Should we really question what the financial institutions are doing when they are only following the example set for them by our country's leaders?
Please research the fact that the Democratic Leadership is screaming about extras such as Citi Bank's New Jet, the remodeling of offices at Merrill Lynch, etc. and yet Pelosi has her private jet to take her around the country and Obama has a decorator from the stars in Hollywood redecorating the White House and lets not forget the 140-150 million that was just spent on the innaugaration. We must have leadership by example in America .Is this why we need the stimulus? or is it part of the stimulus?
Showing posts with label Critical Thinking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Critical Thinking. Show all posts
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Will anyone stop the chanting?
"We must get the stimulus plan passed as soon as possible" are words we are hearing chanted across Washington and the press over the past few weeks. With every announcement of a company laying off more employees the chant grows louder and more passionate. Who can dismiss over 80,000 people so far this week losing their job without wanting to find a solution? How can Pelosi, Reid and Obama stand with straight faces saying their stimulus plan is going to provide an answer to our economies problems when the bill originally had money for grass, condomns, STD education, the arts and many causes that might be "nice" but are not items that will provide jobs or a boost to the economy. The stimulus plan has turned out to be instead of something that will be provide CPR to a dieing economy a final death blow of pet projects. Every citizen needs to read what is attempting to be passed off as the answer to the problems of our economy without Political Party allegiances. Then common sense must prevail and individuals must speak out against the insanity of the chanting that this must be passed when only twelve cents on the dollar of the "stimulus" plan has anything to do with increasing jobs and providing a boost to the economy.
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Thursday, January 22, 2009
A New Era of Responsibility? from the Fox Forum
A New Era Of Responsibility? The Conundrum That Is Barack Obama
By Jon Kraushar
Communications Consultant
We’re only a few days into Barack Obama’s presidency and already the plans and people he is committing himself (and the country) to raise questions about the “new era of responsibility” he called for in his inaugural address.
How responsible is it for Obama to select Timothy Geithner as his treasury secretary — one of the architects of a fiasco of money mismanagement and unaccountable federal bailouts whose cost is ballooning toward one trillion dollars?
Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner delivers his opening statement on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 21,2009, during his nomination hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Obama wants to put Geithner, an admitted tax scofflaw, in charge of our tax system. How does this square with his inaugural pledge that, “…those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account—to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day”?
In his inaugural address, Obama also said:
“The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act—not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.”
Obama’s economic stimulation plan is being compared to President Roosevelt’s in the Depression. FDR, like Obama, maintained that government “make work” infrastructure projects would employ millions and grow the economy. However, in FDR’s time, the nation only revived with the “jolt” of World War II, which revved up manufacturing and employed people both in and out of the military.
By Jon Kraushar
Communications Consultant
We’re only a few days into Barack Obama’s presidency and already the plans and people he is committing himself (and the country) to raise questions about the “new era of responsibility” he called for in his inaugural address.
How responsible is it for Obama to select Timothy Geithner as his treasury secretary — one of the architects of a fiasco of money mismanagement and unaccountable federal bailouts whose cost is ballooning toward one trillion dollars?
Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner delivers his opening statement on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 21,2009, during his nomination hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Obama wants to put Geithner, an admitted tax scofflaw, in charge of our tax system. How does this square with his inaugural pledge that, “…those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account—to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day”?
In his inaugural address, Obama also said:
“The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act—not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.”
Obama’s economic stimulation plan is being compared to President Roosevelt’s in the Depression. FDR, like Obama, maintained that government “make work” infrastructure projects would employ millions and grow the economy. However, in FDR’s time, the nation only revived with the “jolt” of World War II, which revved up manufacturing and employed people both in and out of the military.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Are all paradigms good or do some go in the wrong direction?
State exams now count towards high school grades for many Missouri students
By Valerie Schremp Hahn
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Thursday, Jan. 15 2009
It's a dirty little high school secret.For as much as state and federal officials rely on standardized test scores to rate and compare high school quality, they know the exam results are flawed.The reality is that students — particularly those in high school — have known for years that a bad score on a state standardized exam may mean a lot to a principal or teacher, but little to them. So it was tempting for some students not to care too much about how they performed, or to even resort to random bubble-filling.But that's all changing this year.For the first time in Missouri, high school students could see their grade take a hit in certain subjects if they disregard state standardized exams.Under the new system, state exams, now called end-of-course exams, will be part of semester finals for many classes. And the state highly encourages districts to make exams count for at least 10 percent but no more than 25 percent of a student's final class grade.State education officials and St. Louis area school administrators applaud the move as a way to invest students in a state school assessment."There was a value attached to it," said Ron Helms, principal of Lindbergh High School, where students recently took their first end-of-course exams. "The kids didn't look at it as a state assessment alone. They saw it as a part of their final exam."The test also makes it easier for teachers to see exactly what students learned in the course. If a particular teacher or school gets especially good results, others can learn why — though schools shouldn't use the scores to evaluate teachers, says Ann Jarrett, teaching and learning director with the Missouri National Education Association. But some educators say the approach has drawbacks, including scheduling state exams to conform with a district's calendar. Because it could take a week or so to get results, schools have to schedule exam times earlier in order to tally final grades — especially important for graduating seniors or students who might have to enroll in summer school. And while educators agree it's good to test kids on what the state wants them to learn, there's some danger in focusing too much on that goal. A biology teacher, for example, may have less flexibility to personalize her instruction, because she has to administer an exam given to every other biology student in the state. "There is that pitfall of 'I'm only going to teach to this level of the test' rather than 'let's make this a rigorous course,'" said Sara Torres, a supervisory director with the Science Teachers of Missouri. But overall, said Torres, teachers generally think the new tests are a move in the right direction.The Missouri State Board of Education approved the new rules in February 2007, and gave the go-ahead to develop exams for Algebra I, English II and biology. Exams for at least seven other classes are being developed to use next school year and beyond. The changes do not affect testing in elementary or middle school grades.The new high school exams replace the Missouri Assessment Program tests given to sophomores for math and juniors for science and communication