G.I. Guarantee Watch: Day 1

by David Safier The Goldwater Institute has a "Guaranteed Research" policy. If the accuracy of any material fact or reference to an independent source is questioned and brought to the Institute’s attention with supporting evidence, the Institute will respond in writing. If an error exists, it will be noted on the Goldwater Institute website and … Read more

Read ’em and weep

by David Safier Legislative news from today's Star: SB1097, mandating that schools submit the names of children who are not in the country legally to the DOE, was approved by its Senate committee. Another bill says the state will not give any money to schools for students not here legally, though I'm not sure of … Read more

AEA on latest AZ ed bill

by David Safier From an Arizona Education Association alert: Today HB 2395 passed in House Government Committee.  This bill, sponsored by Rep. Laurin Hendrix, will prohibit school boards from allowing Association dues to be collected through payroll deduction.  Since the bill was last on the agenda, AEA staff and leaders stayed through the entire 7+ … Read more

Puny G.I. response to AEA’s Wright shows G.I. playing defense

by David Safier AEA's John Wright and G.I.'s Matthew Ladner debated the "Florida Educational Miracle" reforms moving their way through our legislature — piecemeal measures which don't really touch on some substantive reforms Florida made. Wright came armed with facts, and he  punched holes in some of Ladner's major assertions. Ladner isn't used to being … Read more

Studies question 3rd grade retention

by David Safier I just read that the House Education Committee has approved HB2732, which would hold 3rd graders back if their reading scores are below a set level (the bill includes a number of exceptions — some ELL students, some students with learning disabilities, etc.). So the legislative wheel is in spin. I've noted … Read more