This past summer, rising Chatham County 12th grade honors english students were required to read Frankenstein, by Mary Shelly. Here is a link to the requirements: http://bit.ly/ChathamSummerReading2017.
Students had to take notes regarding quotes from the book, and then give their own commentary on those quotes. So far, so good (although Frankenstein seems a weird choice for a summer honors reading course).
The course materials provided an example for student commentary. For a 'quote', the example uses 'Give me liberty or give me death'.
Now, dear readers, do you remember the full quote from Patrick Henry, one of our nation's founding fathers? The final paragraph from his speech to the Second Virginia Convention in March of 1775 was a rallying cry to raise a militia in response to King George III's military threats against the colonists. Here is the full quote:
"It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
The Chatham County school instructions then give a suggested interpretation of this founding fathers quote:
'Patrick Henry really was an extremist. I can’t believe he really wanted to die if the Colonies didn’t declare a revolution. There was no negotiating with him. He was a warmonger!'
I am disgusted with that example. Examples are meant to instruct, and this example instructs disrespect for our nation's founding.
Is this REALLY what our Chatham County schools think of Patrick Henry? Is this what WE as Chatham County taxpayers think of our founding fathers and the War for Independence?
If so, we as a County, and we as a Nation, are in trouble.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Chatham County School Grades
Our local newspaper recently released the 2016 grades for each of the Chatham County schools. Despite an upbeat approach, detailed reading of the article (a copy is at http://bit.ly/Chatham_Grades) gave me the impression that we could find improvements in education for our next generation. The grades were:
Margaret Pollard (6-8): B
Pittsboro Elementary (K-5): B
Silk Hope (K-8): B
Chatham Central (9-12): B
Northwood (9-12): B
Perry Harrison (K-5): B
Moncure (K-8): C
North Chatham (K-5): C
Siler City Elementary (K-5): C
Bennett (K-8): C
Bonlee (K-8): C
Jordan Matthews (9-12): C
Horton (6-8): C
J.S. Waters (K-8): C
Virginia Cross Elementary (K-5): D
Chatham Middle (6-8): D
SAGE Academy (Alternative 9-12): Not Listed
Science and Technology: Not Listed
That got me to wondering about how much we spend on education. From the School Board website, I found that there are about 8,700 students in Chatham schools, supported by an education establishment of 1,190 employees. So, there is one staff member for every 7.3 students. It would be nice to know how many are support staff versus teaching staff, but I did not see that breakout on the school board website.
Total non-capital budget for the school system is over $93 million dollars this year (see http://bit.ly/ChathamSchools17-18). Put another way, each student receives on average $10,670 per year in tax dollar support.
This year's school calendar shows 170 school days, with an additional two early release days. Guessing an average of 7 hours per day in class, that means each student should learn something for about 1,190 hours. Again, looking at that another way, each learning hour averages almost $9 per hour per student.
Median salary for teachers is roughly $45,000 per year. Teachers spend about 8 more days per year than do the students. Allowing for a 9-hour day on average to allow for prep time and grading, that suggests each teacher works a bit over 1,600 hours in the school year. A standard business work year with holidays and including 2 weeks vacation is 1,920 hours. Using the standard work year, each teacher works for about 83% of a standard work year. IF that 83% were a full work year, the equivalent salary would be $54,200. Not bad.
So what? We spend A LOT of money on educating students. I suspect most of our teachers are dedicated and hard-working professionals doing their best. But, something is not working right, or our Chatham County scores would be higher, and as a nation we would be out-scoring more of our world competitors in math and the sciences. I don't think more money is the answer to our education problems.
My suspicion is that we are asking our education system to do in excess of what it can deliver. I am guessing that a lot of our education issues are based more on parental lack of oversight and encouragement, students spending too much in and out of class time flipping through websites and messaging friends, courses that are more politically correct than rigorous, and a society that glorifies sports and entertainment over mathematics, science, farming, or trades.
One of my least-favorite public figures once wrote a book that claimed it takes a village to raise a child. Maybe so; maybe it takes public figures, entertainers, sports figures, journalists, clergy, peer groups and others along with parents to encourage students to study, work hard, respect their teachers, and understand the value of their elementary and secondary educations.
And maybe it takes all of us in Chatham County to understand where our tax dollars go, and then to help determine if funds are being spent wisely. Chatham County - get involved! Research school board candidates, go to school board meetings, understand the budgets, root out the facts versus hype and hysteria, and make solid and well-reasoned selections when voting for school board candidates.
Margaret Pollard (6-8): B
Pittsboro Elementary (K-5): B
Silk Hope (K-8): B
Chatham Central (9-12): B
Northwood (9-12): B
Perry Harrison (K-5): B
Moncure (K-8): C
North Chatham (K-5): C
Siler City Elementary (K-5): C
Bennett (K-8): C
Bonlee (K-8): C
Jordan Matthews (9-12): C
Horton (6-8): C
J.S. Waters (K-8): C
Virginia Cross Elementary (K-5): D
Chatham Middle (6-8): D
SAGE Academy (Alternative 9-12): Not Listed
Science and Technology: Not Listed
That got me to wondering about how much we spend on education. From the School Board website, I found that there are about 8,700 students in Chatham schools, supported by an education establishment of 1,190 employees. So, there is one staff member for every 7.3 students. It would be nice to know how many are support staff versus teaching staff, but I did not see that breakout on the school board website.