arts. Aside from concerns about students not taking tests seriously, critics say the old system didn't test students at the right time, sometimes months after they had covered a topic.Illinois has tried a different approach to making high school exams more meaningful for students. The Prairie State Achievement Exam is built around the ACT college entrance exam. Students who take the exam also receive an ACT score, giving them a motive to perform well. All Missouri public high schools will experience the change by spring. Some are getting the first taste now, because certain courses are structured to end after the fall semester. About 70 of the state's 524 school districts have given their first end-of-course exams this semester. Brentwood High School students took the exams this week. On Wednesday morning, teacher Kelly Javier cheerfully distributed pencils, rulers and even peppermints to her honors Algebra I students before handing out their end-of-course exam. Students knew it would count for 20 percent of their final grade."You always ask me, 'Can I have a drink? Can I go to the bathroom?'" she said. "You better do that. You better hustle. I need all of you and your brain cells before you start."Afterward, students said they found the test challenging but not too tough, and some said the wording was different than what they're used to.Chris Reichert, 15, said that while he took the old MAP exam seriously, it was hard to study for it because nobody knew exactly what would be on it and it covered a huge range of topics. "This is a lot better because it will tell how much we learned in class," he said.Nationwide, more states are turning toward end-of-course exams or exit exams, says the Center on Education Policy. While it's a challenge for some districts to fit so many separate exams into their schedule, many expect the exams to improve accountability and give students immediate feedback on what they have learned."There's a great attraction to these exams, because they seem to be like capstones," said Jack Jennings, founder of the Center on Education Policy, a nonprofit group that researches education issues. And educators hope the exams will result in higher scores."In the end, that should result in better, cleaner data about what is the quality of instruction at the high school," said Michael Muenks, coordinator of curriculum and assessment for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. "We expect that we should see higher numbers of kids being proficient. It should be fascinating to watch."vhahn@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8228
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By Valerie Schremp Hahn
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Thursday, Jan. 15 2009
It's a dirty little high school secret.For as much as state and federal officials rely on standardized test scores to rate and compare high school quality, they know the exam results are flawed.The reality is that students — particularly those in high school — have known for years that a bad score on a state standardized exam may mean a lot to a principal or teacher, but little to them. So it was tempting for some students not to care too much about how they performed, or to even resort to random bubble-filling.But that's all changing this year.For the first time in Missouri, high school students could see their grade take a hit in certain subjects if they disregard state standardized exams.Under the new system, state exams, now called end-of-course exams, will be part of semester finals for many classes. And the state highly encourages districts to make exams count for at least 10 percent but no more than 25 percent of a student's final class grade.State education officials and St. Louis area school administrators applaud the move as a way to invest students in a state school assessment."There was a value attached to it," said Ron Helms, principal of Lindbergh High School, where students recently took their first end-of-course exams. "The kids didn't look at it as a state assessment alone. They saw it as a part of their final exam."The test also makes it easier for teachers to see exactly what students learned in the course. If a particular teacher or school gets especially good results, others can learn why — though schools shouldn't use the scores to evaluate teachers, says Ann Jarrett, teaching and learning director with the Missouri National Education Association. But some educators say the approach has drawbacks, including scheduling state exams to conform with a district's calendar. Because it could take a week or so to get results, schools have to schedule exam times earlier in order to tally final grades — especially important for graduating seniors or students who might have to enroll in summer school. And while educators agree it's good to test kids on what the state wants them to learn, there's some danger in focusing too much on that goal. A biology teacher, for example, may have less flexibility to personalize her instruction, because she has to administer an exam given to every other biology student in the state. "There is that pitfall of 'I'm only going to teach to this level of the test' rather than 'let's make this a rigorous course,'" said Sara Torres, a supervisory director with the Science Teachers of Missouri. But overall, said Torres, teachers generally think the new tests are a move in the right direction.The Missouri State Board of Education approved the new rules in February 2007, and gave the go-ahead to develop exams for Algebra I, English II and biology. Exams for at least seven other classes are being developed to use next school year and beyond. The changes do not affect testing in elementary or middle school grades.The new high school exams replace the Missouri Assessment Program tests given to sophomores for math and juniors for science and communication arts. Aside from concerns about students not taking tests seriously, critics say the old system didn't test students at the right time, sometimes months after they had covered a topic.Illinois has tried a different approach to making high school exams more meaningful for students. The Prairie State Achievement Exam is built around the ACT college entrance exam. Students who take the exam also receive an ACT score, giving them a motive to perform well. All Missouri public high schools will experience the change by spring. Some are getting the first taste now, because certain courses are structured to end after the fall semester. About 70 of the state's 524 school districts have given their first end-of-course exams this semester. Brentwood High School students took the exams this week. On Wednesday morning, teacher Kelly Javier cheerfully distributed pencils, rulers and even peppermints to her honors Algebra I students before handing out their end-of-course exam. Students knew it would count for 20 percent of their final grade."You always ask me, 'Can I have a drink? Can I go to the bathroom?'" she said. "You better do that. You better hustle. I need all of you and your brain cells before you start."Afterward, students said they found the test challenging but not too tough, and some said the wording was different than what they're used to.Chris Reichert, 15, said that while he took the old MAP exam seriously, it was hard to study for it because nobody knew exactly what would be on it and it covered a huge range of topics. "This is a lot better because it will tell how much we learned in class," he said.Nationwide, more states are turning toward end-of-course exams or exit exams, says the Center on Education Policy. While it's a challenge for some districts to fit so many separate exams into their schedule, many expect the exams to improve accountability and give students immediate feedback on what they have learned."There's a great attraction to these exams, because they seem to be like capstones," said Jack Jennings, founder of the Center on Education Policy, a nonprofit group that researches education issues. And educators hope the exams will result in higher scores."In the end, that should result in better, cleaner data about what is the quality of instruction at the high school," said Michael Muenks, coordinator of curriculum and assessment for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. "We expect that we should see higher numbers of kids being proficient. It should be fascinating to watch."vhahn@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8228
If you enjoy reading about interesting news, you might like the 3 O'Clock Stir from STLtoday.com. Sign up and you'll receive an email with unique stories of the day, every Monday-Friday, at no charge. Sign up at http://newsletters.stltoday.com
How can a pessimist create a new paradigm?
