Gov. Palin & The Alaska Drop-Out Rate

[Conan71]

The facts keep getting more careless and desparate in dealing with Gov. Sarah Palin.  FWIW, Governors do not run school systems, nor are they any more of a panacea to every problem than mayors, city councilors, community organizers, representatives, or senators.

How many other governors or public officials  have encouraged those considering dropping out of high school to call their office?  Just a guess, but I bet neither Obama nor Biden ever made a similar offer to potential drop-outs.  I doubt there are even many school superintendents who have made such an offer.

http://juneauempire.com/stories/111207/sta_20071112001.shtml

"Palin reaches out to possible high school drop-outs
Governor wants Alaska students to call her first
The Associated Press
ANCHORAGE - Gov. Sarah Palin is reaching out to any Alaska high school student thinking about dropping out. The governor wants those students to call her and talk about their options first.
 
Sound off on the important issues at  
The offer comes in reaction to a recent study that labeled seven Alaska high schools "dropout factories."

"I'd remind the kids that no matter where they are in life - (maybe) in circumstances that probably aren't ideal - that there is no circumstance that they're in that is insurmountable or would necessitate them just giving up," Palin said.

Among the schools given the dubious distinction were the high schools from which the governor, her son and her husband have graduated - Wasilla High and Dillingham High.

Palin's 16-year-old daughter, Bristol, is a junior at Wasilla.

Who to call
Any Alaska high school student considering dropping out can talk to their high school counselor or principal, or the governor's office in Juneau at 465-3500 or in Anchorage at (907) 269-7450.

"Every little bit is going to help," Loren Berkoski, the acting superintendent in Dillingham, said in reaction to the governor's offer.

The Johns Hopkins study was based on tracking senior classes for three years in a row - 2004, 2005 and 2006. The "dropout factory" designation went to the schools where 60 percent or less of the students who started as freshmen advanced to their senior year.

Alaska school administrators pointed out it did not take into account students who transferred to other schools during those years.

The governor is encouraging any student around the state who is thinking about quitting to call her first.

"I would also speak to them about the practical solutions out there. There is so much to be gained, of course, by staying in school. But we do have to speak to the kids about the different practical choices that we have," she said Friday. "We are very blessed in Alaska to have so many options for a student who may not be fitting into the conventional, traditional school setting. We have the voc-tech schools, the different career centers."

Of the seven high schools given the label, three are in Fairbanks: Ben Eielson, Lathrop and North Pole. The others were: Bethel Regional, Barrow, Dillingham and Wasilla."

[RecycleMichael]

I apologize for the double post...

http://www.neaalaska.org/acaf/fund/zrelease%20filelawsuitaug04.htm

Educators, school districts, parents file landmark lawsuit against the state

Charge that inadequate and inequitable school funding violates Alaska Constitution

The lawsuit filed today charges that the state's funding of kindergarten through high school (K-12) education violates the Alaska Constitution for two reasons:

1) because the state does not invest enough money in its schools to provide an adequate education for all students; and

2) because the state's funding formula treats children of differing circumstances differently.

"Adequacy and equity in school funding is THE civil rights issue of our day," said NEA-Alaska President Bill Bjork.

Over the past two decades, while Alaska has enjoyed unparalleled wealth, we have systematically reduced our investment in our schools. Inflation alone has eroded the value of each education dollar to just 52.7 cents.

Moore vs. State of Alaska is a natural extension of the Brown vs. Board of Education case that struck down segregated schools 50 years ago. The litigation is also the latest in a series of school finance lawsuits filed in states around the country over the past half century.

"The overwhelming majority of these lawsuits have been successful," said Bjork. "And I'm confident that we'll prevail in ours."

Bjork also noted that the suit is about resource development. "Alaska's greatest resource is our children, and all of us know the important connection between a well educated work force and economic prosperity. Every Alaskan has a real stake in making sure our children get the best possible education."

Kim Langton, superintendent of Kuspuk Schools and chair of Citizens for the Educational Advancement of Alaska's Children (CEAAC), puts the legal action into context in Alaska: "Moore vs. State of Alaska is the necessary and logical next step from the landmark case, Kasayulie vs. State of Alaska." That case, brought by CEAAC, successfully challenged the disparity between large and small districts in terms of funding school facilities.

The new lawsuit charges that all education funding is discriminatory—that the state is violating the Alaska Constitution by treating poor, minority and special needs children different from majority children. The state does this by arbitrarily and irrationally restricting funding for districts where children are overwhelmingly minority and economically disadvantaged.

