Arizona media in the news

by David Safier Here are a few bits and pieces about recent handlings mishandling of the news by local and state newspapers. Brewer screwed up and appointed people to the new Rio Nuevo board who are supposed to be Tucson residents, but aren't. Here's the opening line of Rob O'Dell's article: "At least two of … Read more

Arizona Ed Network tallies voting records on education

by David Safier The Arizona Education Network (AEN) has put together a chart of all the state legislators' voting records on education. AEN found twenty-one (21) different pieces of legislation that dealt directly with public education budgets and the dollars allocated to it. AEN totaled each legislator’s votes “FOR” and “AGAINST” public education. Not surprisingly, … Read more

Melvin scrambles, tries to “clarify” his convict-ions

by David Safier Al Melvin knows he screwed up big time when he told Dave Perry at the Explorer that he liked the idea of using convict labor in Arizona public schools. I jumped on Melvin immediately, then a Star editorial jumped on him a few days later. Rightly so. It's an idiotic — worse, … Read more

Did I read this right? G.I. against 3rd grade retention?

by David Safier I can't believe I have this right. It looks like the Goldwater Institute's Daily Email says holding students back in the 3rd grade does no good, since any progress they make disappears in a few years, and it can even lead to an increased dropout rate. This review of all available scientific … Read more

Goldwater’s 1TO1 Virus spreads to R candidates

by David Safier This from Craig of Random Musings who cross-posts here: Hugh Kealer, one of the R fringe candidates (tea partier/nativist), stated clearly that 53 cents of every dollar spent on education in AZ is spent on administration. Congrats, G.I. Your lies have been taken and distorted by the even-more-extreme-than-you wing of the Republican … Read more