Are You An Optimist or a Pessimist?
by Margaret Paul, Ph.D.
"I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else." - Winston Churchill
When you notice your thoughts, which kind of thoughts predominate? Do you find yourself often thinking pessimistic thoughts such as:
* I'll never get where I want to go. I'm a loser.* I'm not smart enough to achieve what I want to achieve.* God is there for others but not for me.* I'm going to end up losing what I have.* The world is very unsafe so I have to always be vigilant.* Why reach out to others? No one really likes me.* Why put forth effort? There is no point since I don't have the talent or ability to success.* Some people just have good luck, but I don't.* Things are going too well. I just know that something bad is going to happen.* Life is too much for me to handle.* I'm going to end up alone.* Life for me will always be a disaster.* There is no point in eating well or exercising - my genetics are against me.* I'm not emotionally or physically healthy, and this is just the way it is. There is nothing I can do about it.* I don't deserve to be happy.* I don't deserve to be loved.
And so on...
Or, do you find yourself often thinking optimistic thoughts such as:
* If I work hard enough and stay focused, I will get where I want to go.* My intelligence and abilities increase with learning.* No one ever succeeds without a lot of effort, and I can put in as much effort as anyone who has ever succeeded.* If I stay tuned into and trust my own inner knowing, I can feel safe.* I am a good and kind person so of course people like me.* It is not luck that causes people to succeed, but belief in themselves.* When bad things happen, these are opportunities for learning and growth.* Life's challenges present me with incredible learning opportunities.* When I am ready for partnership, someone will show up.* Regardless of how physically or emotionally unhealthy my parents were, I can make choices that result in physical and emotional health.* Everyone deserves to be happy, including me.* Everyone deserves to be loved, and everyone is loved by God.
YOU GET TO CHOOSE!
Do you realize that you have free will, which means that you get to choose how you want to think? You get to choose whether you want to be an optimist or a pessimist, and which one you choose determines your feelings and actions.
When you look at the pessimist list, can you see that thinking these kinds of thoughts create depression, procrastination, and continued failure? Can you see when you look at the optimist list how thinking these thoughts create motivation, loving action, and ultimate success in work and life?
YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM!
Instead of seeing yourself as a victim of circumstances, of your past, of your parents, of events or of luck, why not start to monitor your thoughts and consciously change them from negative to positive? You will likely discover that changing your thoughts changes your feelings and actions, as well as outcomes.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by experimenting with changing your thoughts!
Filed under: Attitude , Beliefs , Choices , Motivation , Self-Awareness
Website Email Profile
About Margaret Paul, Ph.D.
Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is a best-selling author of 8 books and co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding® healing process. Are you are ready to heal your pain and discover your joy? Learn Inner Bonding now! Click here for a FREE Inner Bonding Course, and visit our website at http://www.innerbonding.com/ for more articles and help.
by Margaret Paul, Ph.D.
"I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else." - Winston Churchill
When you notice your thoughts, which kind of thoughts predominate? Do you find yourself often thinking pessimistic thoughts such as:
* I'll never get where I want to go. I'm a loser.* I'm not smart enough to achieve what I want to achieve.* God is there for others but not for me.* I'm going to end up losing what I have.* The world is very unsafe so I have to always be vigilant.* Why reach out to others? No one really likes me.* Why put forth effort? There is no point since I don't have the talent or ability to success.* Some people just have good luck, but I don't.* Things are going too well. I just know that something bad is going to happen.* Life is too much for me to handle.* I'm going to end up alone.* Life for me will always be a disaster.* There is no point in eating well or exercising - my genetics are against me.* I'm not emotionally or physically healthy, and this is just the way it is. There is nothing I can do about it.* I don't deserve to be happy.* I don't deserve to be loved.
And so on...
Or, do you find yourself often thinking optimistic thoughts such as:
* If I work hard enough and stay focused, I will get where I want to go.* My intelligence and abilities increase with learning.* No one ever succeeds without a lot of effort, and I can put in as much effort as anyone who has ever succeeded.* If I stay tuned into and trust my own inner knowing, I can feel safe.* I am a good and kind person so of course people like me.* It is not luck that causes people to succeed, but belief in themselves.* When bad things happen, these are opportunities for learning and growth.* Life's challenges present me with incredible learning opportunities.* When I am ready for partnership, someone will show up.* Regardless of how physically or emotionally unhealthy my parents were, I can make choices that result in physical and emotional health.* Everyone deserves to be happy, including me.* Everyone deserves to be loved, and everyone is loved by God.
