David Safier

The Height of Triviality

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by David Safier My Sunday posts tend toward the abstract or trivial, and today, I’m reaching new heights (lows?) of triviality. Have you ever wondered, “Am I taller than Bob Dylan? Is famously short Dudley Moore shorter than Dustin Hoffman? Did Edith Piaf make it to 5 feet? How about Henry VIII? How do Jerry … Read more

Tucson School Playgrounds to Become City Parks

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by David Safier OK, this is a good idea: turn school playgrounds into parks during after school hours and weekends. It’s not finalized, but TUSD and the city are looking at opening the gates to 12 elementary schools on a trial basis. If it works out well, the goal is to open all school playgrounds … Read more

Welcome Fellow 2020 Vision Participants

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by David Safier I want to welcome any of you who participated in Voices for Education’s 2020 Vision Community Meeting this morning to this blog. Let me tell you a few things about how the blog works, and how you can participate in the discussion. Blog for Arizona is Mike Bryan’s baby, and he has … Read more

McCain Hasn’t Examined 21st Century G.I. Bill

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by David Safier Democratic Senator Jim Webb and Republican Senator Chuck Hagel are cosponsoring a bill that would update the G.I. Bill so its educational benefits cover today’s tuition and living expenses. More than 50 Senators have signed on, Democrats and Republicans. Both Obama and Clinton are among them. But Arizona’s own war hero John … Read more

Do Schools Improve When States Take Them Over?

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by David Safier Yesterday I wrote about a bill in the legislature to have the state take over Phoenix’s Roosevelt School District for 3 years. Is it a good idea? I asked. Has it been done elsewhere? I did some research. Yes, it has been done elsewhere. Sometimes the state takes over a school district, … Read more