Comments on: Prop. 74: Education Reform

By: California Conservative » The California Primary: Election Coverage

California Conservative » The California Primary: Election Coverage — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 21:27:06 +0000

[...] If we can’t improve the quality of our classrooms by requiring higher standards and measuring performance from teachers, throwing more taxpayers’ money at the problem isn’t going to fix things. It only perpetuates it until the next demand. [...]

By: California Conservative » Three Steps To Improve California Schools

California Conservative » Three Steps To Improve California Schools — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 20:01:05 +0000

[...] As memory serves, Gov. Schwarzenegger tried to tackle some of these important issues during last year’s special election. He pushed for reforms. Unfortunately, the unions and other special interests beat him out at the polls*, by pouring big money into a campaign of disinformation which misled the voters. Rhetoric prevailed over reality. [...]

By: California Conservative » Big Bucks for Administrators at University of California

Mon, 14 Nov 2005 04:56:42 +0000

[...] The bulk of the last year’s extra compensation, roughly $599 million, went to more than 8,500 employees who each got at least $20,000 over their regular salaries. And that doesn’t include an impressive array of other perks for selected top administrators, ranging from free housing to concert tickets. Let’s not even talk about teacher tenure. [...]

By: Well said

Well said — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 22:03:18 +0000

I’m glad this failed.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 08:48:02 +0000

i perfectly understand the situation or the concept; but that does not justify Teachers who have made an impact as a good
Teacher. Also Principal’s who are transferred to other school’s every four year’s might show a different attitude towards a good teacher and label her as unfit while the previous Principal at that school made her look good since she was a good teacher. How about eveluate everyone including private business and Public to five Years. It sound riduclous and waste of money. Better put money to good use. I do know that public sector is lazy then private sector. Lots of kick back as civil servant and too protected and hide agenda’s till the you know what hits the fence and then try to blame others or sweep it under the rug as a right off. After that… continue again as usual and no-one will notice again till caught and then you resign or retire. What a joke !! this is what you call public system. Too much goofing around for public sector.

By: California Conservative » “Judgement Day”: Coverage of California’s Special Election

Tue, 08 Nov 2005 16:54:07 +0000

[...] Schwarzenegger’s Reform Initiatives: Prop. 74: Teacher Tenure/Education Reform Prop. 75: Paycheck Protection Prop. 76: State Spending Limit Prop. 77: Redistricting [...]

By: California Conservative » Attacking Arnold: What They’re Saying

California Conservative » Attacking Arnold: What They’re Saying — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 12:22:22 +0000

[...] Prop. 74 “…a retaliation [against teachers] for standing up…” [...]

By: California Conservative » Gov. Schwarzenegger: The Opposition Is Using Scare Tactics

Tue, 08 Nov 2005 11:15:41 +0000

[...] RELATED: Prop. 74: Put The Kids First Act [...]

By: Joseph de Guzman

Joseph de Guzman — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 16:21:25 +0000

how come no one has thought of this before?

what a concept!…

I applaud the the conservatives on this.

only complaint is: take out free trade and or re-write this monster to make it harder on the businesses to make people jobless!… (shame on Bush Sr.)

By: California Conservative

California Conservative — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 16:49:37 +0000

Amy,

That’s a fair question, and certainly there should be an “objective” way to measure anyone’s job performance — government employee or not.

Take the post office or the DMV, for examples. We’ve all had experiences in which the performance has been substandard, but what can be done? There’s no recourse. Gov’t doesn’t care about “customer satisfaction.” One might point out the fact that if private industry worked according to the same pace and disregard for efficiency, it would never succeed. Imagine a McDonald’s managed by postal employees (not to pick on them, but y’know what we mean). The result, let’s just say, wouldn’t be called “fast food.” Some times the results are just obvious.

In terms of “teacher performance,” since parents aren’t in the classroom to witness what goes on, the results may be measured by year-end testing. Have the majority of students learned anything? Basic skills. Let’s face it: that’s the honest indicator of a teacher’s ability.

Furthermore, the key benefit of Prop. 74 addresses the problem of early tenure. It’s difficult to assess a teacher’s merit in only two years. In fact, it wouldn’t be fair to them. So, by making the terms 5 years, it’s a win-win for parents and schools. Teacher performance may be evaluated on more accurate data.

Lastly, what about “customer satisfaction?” If a teacher isn’t making the grade, than a school should have the ability to remove them. Keeping bad teachers that aren’t doing an excellent job (as measured by student achievement and satisfaction) is doing a disservice to our children who need the best education in order to succeed in a competitive world. As the Secretary of State writes, Prop. 74 “improves the quality of our teachers by rewarding the best teachers and weeding out problem teachers.” That just makes good sense.

By: Amy Allen

Amy Allen — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 06:27:59 +0000

Is there any objective way of calibrating “teacher performance?” Why wouldn’t other public employees be held to a similar standrad?

By: mccannta

mccannta — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 05:38:12 +0000

CA Sp. Election: Prop74 Information

I am undecided on how to vote on Proposition 74. I appreciate the governor’s attempt at education reform and am very sympathetic to any attempt to break-up the teacher’s union, easily the most corrupt political organizations in existence (save maybe …

By: California Conservative » November 8th: California’s Special Election and Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Initiatives

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:32:44 +0000

[...] November 8th: California’s Special Election and Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Initiatives » Prop. 77: Voter Empowerment » Prop. 76: Control Government Spending » Prop. 75:Paycheck Protection » Prop. 74: Education Reform » What Now?! History Repeats Itself » California Conservatives Must Vote » Babbling Boxer: Fisking The Senator’s Statements on Miers’ Withdrawal » Michelle Malkin’s Unhinged » “Scalito’s Way” — The Alito Nomination: Reactions from the Blogosphere » Confirm Judge Alito » Bush to Nominate Alito to Supreme Court » WHAT ALEX SAID–And Why We Should Listen » MSM Needs A Punch In The Nose » Berlusconi Election: “I Tried to Stop Bush” » Halloween Horror in S. California » LA Unified: Sucking Taxpayers Dry » The Establishment Strikes Back, Part III » Technology Sure to Piss the ACLU Off » Sunnis Signing Up Candidate Lists List all posts » [...]