by David Safier Apparently, writing a bill is easier than writing an email reply. If someone complains about something, write a bill to address the complaint. Problem solved. According to Lori Klein, anyway. Klein said complaints led her to write her "partisan doctrine" bill. Sen. Lori Klein, R-Anthem, told Capitol Media Services that she has … Read more
by David Safier Santorum has said he wants to get rid of federal funding of public education. And state funding. "Get rid of all the federal money that goes to primary and secondary education. . . . Not just get the federal government out, but let's get the state government out, and let's get it … Read more
by David Safier
A big hat tip to Debbie Reese who writes on the American Indians in Children's Literature blog out of New Mexico and has been a contributor to the discussion about the MAS controversy.
Reese pointed me to the first signs of the "No Partisan Instruction" bill Lori Klein is sponsoring. Its first mention, so far as I know, was in the January, 2012, newsletter from TU4SD (Tucsonans United for Sound Districts) run by Lori Hunnicutt, a serious hater of MAS.
"TU4SD has proposed the following piece of legislation. It is modeled on ARS 15-535 (Sectarian instruction prohibited)"
This is 15-535 in its entirety:
15-535. Sectarian instruction prohibited
A teacher who uses sectarian or denominational books or teaches any sectarian doctrine or conducts any religious exercises in school is guilty of unprofessional conduct and his certificate shall be revoked.
The first line of the TU4SD version is almost identical:
"A teacher who uses partisan books and/or partisan materials or teaches any partisan doctrine or conducts any partisan exercises in school is guilty of unprofessional conduct and his certificate shall be revoked."
Interesting. ARS 15-535 is a "separation of church and state" measure. Are Hunnicutt and Klein suggesting separation of partisanship and state?
You can read the page from the TU4SD newsletter below the fold.
by David Safier I just saw this Republic story: Political committee for education registers with Secretary of State A group of parents and education advocates eying continued funding for schools has registered as a political committee with the Arizona secretary of state. The committee calls itself Quality Education and Jobs but has yet to submit … Read more
by David Safier Here are a few quick stories about for profit Education Management Organizations (EMOs) bleeding charter schools dry for personal gain. According to Phoenix Business Journal, a new online charter is coming to Arizona: Life Skills Online. Life Skills runs 25 charters in 4 states. It is part of the Ohio-based for profit … Read more