YOU GET TO CHOOSE!
Do you realize that you have free will, which means that you get to choose how you want to think? You get to choose whether you want to be an optimist or a pessimist, and which one you choose determines your feelings and actions.
When you look at the pessimist list, can you see that thinking these kinds of thoughts create depression, procrastination, and continued failure? Can you see when you look at the optimist list how thinking these thoughts create motivation, loving action, and ultimate success in work and life?
YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM!
Instead of seeing yourself as a victim of circumstances, of your past, of your parents, of events or of luck, why not start to monitor your thoughts and consciously change them from negative to positive? You will likely discover that changing your thoughts changes your feelings and actions, as well as outcomes.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by experimenting with changing your thoughts!
Filed under: Attitude , Beliefs , Choices , Motivation , Self-Awareness
Website Email Profile
About Margaret Paul, Ph.D.
Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is a best-selling author of 8 books and co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding® healing process. Are you are ready to heal your pain and discover your joy? Learn Inner Bonding now! Click here for a FREE Inner Bonding Course, and visit our website at http://www.innerbonding.com/ for more articles and help.
Ralp Waldo Emerson
"If one has to submit, it is wasteful not to do so with the best grace possible."
- Ralph WaldoEmerson
- Ralph WaldoEmerson
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Shifting the thinking about our schools....
orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/localandstate/orl-dropout1309jan13,0,5712907.story
OrlandoSentinel.com
How to keep kids in school?
Christine Armario
The Associated Press
January 13, 2009
CLEARWATER
Mary Jane Henry and her husband are college-educated professionals. She worked for years as a caseworker specializing in children with psychological disorders. He is a computer programmer.Despite their backgrounds and attentiveness to their children, two of their boys dropped out of high school, she said."He was always there, interacting with teachers, interacting with principals," Henry recalls of her husband. "All of those things were in place, and none of it motivated them to stay there."On Monday, Henry and her sons attended the statewide Dropout Prevention Summit hosted by the Florida Department of Education. For two days, parents, students, administrators and advocates will work together to brainstorm ideas to solve a dilemma families are facing nationwide: how to keep a child in school.Across the state, 2.6 percent of high-school students dropped out during the 2007-08 school year, according the state Department of Education. In many places, that figure is significantly higher.The impact is far-reaching: High-school graduates in Florida are twice as likely to be employed as those who don't finish school. Dropouts will likely earn less than their peers and are more likely to be incarcerated or need public assistance, according to figures from the Department of Education presented at the conference.At a time when Florida schools are facing the prospect of even deeper budget cuts, the need to combine resources with community leaders is paramount, several of the participants said."Students and their concerns don't go away because budgets decline," said Kimberly Davis, director of dropout prevention for the Education Department. "We have to still keep working and keep moving forward, but we've got to make sure that we're doing it efficiently."Florida often ranks low in national rankings of high-school graduation. The Quality Counts report released last week ranked the state 44th in the nation, with a graduation rate of 60.8 percent.State education officials say the graduation rate in the 2007-08 school year was actually 75.4 percent. Among other things, Florida includes students who earn general educational development diplomas, which are not counted by many national rankings.For three years, education leaders in Florida have been gathering for workshops on dropout prevention. But this is the first year that students, parents and business and community leaders have come together to develop an action plan, Davis said.
Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel
OrlandoSentinel.com
How to keep kids in school?
Christine Armario
The Associated Press
January 13, 2009
CLEARWATER
Mary Jane Henry and her husband are college-educated professionals. She worked for years as a caseworker specializing in children with psychological disorders. He is a computer programmer.Despite their backgrounds and attentiveness to their children, two of their boys dropped out of high school, she said."He was always there, interacting with teachers, interacting with principals," Henry recalls of her husband. "All of those things were in place, and none of it motivated them to stay there."On Monday, Henry and her sons attended the statewide Dropout Prevention Summit hosted by the Florida Department of Education. For two days, parents, students, administrators and advocates will work together to brainstorm ideas to solve a dilemma families are facing nationwide: how to keep a child in school.Across the state, 2.6 percent of high-school students dropped out during the 2007-08 school year, according the state Department of Education. In many places, that figure is significantly higher.The impact is far-reaching: High-school graduates in Florida are twice as likely to be employed as those who don't finish school. Dropouts will likely earn less than their peers and are more likely to be incarcerated or need public assistance, according to figures from the Department of Education presented at the conference.At a time when Florida schools are facing the prospect of even deeper budget cuts, the need to combine resources with community leaders is paramount, several of the participants said."Students and their concerns don't go away because budgets decline," said Kimberly Davis, director of dropout prevention for the Education Department. "We have to still keep working and keep moving forward, but we've got to make sure that we're doing it efficiently."Florida often ranks low in national rankings of high-school graduation. The Quality Counts report released last week ranked the state 44th in the nation, with a graduation rate of 60.8 percent.State education officials say the graduation rate in the 2007-08 school year was actually 75.4 percent. Among other things, Florida includes students who earn general educational development diplomas, which are not counted by many national rankings.For three years, education leaders in Florida have been gathering for workshops on dropout prevention. But this is the first year that students, parents and business and community leaders have come together to develop an action plan, Davis said.
Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel
One more thought about Adult Illiteracy
Ken, while I understand what you are saying, I don't think that's the point. No one is suggesting that all those people aren't intelligent. The study, the original article (USA Today), and the Lou Dobbs story (CNN) focused on the fact that we have a very high rate of unemployment right now. Illiteracy is just one more hurdle that some people have to cross in order to fully function in society and hold jobs. Life would be a lot easier for those 32 million Americans if they could read and write English. I think America needs to make literacy a priority. Unlike a lot of other issues, there is no downside to helping people learn to read and write.
Posted by: Loraine January 14, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Please make the effort to read modern research on the prevention and remediation of reading disability. Focus information from 2005 and later. Be aware that what we learned about this pre-2000 is far out of date. The key message is that we must do whatever it takes to teach kids to read proficiently by 3rd grade. Use research-based methods. Don't wait, and don't think you know about this because you have teaching experience--make this a professional development priority.
Posted by: Katie January 14, 2009 at 10:33 PM
About 82% of Adults with reading disorders have some type of undiagnosed reading difficulty. When I was a Junior in college I found out that I had Irlen Syndrome. After I was diagnosed I went from a C student to an A - B student. Working with Adults with Disabililties makes me realize just how many people are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all who may have this condition. If you want to know more about this you can look it up on the internet or contact me and I will explain it to you.
Posted by: Lee Ann Allan January 15, 2009 at 07:21 AM
another post from the ASCD Inservice blog from Professional Educators
http://ascd.typepad.com/blog/2009/01/1-in-7-us-adults-struggle-reading-anything-beyond-a-picture-book.html
Posted by: Loraine January 14, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Please make the effort to read modern research on the prevention and remediation of reading disability. Focus information from 2005 and later. Be aware that what we learned about this pre-2000 is far out of date. The key message is that we must do whatever it takes to teach kids to read proficiently by 3rd grade. Use research-based methods. Don't wait, and don't think you know about this because you have teaching experience--make this a professional development priority.
Posted by: Katie January 14, 2009 at 10:33 PM
About 82% of Adults with reading disorders have some type of undiagnosed reading difficulty. When I was a Junior in college I found out that I had Irlen Syndrome. After I was diagnosed I went from a C student to an A - B student. Working with Adults with Disabililties makes me realize just how many people are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all who may have this condition. If you want to know more about this you can look it up on the internet or contact me and I will explain it to you.
Posted by: Lee Ann Allan January 15, 2009 at 07:21 AM
another post from the ASCD Inservice blog from Professional Educators
http://ascd.typepad.com/blog/2009/01/1-in-7-us-adults-struggle-reading-anything-beyond-a-picture-book.html
Friday, January 9, 2009
An example of the desperate need for new paradigms
Why Do I Teach?As any teacher knows, there will always come a time when you ask yourself, "Why do I teach?" When one teacher asked herself that question, she got an answer. It began when teachers in a Maryland school district agreed in early December to give up a 5% pay raise for the coming school year to help their district cope with the impact that current economic conditions have had on their schools. After the local paper wrote a story on their decision, she received the following e-mail from the student body co-president who read the article.
Dear Mrs. G.,Not until after coming across this article in the paper yesterday did I become aware of the great sacrifice that the teachers, faculty, and staff of our county have made in order to ensure the stability of our public school system. I was pleasantly surprised by this heroic act of altruism and would like to extend my utmost appreciation to the employees at-large of our county, but most importantly, to the teachers, faculty, and staff of our high school. In these times of economic instability, I, as well as the rest of the BHS and district student bodies, should be honored that we have been of priority concern in the minds of our teachers, even as they may be dealing with hardships of their own. Best wishes to you and the rest of the BHS teachers, faculty, and staff for a wonderful holiday season—you all deserve it!
Dear Mrs. G.,Not until after coming across this article in the paper yesterday did I become aware of the great sacrifice that the teachers, faculty, and staff of our county have made in order to ensure the stability of our public school system. I was pleasantly surprised by this heroic act of altruism and would like to extend my utmost appreciation to the employees at-large of our county, but most importantly, to the teachers, faculty, and staff of our high school. In these times of economic instability, I, as well as the rest of the BHS and district student bodies, should be honored that we have been of priority concern in the minds of our teachers, even as they may be dealing with hardships of their own. Best wishes to you and the rest of the BHS teachers, faculty, and staff for a wonderful holiday season—you all deserve it!
Can you spot paradigms and distinguish between ones that need to never change and those that will change with time?
There are paradigms in every sector of our society. Below is what I wrote in "sports speak" or the lingo of the sporting world to several people and publications.
As I look back on it I see that what we are dealing with is really "paradigms" and shifting to new ways of thinking. See what I am talking about in the words below. Can you spot the paradigms either referred to directly or indirectly in my writing?
Here is what I wrote...
Florida showed last night why the smack-talk of the Big Twelve was just that...talk! What happened to that 60plus point prolific offense that no one could stop? This shows why it was wrong to give the Oklahoma Quarterback the Heisman! Anyone could have put up the yards and points that he did this season if they were playing against "pop warner Big Twelve Defenses". I guess Stoops got stooped!
We need to be able to spot paradigms and see them in most cases as not being set in stone. Yes, murder being wrong is a paradigm that is consistent and should never change but the Big Twelve Quarterbacks being superior to the rest of the Quarterbacks in college football is an example of a paradigm that can change. We are in a day of shifting paradigms...we must be able to spot the things that are constant or unchangeable and those that we must be flexible on ....what do you think?
We all have shifted our paradigms...
We all have shifted our paradigms ...We just did not realize
that was what we were doing!
