Larry Powell, Giving Back to California

School Superintendent Gives Up $800k in Pay

I smiled when I read the title. I’m even happier that it’s happening in California. The money that they would save could go to the classrooms. As I read further, though, something bugged me:

He technically retired, then agreed to be hired back to work for $31,000 a year — $10,000 less than a first-year teacher — and with no benefits.

It’s really cool that Larry Powell decided to come back, but he’s retired from the state. He has benefits already. It’s strange that he can be rehired after he retired. I’ve heard of this happening in CA. State employees retire and can get rehired as consultants. They’re working the system because it can be worked. CA has many problems, and this is just one of them.

But, I’m not going to rag on this. It is a great thing because for the next 3 years, the county will save a lot of money. Before he retired, he earned $288K plus benefits. The new hire probably would not have made as much, but the median is around $150K.

Overall, this is a gift to Fresno county. He’s setting a great example and is actually “walking the walk.” Kudos to Powell. Thanks for giving back.

How Ignorant Are Americans? – Newsweek (via Lost in the 21st Century)

Thanks to Lost in the 21st Century for this disturbing little article.

I tried to take the test, but commenters answers were in plain view, so that didn’t make sense. Anyway, I took a 50 question practice test on United States of America Citizenship Test. I feel kinda full of myself that I’m not one of those ignorant Americans. Haha.

This helps explain how the GOP keeps winning elections in spite of their screw ups…. I am very much aware of this difference when I travel internationally.  Americans seem to be proud of their ignorance, but knowledge and sophistication still matter in other places… They’re the sort of scores that drive high-school history teachers to drink. When NEWSWEEK recently asked 1,000 U.S. citizens to take America’s official citizenship test, 29 perce … Read More

via Lost in the 21st Century

DavidSoComedy: UCLA Girl Antivenom

This was an absolutely hilarious response to the UCLA Girl’s YouTube rant on Asians in the Library. The language is kinda salty which makes this video SWEET! Haha enjoy. 🙂

Vodpod videos no longer available.

DavidSoComedy, posted with vodpod

The Daily Show: Diane Ravitch on Education

Diane Ravitch : Research Professor of Education at NYU and former United States Assistant Secretary of Education

Awesome interview. She points out the failure that is No Child Left Behind and the correlation between poverty and low performance.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Diane Ravitch – The Daily Show with Jon Stewart…, posted with vodpod

The Daily Show: Crisis in Dairyland: For Richer or Poorer (Teachers and Wall Street)

Thank you for “getting it” and expressing it in such a way that makes people laugh…then think. 🙂

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Crisis in the Dairyland – For Richer and Poorer…, posted with vodpod

There is a Scholarship for Everyone

Even white males. Shut up, really?

Really.

The Whites-Only Scholarship

The qualifications to be in the running for a Former Majority Association for Equality scholarship are as follows:

1. At least 25% Caucasian male
2. At least a 3.0 GPA
3. Financial need
4. Community service

I have no problem with it. Why? It’s their money. They can choose the recipients. Helping someone pay for their education, whoever they are, is wonderful! Plus, I remember hearing about some pretty interesting scholarships out there:

• Chick and Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest

If you can make Daffy and Donald come, $1500!

• National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance

If you’re a member and large and lovely or husky and handsome, $1000!

• Tall Clubs International Scholarship

If you’re over 6’2″, $1000!

• Scholarship for Redheads

If you’re a natural ginger, and have a GPA over 2.0, $250!

And there are so many more. If these groups/people choose to pay for someone’s education, more power. I’m even all for the KKK offering scholarships. Education cures ignorance.

Walking Out on Walker

State Democrats Absent for Vote as Wisconsin Budget Protests Swell

Right on! Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller said, “We will return and do our job, but the governor has to do his job.” He noted their return is contingent on changes to the controversial legislation which is supported by Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

I read this piece of crap legislation. 144 pages. Deep into the legalese abyss, page 82 is what really screws the teachers and other municipal employees.

SECTION 223. 111.70 (4) (mb) of the statutes is created to read:
111.70 (4) (mb) Prohibited subjects of bargaining; general municipal employees.

The municipal employer is prohibited from bargaining collectively with a collective bargaining unit containing a general municipal employee with respect to any of the following:

1. ANY factor or condition of employment except wages, which includes only total BASE WAGES and EXCLUDES any OTHER COMPENSATION, which includes, but is NOT limited to, overtime, premium pay, merit pay, performance pay, supplemental compensation, pay schedules, and automatic pay progressions.

They can’t bargain for better working conditions or hours. They can’t bargain for changes to annual pay raises.

Oh all of this doesn’t apply to police, firefighters, or the state patrol. They get to hang on to their rights to bargain. Selective screwing.

Walker called the walkout a “stunt.” Nope. When you punch the constituents of state legislators in the gut, you really shouldn’t be surprised when they stick up for them.

Against a THUG.