Standardized testing to evaluate students, teachers, and schools is a nationwide hot button issue. Educator and author Diane Ravitch— once a supporter of No Child Left Behind, testing, and charter schools– now tours the country speaking out against high-stakes testing (like the AIMS test). From her Wikipedia page…
High-stakes testing, "utopian" goals, "draconian" penalties, school closings, privatization, and charter schools didn't work, she concluded. "The best predictor of low academic performance is poverty—not bad teachers."[7]
Ravitch said that the charter school and testing reform movement was started by "right wing think tanks like the Heritage Foundation," for the purpose of destroying public education and teachers' unions.[8] … Of Education Secretary Arne Duncan's Race to the Top program, Ravitch said in a 2011 interview it "is an extension of No Child Left Behind …[,] all bad ideas." She concluded "We are destroying our education system, blowing it up by these stupid policies. And handing the schools in low-income neighborhoods over to private entrepreneurs does not, in itself, improve them. There's plenty of evidence by now that the kids in those schools do no better, and it's simply a way of avoiding their – the public responsibility to provide good education." [Emphasis added.]
How much testing is enough? How much is too much? Here the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) board candidates' opinions on standardized testing in the video after the jump. This is the sixth video from the Drinking Liberally TUSD candidate forum on September 26. To view all of the videos in this series, go to my YouTube channel.
Flake bows to public pressure and agrees to debate Carmona for more than 30 minutes
October 2, 2012
by Pamela Powers Hannley
Congressman and US Senate candidate Jeff Flake has finally agreed to go toe-to-toe and actually debate his Democratic opponent in the US Senate race Dr. Richard Carmona. Woot!
Initially, Flake had agreed to only a 30-minute "debate" in the Phoenix PBS studio, with no audience. What a coward…
Now, after much bad press (including here on Blog for Arizona), Flake has agreed to man up and participate in debates in Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma. Since so many blogs are quoted in the Carmona press release below, how about having at least one blogger asking questions on each debate panel? You'd get some interesting questions, that's for sure.
Here's the Carmona press release about Flake's change of heart.
Flake caves, will debate
Under pressure, Congressman Flake finally agrees to debates
After backing out on news organizations throughout the state, Congressman Jeff Flake's campaign has finally agreed to debate Rich Carmona for more than half an hour. Flake, a 12-year incumbent and former lobbyist, had previously declined every invitation except for one 30-minute debate. But bowing to pressure, Congressman Flake has now agreed to debates in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma.
"From the beginning of this race, Dr. Carmona said he would debate Congressman Flake whenever and wherever. Until today, Congressman Flake had been dodging any possible public appearance with Dr. Carmona with the exception of one 30-minute debate," said Carmona for Arizona Communications Director Andy Barr. "Congressman Flake's campaign must finally know it's in trouble if they are abandoning their previous strategy."
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Arizona Daily Star: Flake declines invitation for debate with Carmona in Southern Arizona
"Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Flake has turned down the Star's invitation to debate Democrat Richard Carmona. The Star proposed any of six dates in early October, with the debate to be co-sponsored by the Tohono O'odham Gaming Enterprise and held at its Desert Diamond Casino just off I-19 between Tucson and Green Valley."
Letter to the Arizona Republic
"After Jeff Flake's Republican primary victory, he proclaimed, 'I can't wait to debate the issues.' I'm not sure what he's waiting for. His wimpy behavior in ducking debate challenges from his Democratic opponent, Dr. Richard Carmona, is insulting."
Letter to the White Mountain Independent
"Why is it that Representative Jeff Flake, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, refuses to debate Dr. Richard Carmona, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate?Dr. Carmona is willing to debate on any topic for as many debates as can be arranged, but so far Representative Flake is unwilling. Why?"
Fitz Blog: Flake flaking out on us
"Flake has been invited to debate Rich Carmona more often than Mitt Romney has flip flopped."More Flake-bashing news coverage after the jump.
The real debate
October 2, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I will be happy to debate Mr.Romney when he has finished his debate with himself. – President Barack Obama Oh, zinger! Alert the media. Eugene Robinson: Which Romney will show up to the debate?: Wednesday’s presidential debate promises sharp contrasts. One candidate wants to repeal Obamacare, one candidate invented it. One opposed the … Read more
TUSD candidate forum: What about recess and PE? (video)
October 2, 2012
by Pamela Powers Hannley
OK, I know. The elimination of recess and physical education from our schools didn't get as much media attention as removal of some other programs, but in a country of fatties, they're just as important.
As obesity rates among US children and adults climb, it's only common sense to find funding and time in the school day for recess breaks and physical education.
Hear the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) candidates' opinions after the jump. This is the fifth video from the Drinking Liberally TUSD candidate forum on September 26. To view all of the videos in this series, go to my YouTube channel.
Latino Decisions Tracking Poll: Obama leads 73 – 21 percent
October 2, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
In the latest weekly Latino Decisions Tracking Poll, President Obama and Democrats have widened their lead among Latino voters:
[T]he over national polling data shows the strongest week to date for President Obama and the Democrats, with noticeable gains over last week’s poll. [Full wave 6 results here | impreMedia Voto2012 ]
Fifty-one percent of Latino voters in ten battleground states said they trust Obama and the Democrats more to make the right decisions and improve economic conditions, compared to 27% for Romney and Republicans. When combined with voters in non-battleground states, the numbers jumped to 72% and 20% respectively, a significant increase from 4 weeks ago when overall 59% said they trusted Obama and Democrats more versus 30% for Romney and Republicans to fix the economy.
“Beyond immigration, which continues to be a very important issue, Obama has now opened up a very large lead on trust to rebuild the economy among Latinos,” said Matt Barreto of Latino Decisions. “While Republicans had hoped the weak economy would provide an opening to win over Latinos, almost three-fourths of Latinos say they have more confidence in Obama to fix the economy. Romney’s infamous comments about the ’47 percent’ are clearly hurting him among Latinos. He appears out of touch with the average working class family,” added Barreto.
DSCC buys ads in Arizona for Carmona senate race
October 2, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I asked about this last week, and now I have my answer. National Journal's Hotline On Call reports DSCC Buys Ads in Ariz. Senate Race: The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has placed a $526,000 ad buy in Arizona for the week of Oct. 2 to Oct. 8, their first independent expenditure in the … Read more
Carmona campaign Spanish language ad: ‘No Para’
October 2, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Press release from the Dr. Ricahrd Carmona for U.S. Senate campaign:
“No Para” contrasts Carmona and Flake positions on DREAM Act, education
The Carmona for Arizona campaign will start running its second Spanish-language television ad Tuesday. The thirty-second spot will air statewide and contrasts Dr. Richard Carmona's support for the DREAM Act and funding for education with Congressman Flake’s opposition to the DREAM Act and desire to eliminate the Department of Education.
Carmona dropped out of high school, but found new opportunity in the Army — where he earned his GED while training to become a Special Forces soldier. Carmona got into community college through an open enrollment program for veterans and went to college and medical school on the GI Bill. Carmona is running to make sure every kid today gets that same shot at the American Dream.
The campaign is also launching a companion Spanish-language radio ad, which will air statewide.
Video below the fold.