"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong." - Charles Wadworth
We need to not be afraid of things just because we may not understand the terminology or the full implications of an idea. Many are afraid of new ideas and change when change and new ideas have been apart of everyone's life since the time they were handed off from the doctor to their parents in the hospital at birth!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Who is asking the tough questions?
Key Democrat: No stimulus by inauguration
WASHINGTON - Congressional Democrats said Sunday that President-elect Barack Obama probably will have to wait until next month before getting the chance to sign an economic aid bill his team once hoped would be on his desk by his swearing-in Jan. 20.
“It’s going to be very difficult to get the package put together that early,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland said. “But we certainly want to see this package passed through the House of Representatives no later than the end of this month, get it over to the Senate, and have it to the president before we break” in mid-February.
Obama planned to meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Monday to talk about enacting a massive spending plan. The president-elect also scheduled a separate meeting with the entire Democratic and Republican leadership teams.
Reid said they will do their “very very best” to get a package finished as soon as possible, but he was unwilling to set an artificial deadline for completion.
“We’re going to get it done as quickly as we can,” Reid said.
Added Hoyer: “We’re going to move as quickly as possible, given our responsibilities to make sure that we’re passing a package that will work.”
Obama said Congress should pass a plan designed to create 3 million jobs. The Democratic president-elect hasn’t announced a final price for it, but aides said the cost could be as high as $775 billion.
Congressional aides briefed on the measure say it probably would blend tax cuts of $500 to $1,000 for middle-class individuals and couples with about $200 billion to help revenue-starved states with their Medicaid programs and other operating costs. A large portion of the measure will go toward public works projects and include new programs such as research and development on energy efficiency and an expensive rebuilding of the information technology system for health care.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky warned Democrats against trying to move quickly without the GOP’s input.
“This is an enormous bill. It could be close to a $1 trillion spending bill,” McConnell said. “Do we want to do it with essentially no hearings, no input, for example, in the Senate from Republican senators who represent half of the American population? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Instead of giving all that money to states as grants, McConnell suggested it go as loans.
“It will make them spend it more wisely,” McConnell said. “The states that didn’t need it at all wouldn’t take any.”
Democrats understand that the GOP has to be involved in anything they do, said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat.
“Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid both know that we can’t pass the economic recovery plan that this nation desperately needs without bipartisan cooperation,” Durbin said. “We’ve got to put aside a lot of the squabbling that in the past and come together under this new administration and new leadership, to get the American economy back on line.”
Hoyer said they have only two criteria for passing an economic package.
“Do it as quickly as possible, but do it right, and do it so the American people know what we’re doing, do it so that members of Congress are confident of the action that we’re taking,” Hoyer said. “So those are the two criteria — do it as quickly as possible, but do it right. I think that time frame is hopefully certainly by the end of the month.”
Hoyer spoke on “Fox News Sunday,” Reid appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” while Durbin and McConnell were on “This Week” on ABC.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28494694/
MSN Privacy . Legal© 2009 MSNBC.com
What were they thinking?
What were they thinking?
Alabama has been called the "new Detroit" because of all of the Auto manufacturing that has moved into our state... I wonder if Auburn by hiring a new Coach with a 5-19 record is attempting to make Auburn the Detroit Lions of the south?
Ric
hard Reynolds
hard Reynolds
Consistancy would be nice...
President elect Obama has stirred the emotions of many Americans over his choice of Pastor Rick Warren giving the Invocation as the Inauguration. The emotions that have been stirred are lacking any form of consistency. During the run for the White House when the complaints over Obama having Rev. Wright as a Pastor began to surface and many began to wonder how someone could sit under his preaching for twenty years these people were considered narrow minded by many of the same individuals who are now complaining about Rick Warren giving a prayer. When conservatives were questioning things with Rev. Wright they were devisive, playing partisan politics and racial bigots infringing on Obama's religous liberties. Now the groups that are questioning Obama's judgement with Rick Warren's one prayer and not twenty years of preaching and prayers like they were insisting with Rev. Wright were of little importance are lacking in consistency. Today bo
th the "left" and "right" should remain consistant with their actions and ideologies instead of relying on what is convenient. Our world is screaming for people that will be consistant day by day and not ones that check which way the winds are blowing to decide what they should think.
th the "left" and "right" should remain consistant with their actions and ideologies instead of relying on what is convenient. Our world is screaming for people that will be consistant day by day and not ones that check which way the winds are blowing to decide what they should think. Richard H. Reynolds M.Div.,M.Ed.,Ed.S.
Big Expectations
www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sat-autobailoutdec20,0,4932706.story
chicagotribune.com
reporterDecember 20, 2008
Can Detroit's auto giants do in three months what has stymied them for 30 years?
That's the monumental challenge at the heart of the $17.4 billion plan from President George W. Bush's administration to prop up General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC long enough for them to attempt a pair of massive restructurings.
Ford Motor Co. so far doesn't need bailout funds, but the government is asking GM and Chrysler to:
•Convince holders of tens of billions in unsecured debt to swap two-thirds of their claims for equity of unknown value.
•Strong-arm the United Auto Workers into accepting work rules and wages that make them competitive with foreign rivals.
•Let the government examine their books and prove that they can be financially viable.
The moves are meant to blunt the onslaught of Toyota and Honda, which the Big Three have failed to do for decades. Experts say that will also involve shrinking dealer networks, eliminating tired brands and slashing manufacturing capacity.
"They will have to be radically transformed," said Douglas Baird, a corporate restructuring specialist at the University of Chicago Law School. "Maybe it works and let's hope it does. But can you really get all these people [to agree on anything]?"
