Volcano update... and stimulus dollars

The wind was with us... no ash here in Anchorage.

On education funding, Palin, and Alaska.

I am of mixed emotions regarding the possibly rejected education stimulus funding.

On one had, it just seems silly to turn down free money.

On the other hand, for a few years now, I have been utterly convinced that the secret to improving our education system is curriculum reform, not more money.  I am also sort of sceptical about whether the school districts will be able to go cold turkey in two years once the money runs out.

For example, let's say the funds go to free after school tutoring for disadvantaged kids... great idea, but expensive.  In two years, once the money runs out, is Alaska just meant to turn of the spigot?

Too bad we couldn't take the money, spend it all on building brand new insulated fuel efficient schools, and set ourselves up for less spending over the next 10 - 15 years.

Strings attached, blah, blah, blah...

Mt Redoubt Eruption...

Regularly scheduled blogging will be suspended due to volcano eruption...

Unfortunately, the ash looks like it's heading for Anchorage.  Going to make things nasty here for a while.

Kid Update

Collectively my three kids in 5th and 8th grade earned 14 A's and 4 B's.

My 3rd grader doesn't get grades, only S's and O's.  She is still struggling with reading, but was recently diagnosed with ADD.  Supposedly a classic case.  She is now on a mild medication that is will supposedly help her "focus" during the day.  We will see.

Palin screws the pooch...

ADN: Palin rejects over 30% of stimulus money By SEAN COCKERHAM and ERIKA BOLSTAD

The biggest single chunk of money Palin is turning down is about $170 million for education, including money that would go for programs to help economically disadvantaged and special needs students. Anchorage School Superintendent Carol Comeau said she is "shocked and very disappointed" that Palin would reject the money.

Anchorage Democratic Rep. Les Gara suggested that Palin is pandering to voters outside Alaska to further her own political ambitions.

"I'm worried the governor is taking this sort of national political stance which is that she's going to be the opposite of Barack Obama on everything," he said. ," he said.

Got to agree here.  Always take free money.

It's silly to worry about the money being taken away in a few years... when was the last time the government got rid of spending...

She is trying to be a Sanford wannabe.

Almost forgot...

My wife is preggers again... baby #6 on the way.

Cuz we just can't get enough of the struggle...

I will confess that with 4 girls and only 1 boy, I am chucking traditional political correctness and openly advocating for a boy.  

None of that "I'll be happy no matter what" malarkey here.

I can't take anymore estrogen.

Anchorage Daily News Misguide Editorial

The Anchorage Daily News has an opinion piece advocating supporting "Pre-K" funding by the Feds and the State.

They make all the usual argument's.

Wrong as usual.

Blatantly ignoring policy

Shhhh... off the record

Un-named teacher at un-named school in un-named grade confesses that they:

- ignores a lot of Everyday Maths curriculum.

- use the "alternate" methods algorithms to demonstrate how the old ones are better

Rory out...

I'm back and I'm mad

Despite promises to the contrary, I just found out that my kids elementary school is implimenting Everyday Math in all grades next year.  They had told me that Everyday Math would be implimented only in 1st grade then progress up the grades.