"Here we are, 50 years after Brown struck down school segregation, and huge numbers of children in Alaska still don't have access to an equal education," noted Langton.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are: Kristine & Gregory Moore of Wasilla; Mike and Maggie Williams from Akiak; Melvin and Rosemary Otton from Koyuk; Wayne and Martha Morgan from Aniak; Yupiit School District; Bering Strait School District; NEA-Alaska; and Citizens for the Educational Advancement of Alaska's Children, or CEAAC.

Plaintiffs ask that the court order a cost analysis for providing a constitutionally adequate education, and then fund that education accordingly.

[Conan71]

No need to apologize, it makes you look doubly foolish in blaming Sarah Palin for two decades of decay in the Alaskan public schools:

"Over the past two decades, while Alaska has enjoyed unparalleled wealth, we have systematically reduced our investment in our schools. Inflation alone has eroded the value of each education dollar to just 52.7 cents."

I can play name that tune as well.  Care to talk about all the crack babies, truancy, teen pregnancy, AIDS, and the 52% graduation rate in Chicago schools (as opposed to the 62% graduation rate in Alaska?).

That HAS to be Obama's fault since he's from Chicago.

Again, can someone considering dropping out of school call Senator Obama's office to talk about it?  Not a chance.  I'd say setting up a hotline at the Governor's office shows she cares.

True irony that former Alaska Governor Tony Knowles is going to be running Mr. Kaiser's energy think-tank in Tulsa.  At least by your logic, the Governor is obviously all to blame for the educational failures of Alaska.  Just interesting since Mr. Kaiser is so big on educational initiatives.

[RecycleMichael]

Doesn't the governor of Alaska prepare the state budget for funding for Alaska schools? I think she has to prepare it and get it passed by the state legislature.

Obama is a U.S. Senator and doesn't directly fund public school education.

But yes, Obama should be embarrassed by the low quality of the education system in his home state or any state in America. And the number of crack babies, and teen pregnancy, too... We all should be embarrassed by these social problems.

Yes. you got me. I didn't care about Alaska school funding until it was brought to my attention.

It is kind of like Sarah Palin never caring about international issues. She got her first passport just last year. She never cared to learn about the rest of the world until then.

Yes...it is red herring day at TulsaNow...

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

Doesn't the governor of Alaska prepare the state budget for funding for Alaska schools? I think she has to prepare it and get it passed by the state legislature.

Obama is a U.S. Senator and doesn't directly fund public school education.

But yes, Obama should be embarrassed by the low quality of the education system in his home state or any state in America. And the number of crack babies, and teen pregnancy, too... We all should be embarrassed by these social problems.

Yes. you got me. I didn't care about Alaska school funding until it was brought to my attention.

It is kind of like Sarah Palin never caring about international issues. She got her first passport just last year. She never cared to learn about the rest of the world until then.

Yes...it is red herring day at TulsaNow...

YES, and I'm getting that Chicken Lickin' feeling, not a Fish-Sandwich feeling so I'm not snapping at the Red Herring.

Alaska is a gigantic state, about a third the size of the continental U.S.

It's like a large country. Lots to see and do, especially if you like to hunt and fish.

Did I mention that it is a Sportman's Paradise?

Other than the cost of the hunting permit, the bullets, and a short drive, FREE low-cholesteral meat for the freezer from gazillions of surplus caribou and moose.

Geese galore  

Delicious salmon as long as your arm.

Regarding Gov. Palin, there's the basic problem taking overseas vacation when you're trying to be a Hockey Mom and raising FIVE Children, and the family businesses.  

They need SIX airline tickets to fly to Europe together for a European Vacation.  And, a very long flight.

OUCH!

Then, there's the Alaska weather.

You have to cram about 9 months of outdoors activities into the 3 months of summer.  That's when the commercial fishing business is active.

Rest of the year:  Try and stay dry and warm.

It sounds like a great place to live if you like the outdoors, hunting and fishing.

My cousins the Kodiak and Grizzly Bears say all the time to come on up to America's Last Frontier:  

The last tourists were DELICIOUS. Send MORE!

[]

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

Doesn't the governor of Alaska prepare the state budget for funding for Alaska schools? I think she has to prepare it and get it passed by the state legislature.

Obama is a U.S. Senator and doesn't directly fund public school education.

But yes, Obama should be embarrassed by the low quality of the education system in his home state or any state in America. And the number of crack babies, and teen pregnancy, too... We all should be embarrassed by these social problems.