After a long political battle over the fate of the auto companies, the Bush plan in many ways passes the crisis to the incoming Barack Obama administration.
It will extend $13.4 in emergency loans to GM and Chrysler right away in return for a pledge to meet a strict set of restructuring goals by March 31. At that point, the Obama team will have to decide if the companies have done enough to be considered viable.
If the answer is yes, they will be eligible to receive another $4 billion to fund operations. If not, they would have to pay back the original loans and fend for themselves. Until the inauguration, the effort will be overseen by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who will assume the role of "car czar" contemplated in bailout legislation that failed to pass Congress earlier this month.
The rescue pits Bush against many in the Republican party and reverses his recent position. But if he didn't act, he faced the prospect of closing his presidency with the collapse of one of America's most important industries.
"Under ordinary economic circumstances … I would not favor intervening to prevent the automakers from going out of business," he said during a Friday press conference. "But these are not ordinary circumstances."
On Thursday, Bush and his spokeswoman Dana Perino hinted that the administration was giving serious thought to structuring a bailout around a so-called organized bankruptcy—an effort to forge a multiparty restructuring deal in advance of a Chapter 11 filing.
Bankruptcy experts applauded the idea, noting that a restructuring of this magnitude is almost impossible to accomplish outside the legal framework of bankruptcy court, where a judge has the ultimate power to rip up old contracts and enforce the enactment of new ones.
The auto lobby, however, argued vociferously that the taint of bankruptcy would scare off so many customers that the already teetering companies would never be able to recover. The Bush plan strikes a compromise: It uses the carrot of government funding to force the auto companies, their lenders, the UAW and countless other constituencies to strike a bankruptcy-like deal without the stigma of an actual filing.
Experts said the effort will face a thicket of difficulties.
The UAW and the auto dealers are showing no inclination to compromise. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said the focus on labor was unfair and pledged to ask the Obama team to eliminate what many others feel are crucial provisions.
Annette Sykora, chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, said that while her membership understands that cuts must be made, they also demand fair compensation for individual dealers forced to close.
When asked what type of compensation dealers might settle for, Sykora hinted at the complexity the auto companies can expect. "We have close to 20,000 members, and you could get close to 20,000 answers to that question."
When it comes to restructuring the debt, the problems only multiply.
The Bush plan insists that GM and Chrysler swap two-thirds of their unsecured debt for equity. In a normal bankruptcy that might not be so difficult. But when the company is burning cash and survival is in question, the future value of the equity is a leap of faith. One bankruptcy attorney who asked not to be named said a swap leads to sticky negotiations over the rights of equity holders and what control they can exert.
"When you swap debt for equity, debt holders become owners," the attorney said. "They turn into busybodies and start making all sorts of demands."
U. of C.'s Baird notes that all of these negotiations would be easier in bankruptcy court. Rules allow a majority of bondholders to force an agreement on others. A judge can weigh dealer and labor contracts objectively and decide what makes sense for the greater good. Without that construct, success may become a test of Obama's resolve and clout.
"In these situations, motivation turns on the credibility of the threat," Baird said. "Is Obama going to hold them to it? We don't know."
mdoneal@tribune.comCopyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
chicagotribune.com
Big expectations for autoBailout plan calls for radical changes in three months
By Michael OnealTribunereporterDecember 20, 2008
Can Detroit's auto giants do in three months what has stymied them for 30 years?
That's the monumental challenge at the heart of the $17.4 billion plan from President George W. Bush's administration to prop up General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC long enough for them to attempt a pair of massive restructurings.
Ford Motor Co. so far doesn't need bailout funds, but the government is asking GM and Chrysler to:
•Convince holders of tens of billions in unsecured debt to swap two-thirds of their claims for equity of unknown value.
•Strong-arm the United Auto Workers into accepting work rules and wages that make them competitive with foreign rivals.
•Let the government examine their books and prove that they can be financially viable.
The moves are meant to blunt the onslaught of Toyota and Honda, which the Big Three have failed to do for decades. Experts say that will also involve shrinking dealer networks, eliminating tired brands and slashing manufacturing capacity.
"They will have to be radically transformed," said Douglas Baird, a corporate restructuring specialist at the University of Chicago Law School. "Maybe it works and let's hope it does. But can you really get all these people [to agree on anything]?"
After a long political battle over the fate of the auto companies, the Bush plan in many ways passes the crisis to the incoming Barack Obama administration.
It will extend $13.4 in emergency loans to GM and Chrysler right away in return for a pledge to meet a strict set of restructuring goals by March 31. At that point, the Obama team will have to decide if the companies have done enough to be considered viable.
If the answer is yes, they will be eligible to receive another $4 billion to fund operations. If not, they would have to pay back the original loans and fend for themselves. Until the inauguration, the effort will be overseen by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who will assume the role of "car czar" contemplated in bailout legislation that failed to pass Congress earlier this month.
The rescue pits Bush against many in the Republican party and reverses his recent position. But if he didn't act, he faced the prospect of closing his presidency with the collapse of one of America's most important industries.
"Under ordinary economic circumstances … I would not favor intervening to prevent the automakers from going out of business," he said during a Friday press conference. "But these are not ordinary circumstances."
On Thursday, Bush and his spokeswoman Dana Perino hinted that the administration was giving serious thought to structuring a bailout around a so-called organized bankruptcy—an effort to forge a multiparty restructuring deal in advance of a Chapter 11 filing.
