An article from Intellectual Takeout: https://intellectualtakeout.org/2023/01/goodharts-law-education-decay/ Everywhere in education, you see incentives at work. The incentives, though, are so far removed from the actual goals of education that they produce perverse results. Goodhart’s Law is usually stated, “When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.” Economics textbooks often use the allegory of a maker of nails, who receives word that his measure of success at producing nails will be based on the number of nails made. He retools his factory, adjusts his resource use, and produces as many nails as possible, even though many are too thin, or small, or bent … [Read more...]
Camas School District – 2024 Levy’s – Review
There are two (2) Camas Levy’s this time around. In Part 1 we address Proposition 6 which is the Operations Levy. Part 2 is Proposition 7 which is a Capital Levy. It's worth understanding how much each school district gets for new housing construction. Camas gets $6,650 school impact fees.pdf (wa.gov) The voter pamphlet Pro/Con/Rebuttals can be found at: Camas School District No. 117 - Prop No. 6 - Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy - Prop No. 7 - Replacement Capital Levy for Education Technology, Health and Safety Imp..pdf (wa.gov) Part 1 – Proposition 6 – EP&O levy In February 2024 the Camas School District returns to voters to ask for “renewals” of … [Read more...]
Do school districts inhibit “Con” positions on bonds and levies?
We bring you an "Op-Ed" by a reader who shares their thoughts on the process school districts go through to find people to write the "Pro" and "Con" positions on bonds and levy's. WA school districts are supposed to be teaching about constitutional republics and their associated checks and balances. School districts should be encouraging a lively debate on political issues including their own tax measures that are on the ballot. But are they? Almost all school districts, with measures on the Feb 2023 ballot across the state, may be failing to practice what they are supposed to be preaching and teaching. By state statute, school districts are supposed to find pro … [Read more...]
Georgia advances legislation that outlines a ‘Parents Bill of Rights’ in education
Remote learning may have been a disaster during the Covid lockdown but one thing positive that has come out is an increase in parental awareness of where schools have moved to. The focus on basic education wanes while the social emotional aspects are on the rise. Should parents have a say in what their children are taught and if so how much? Do educators know whats best for children such that parents should be told to go quietly into the night? The State of Georgia is taking some steps that may get traction in other states. Give this article a read. It comes to us from the Conservative Review and is written by Samuel Langold-Lenett. In Georgia, lawmakers advanced legislation that, … [Read more...]
Camas School District Sex Ed Curriculum – A real story
A story from a parent in the Camas school district that you may want to be aware of. When this happens in one district it may be more likely to show up in others. SKYRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL. HERE IS THEIR STORY: "The Camas district office transferred me to Skyridge middle school office without giving any information on the sex ed program. After requesting information on the sex ed program the administrator transferred me to the teacher's voicemail. The next day the teacher called to say I can come down to the office MAYBE to view the booklet that he's going to teach from...MAYBE. He did say it was made easier this year to opt kids out because school buildings are closed and usually … [Read more...]
Teachers union, others to sue state over new charter school law
From The News Tribune ..... Charter school opponents plan to sue the state over a new law that aims to keep the privately run, publicly funded schools open in Washington. The Washington Education Association announced its intention Thursday night to file a lawsuit over the state’s amended charter school law. Other groups that oppose charter schools will also be involved in the suit, the statewide teachers union said. Eight charter schools currently operate in Washington, three of which are in Tacoma. It isn’t the first time the teachers union and a coalition of other groups have challenged the state’s law allowing charter schools, which Washington voters approved in 2012. The … [Read more...]
Nevada Pays Parents to take Kids out of Public Schools
This article is re-posted from Voicesofliberty.com Nevada Will Pay Parents $5K Per Kid They Take Out of Public School by Nick Hankoff June 24, 2015—Nevada might have the worst public school system in the country, but a new policy could radically change that. The state’s treasurer will pay parents at least $5,000 for each one of their children they move from a public school (including charters) to a private one. The program is expected to be get going in January 2016. The program was part of a bill passed into law just last month. Parents will be able to take the educational funding that would’ve gone to their public school and spend it on private school, tutoring and … [Read more...]