Total non-capital budget for the school system is over $93 million dollars this year (see http://bit.ly/ChathamSchools17-18). Put another way, each student receives on average $10,670 per year in tax dollar support.
This year's school calendar shows 170 school days, with an additional two early release days. Guessing an average of 7 hours per day in class, that means each student should learn something for about 1,190 hours. Again, looking at that another way, each learning hour averages almost $9 per hour per student.
Median salary for teachers is roughly $45,000 per year. Teachers spend about 8 more days per year than do the students. Allowing for a 9-hour day on average to allow for prep time and grading, that suggests each teacher works a bit over 1,600 hours in the school year. A standard business work year with holidays and including 2 weeks vacation is 1,920 hours. Using the standard work year, each teacher works for about 83% of a standard work year. IF that 83% were a full work year, the equivalent salary would be $54,200. Not bad.
So what? We spend A LOT of money on educating students. I suspect most of our teachers are dedicated and hard-working professionals doing their best. But, something is not working right, or our Chatham County scores would be higher, and as a nation we would be out-scoring more of our world competitors in math and the sciences. I don't think more money is the answer to our education problems.
My suspicion is that we are asking our education system to do in excess of what it can deliver. I am guessing that a lot of our education issues are based more on parental lack of oversight and encouragement, students spending too much in and out of class time flipping through websites and messaging friends, courses that are more politically correct than rigorous, and a society that glorifies sports and entertainment over mathematics, science, farming, or trades.
One of my least-favorite public figures once wrote a book that claimed it takes a village to raise a child. Maybe so; maybe it takes public figures, entertainers, sports figures, journalists, clergy, peer groups and others along with parents to encourage students to study, work hard, respect their teachers, and understand the value of their elementary and secondary educations.
And maybe it takes all of us in Chatham County to understand where our tax dollars go, and then to help determine if funds are being spent wisely. Chatham County - get involved! Research school board candidates, go to school board meetings, understand the budgets, root out the facts versus hype and hysteria, and make solid and well-reasoned selections when voting for school board candidates.
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Regarding Chatlist #5938 League of Women Voters
A big thankyou to Carol Hay, Brad Page, and Ms. Bair for confirming what I said about the League of Women Voters. While offering no facts to dispute my position that the LWV is not non-partisan, they did state that the league supports abortion, abhors voter integrity (voter ID), blames the Republicans for destroying bipartisanship, and so on. A true non-partisan organization would provide the policies of all parties, and would welcome opposing viewpoints to present all sides of an issue to our voting citizens. Likewise, their personal attacks on me are an attempt to mislead the general public on the policies of the LWV and their membership.
Not examples of what I would call non-partisan.
Again, and again, I will continue to say that voters need to do their own research on candidates, platforms, and individually determine how they cast their votes. Please Do Not blindly accept what the parties, and their collaborators, would like you to believe. Regarding organizations like the League of Women Voters, check out their website. Try to discuss opposing points of view and see how well you are received.
Not examples of what I would call non-partisan.
Again, and again, I will continue to say that voters need to do their own research on candidates, platforms, and individually determine how they cast their votes. Please Do Not blindly accept what the parties, and their collaborators, would like you to believe. Regarding organizations like the League of Women Voters, check out their website. Try to discuss opposing points of view and see how well you are received.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
League of Women Voters is Nonpartisan - NOT!
The League of Women Voters (LWV) advertises themselves as being politically nonpartisan. Don't believe everything you read in the Chatlist.
Of the eight officers listed on the LWV website for Orange-Durham-Chatham Counties, six are registered Democrats. Two do not seem to be registered to vote with the North Carolina voter registration system.
Of the two ladies who posted about the upcoming LWV event in Siler City, both are registered Democrats.
The LWV partners with only left-leaning organizations, such as Democracy NC, NC Justice Center, and Planned Parenthood.
While the promoted goals of the League of Women Voters seem admirable, when one looks deeper one finds just another support arm of left-leaning political advocacy.
Take them with a grain of salt. Do your own voter research.
Of the eight officers listed on the LWV website for Orange-Durham-Chatham Counties, six are registered Democrats. Two do not seem to be registered to vote with the North Carolina voter registration system.
Of the two ladies who posted about the upcoming LWV event in Siler City, both are registered Democrats.
The LWV partners with only left-leaning organizations, such as Democracy NC, NC Justice Center, and Planned Parenthood.
While the promoted goals of the League of Women Voters seem admirable, when one looks deeper one finds just another support arm of left-leaning political advocacy.
Take them with a grain of salt. Do your own voter research.
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