why is it when republicans presented a proposal to hold teachers to
proficiency reviews, ensuring that our children were getting the most
competent educators possible, the dems went on the attack saying that
republicans were being hate mongers who were going to deprive inner city
youth of a decent education, a ridiculous accusation by the way.

just a question. hahaha!

a ridiculous accusation....

Education is in the best interest of both parties, you are refering to
politics as usual. If it is not one party it's another.

Leave the teaching to teachers, the medical care to the medical
professionals, the fires to the firemen, etc. Leave the politics to the
politicians...

Doc, the teacher's union, like all unions, have a strong foothold in the
Democratic party. The Democrats are paying homage to their financiers
just as the Republicans do. Every other occupation has a standard to
meet and teachers should as well. The reasoning isn't against the
teachers, it is for increasing our quality of education, which is
currently abhorrent, to close the gap between us and much of the world.
Unfortunately, as usual, unions don't give a damn about education as
much as they care about power.

why are the far right assholes????????????????????

That's mature, 4fun. Thanks for adding depth to the discussion.

Are you a knee jerk reactionist that assumes that anyone who disagrees
with you is a far right asshole? You have no idea where I stand. That
would be akin to me calling you a left wing liberal commie pinko tax and
spender. But I don't know you or your stance so I would simply not come
out of the gate spewing generalizations for the sake of humoring myself.
Not always.

the teachers union doesnt exist in my state. I have STRONGLY SUGGESTED
to my lil britches teachers to FORM ONE.
Armydoc i was raised up by decent hard working devoted teachers who were
DEOMCRATS. I am a democrat. Let me say i watched my parents passion for
teaching and also they were driven to see the civil rights and
disability rights passed during the 60's and after my dad passed my
mother continued until she passed in the early 90's. Little did either
my mom or myself know that one day i would have a special needs child
and my parents devotion and dedication to these causes which were so
dear to them would benefit my child. To me this is rediculous labeling
the parties and its not really about the partys being republican or
democrat. Isnt it all about the child/children and their educational
needs? Teachers are overworked, under paid to the point of being on
food stamp cards here. I have just lost 2 of the finest teachers for my
son and one has been his teacher for the last 4yrs. Why? the city
counsel spent the money from the department of education. So these 2
teachers will not be back in the fall. Why? FUNDING. To me this is the
biggest CRIME around. Taking that money was wrong. These teachers here
in my town and state have NOT seen a raise in the last 4yrs. that to me
is a slap in their faces seeing their funding going to road improvements
or downtown beeeutificashun. Either way democrat OR republican every
child deserves and is entitled to a free appropriate education. Sadly
the EDUCATOR part here is crossing over into GEORGIA for a job. I am not
looking forward to this fall when my lil one has NO special education
department or class thanks to my city counsel.

Barbie, if enough teachers made the move to Georgia, what do you think
would happen? I am not against teachers, I am against them not being
held accountable for the eduction they are providing or not providing. I
don't know about your situation and it may not fall within the norm. As
a whole, do you honestly think that our public school system is even
remotely spending the money they have gotten from bond referendum after
bond referendum after....? Our public school system in general is a
disgrace! We are constantly told that they need more money to fix the
problems but the more money we throw at that black hole of the
government, does it help our children? A school of six hundred students
can't find the money to supply equipment for extra curricular activities
or to keep a bus route running so parents can get to work and earn a
living so they can just be taxed further, but by gosh the school needs
another advisor to the vice assistant principal's public liaisson's
office assistant? Do what we do in the private sector. Work for who
pays the most and have your pay increased by performance rather than
tenure and voila! Better education will be available for our children.

A small not: We are entitled to a free education? Where did you read
that? I would like to show it to the college of my choice.

Note: e key sticks.

BRAVO Zapchaser. I totally agree. that free appropriate education is
only thru high school but of course we CAN DREAM!

65% of all funding is from the special education with the federal
government. Now this funding is NOT going where it needs to go. the
schools, the bus drivers, cafeteria workers, supplies, teachers salarys.
I am DISGUSTED since my own towns CITY COUNSEL has SPENT the FUNDING FOR
MY boys school along with all the OTHER SCHOOLS on BEEEEEEUTIFICATION of
our downtown area and road repairs. EXCUSE ME???? That money was NOT for
them to also enjoy trips to LAS VEGAS, ENDLESS dinners at red lobster,
logans steak houses for lunches, etc. Must be nice seeing those funds
simply EMBEZZLED by the city counsel and now its "LETS RAISE THE
PROPERTY TAXES!!!". YEAH? WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER. I have lodged my
complaints with the dept of education and with the state as well. I hear
ya zapchaser!!!

Nor should the money go to having umpteen assit. principals and
countless grief councilors.
Teachers Should be held to some standards but unfortunately they are
unionized therefore they don't really care about quality but longevity.

Teachers in NC are not unionized!
Are they in Tennessee barbie?

I learned the other day that in some northern states they must buy a bus
pass to ride a school bus!!!
We cover that with State taxes here.

Teachers here are unionized and the States should decide the
credentials for a teacher not the government.Washington could give two
****s about educating children anyway.Like a bunch of rich people know
anything about public school and the challenges these teachers face
especially in the inner city.
Let the union and the States work together to entice recruits straight
from college with a decent salary and retain good teachers with a decent
raise.I must say the teachers in my town are dedicated professionals.

The reason for the Democrats dislike of the Rep education initiatives is
based on the fact that local control and power over educational policies
will be over-ridden by the Rep initiatives. In other words, the policies
(including the obvious $, but, also, the self-direction which is
important) would start to centralize and become a "one-size fits all"
program. With the general governmental trend to "outsource", "privatize"
and otherwise "abandon" responsibilities to the private sector, the Dems
make a valid point: Its eventually leading to a commercial business,
which at its heart would be focused on the Govt contracts, not on the
well being of the students.

At least thats my thoughts. Personally, I think the Dems are running
scared on the issue.

In NH the bus pass thing depends on the town you live in.

by the way Barbie the Federal "no child left behind" act entitles your
son to an education.If his school has no special ed department they have
to provide him with an aide.Does he have an IEP?If not demand one
because it is your right.

Its like that here too. They really do a fantastic job with children
with disabilities.
The y realy charge to ride a school bus?
Wow, Thats amazing!!!! The State owns the buses here, maintains them the
whole nine yards. If they charged for a ticket I would raise hell. Thats
rediculous, where do your Taxes go?

we have no sales tax or income tax fanta..we only have sin taxes on
ciggarretes,hotels,gas.The state owns all the liquor stores though

The buss companies are privately owned contractors.only high school kids
have to buy a bus pass.been that way for at least 25 yrs.