Bankruptcy experts applauded the idea, noting that a restructuring of this magnitude is almost impossible to accomplish outside the legal framework of bankruptcy court, where a judge has the ultimate power to rip up old contracts and enforce the enactment of new ones.
The auto lobby, however, argued vociferously that the taint of bankruptcy would scare off so many customers that the already teetering companies would never be able to recover. The Bush plan strikes a compromise: It uses the carrot of government funding to force the auto companies, their lenders, the UAW and countless other constituencies to strike a bankruptcy-like deal without the stigma of an actual filing.
Experts said the effort will face a thicket of difficulties.
The UAW and the auto dealers are showing no inclination to compromise. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said the focus on labor was unfair and pledged to ask the Obama team to eliminate what many others feel are crucial provisions.
Annette Sykora, chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, said that while her membership understands that cuts must be made, they also demand fair compensation for individual dealers forced to close.
When asked what type of compensation dealers might settle for, Sykora hinted at the complexity the auto companies can expect. "We have close to 20,000 members, and you could get close to 20,000 answers to that question."
When it comes to restructuring the debt, the problems only multiply.
The Bush plan insists that GM and Chrysler swap two-thirds of their unsecured debt for equity. In a normal bankruptcy that might not be so difficult. But when the company is burning cash and survival is in question, the future value of the equity is a leap of faith. One bankruptcy attorney who asked not to be named said a swap leads to sticky negotiations over the rights of equity holders and what control they can exert.
"When you swap debt for equity, debt holders become owners," the attorney said. "They turn into busybodies and start making all sorts of demands."
U. of C.'s Baird notes that all of these negotiations would be easier in bankruptcy court. Rules allow a majority of bondholders to force an agreement on others. A judge can weigh dealer and labor contracts objectively and decide what makes sense for the greater good. Without that construct, success may become a test of Obama's resolve and clout.
"In these situations, motivation turns on the credibility of the threat," Baird said. "Is Obama going to hold them to it? We don't know."
mdoneal@tribune.comCopyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
Laziness
"Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired."
- Jules Renard
...if this is your working definition of "laziness" it might be difficult to shift paradigms in 
your personal life....
your personal life....Navigating the Next Year
Herman Trend Alert: Navigating the Next Year
December 31, 2008
A recent study by the well-respected organization The Corporate Executive Board offers some sage advice for corporate leaders about how to successfully navigate the next year.Speaking on MSNBC, Tom Monahan, Chairman and CEO of this unique peer-to-peer network, shared the results of their recent research. When asked which issues would be most challenging in 2009, 30 percent of the corporate leaders who responded answered "protecting growth initiatives", 24 percent said "making critical talent plays", 21 percent answered "exploiting risk opportunities", and 17 percent replied "improving cost discipline".Overall, the suggested strategies highlight the need for leaders to change i
n five key areas.
n five key areas. First, the report directs executives to "focus on product and services [expenditures] in their cost-cutting process, not just overhead cost, because that is where long-term competitive advantage lies".
Second, leaders must be vigilant to "protect growth initiatives ". This strategy involves identifying and sheltering growth opportunities in the capital budget. In addition, the report suggests they integrate concrete innovation targets into performance expectations and reporting, even while belt-tightening".
Third, leverage financial strengths. Foster innovations that target the shifting financial strengths of customers and suppliers.Fourth, "exploit risk opportunities: embrace, don't eradicate, "the right" risk exposures".
Finally, and in our view most importantly, now is the time to "make critical talent plays", "to court and cultivate tomorrow's winners". Take the opportunity to close critical skill gaps with less-occupied talent. Reward outstanding performance. "Use the economic crisis to sharpen the acumen of future executives." "Embrace offshore centers as a source for critical skills and next-generation executive leadership, not just low-cost execution."
The study also found that one in four top, high-performing employees expects to leave in next 12 months, up from one in 10 last year. Wise employers will use this downtime to re-engage employees with "stay interviews", re-orientation, and special projects.
This re-engagement will also reduce the five percent productivity loss that translates into about $100 Million in lost operating cash flow for the average company. Monahan closed his interview with an astute observation: "Companies playing offense on talent have a remarkable opportunity right now."********
Where's the Change?
Where's the Change?
by Richard Reynolds M.Div.,M.Ed.,Ed.S.
Year's ago Wendy's had one of the most famous advertisement lines of all times, "Where's the beef?" Currently, as we approach the innaugaration of President elect Obama the line should be, "Where's the change?" His mantra was "Change" throughout his presidential campaign. Yet already his actions are speaking louder than his chants about change. A large percentage of his cabinet and advisors are old guard political officials from the Clinton years or obvious payoffs for support during his election campaign. For example Leon Panetta has been selected for the CIA Chief when he is has as the media calls it ,"no intelligence experience." Yes, he was the Chief of Staff for President Clinton when Terrorism grew at ran unchecked. Obama tried to pay Gov. Richardson back for his support and turning his back on Hillary Clinton during the campaign by nominating him for the Secretary of Commerce. Now, he is resigning because of a possible corruption indictment in New Mexico. Obama also has mastered already the art of staying away from controversial subjects and being far away from hot potato subjects where he can not get burned. Even the left is complaining that he will not make a statement about the current crisis with Israel. While orating about Change during the campaign he pledged to make those hard decisions to bring hope back to America. If he is already doing this and he has not even gotten through the innaugaration will America be asking by this time next year, "Where's the change?" We should all hope for the sake of our country that Obama can succeed with his promises. For that to happen each citizen should hold him to basic truth in advertising standards of requiring him to produce what he has advertised about change. Keep asking ,"Where's the change?"
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