Yes. you got me. I didn't care about Alaska school funding until it was brought to my attention.

It is kind of like Sarah Palin never caring about international issues. She got her first passport just last year. She never cared to learn about the rest of the world until then.

Yes...it is red herring day at TulsaNow...

"Doesn't the governor of Alaska prepare the state budget for funding for Alaska schools? I think she has to prepare it and get it passed by the state legislature."

I don't know RM, might be the other way around.  The answer to that question is above my pay grade.

I threw some of that red herring on the smoker this morning...de-lish!!!

Here's my frustration:

How far are people who had their mind made up which way they would vote before the DNC going to go to ruin the character and the life of Gov. Palin?

There is a very careless smear campaign going on that's happening at a grass-roots level.  The blogosphere is much bigger than it was in 2004 and certainly 2000 and this seems to be where a lot of this smut is being picked up.  

Someone starts it on a personal blog, then HuffPo or Koz gets ahold of it, then CNN or MSNBC is all over it.  There is such a scramble for everyone to scoop each other that facts have become irrelevant.  If a story even sounds remotely plausible, they are running with it and issuing only tepid retractions if even that when it's proven wrong.

This is worse than the supposed "Rovian tactics".  There are so many items getting floated out by complete amateurs which have little basis in reality.  This is the First Amendment at work, but I think we are finally, 219 or so years later seeing the detriment of people abusing this right out of pure spite.  I don't advocate restricting it at all, but I certainly advocate using it responsibly.

You are a bright guy and we do see eye-to-eye on some candidates and issues.  That's why I don't understand why you get sucked into gutter politics.  Sen. Obama is a quality candidate or he wouldn't be the nominee, right?  It makes me think there are people within the ranks of the Democrat party who don't think so though if they have to tear into Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin by parsing minutae into major scandal.  I think this might turn into a major backlash this November.

[RecycleMichael]

You make good points.

I posted all about Obama way before anyone else around here. I did lots of research and frankly, was not impressed with what I saw. That is why I supported Edwards then Hillary over him.

I have been doing lots of research on Palin the same.

I post when I find out information that gives me a better understanding of what kind of leader she will be.

I don't see the difference. I am not impressed with her as everybody else seems to be. She seems very normal, doing a good job in turning Alaska around and generally being very popular.

But I have high standards for what I want in a President or a Vice-President. I don't think she is prepared and I think McCain is being told what to do. Her strengths are here image and the truth is far from it.

Yes, I have posted information from very uncredible sources. I am normally much more careful. But it is just shocking to me that we had dozens of other people running for President that we learned every detail about and we know nothing about her.

I could be totally wrong. She could be the greatest leader our country ever had, but if that were to happen soon, she would be poorly prepared.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

but if that were to happen soon, she would be poorly prepared.

She could always call Pres. Bush for advice if she got stuck on something. []

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

You make good points.

I posted all about Obama way before anyone else around here. I did lots of research and frankly, was not impressed with what I saw. That is why I supported Edwards then Hillary over him.

I have been doing lots of research on Palin the same.

I post when I find out information that gives me a better understanding of what kind of leader she will be.

I don't see the difference. I am not impressed with her as everybody else seems to be. She seems very normal, doing a good job in turning Alaska around and generally being very popular.

But I have high standards for what I want in a President or a Vice-President. I don't think she is prepared and I think McCain is being told what to do. Her strengths are here image and the truth is far from it.

Yes, I have posted information from very uncredible sources. I am normally much more careful. But it is just shocking to me that we had dozens of other people running for President that we learned every detail about and we know nothing about her.

I could be totally wrong. She could be the greatest leader our country ever had, but if that were to happen soon, she would be poorly prepared.

Sinator Joe Biden is your "High Standard" for Vice President?

Whew!

Let's go back to definitions:

High,

and,

Standards....

[RecycleMichael]

Do you have any reason for your slams about Biden?

Or is this just more of your bear nonsense?

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

Do you have any reason for your slams about Biden?

Or is this just more of your bear nonsense?

Other than being another oily, corrupt professional Democrat politician, No.

I like his hair.  Where'd they transplant the hair from, to get it to match the cue ball?

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

Do you have any reason for your slams about Biden?

Or is this just more of your bear nonsense?

Other than being another oily, corrupt professional Democrat politician, No.

I like his hair.  Where'd they transplant the hair from, to get it to match the cue ball?

Since he has nothing of substance to beef about Biden, he beefs about his hair.

Typical bear response.