I listened to Gov. Bredesen’s State of the State address tonight, then downloaded the print version so that I can better absorb the details.
Education consumed the majority of the content, and I have to say that I’m fairly pleased with what I heard. He does plan to ask for a 40-cents per pack increase in the cigarette tax, and that’s where most of the new education money will come from.
The quandary: to continue my habit and support adequate education funding (thereby preserving my sanity and that of everyone around me), or to quit (thus avoiding a $146/year tax increase)? NOTE: my question is purely rhetorical. Leave me alone.
Another of the Governor’s ambitious goals is for every 8th grader and every 10th grader to take the ACT. He wants to add a fourth year of math to the high school graduation requirement, but did not specify a particular course.
I’ll undoubtedly write more about his plans once I’ve slept, and again when his budget is introduced in a couple of weeks.
“The quandary: to continue my habit and support adequate education funding (thereby preserving my sanity and that of everyone around me), or to quit (thus avoiding a $146/year tax increase)? NOTE: my question is purely rhetorical. Leave me alone.”
Can’t “leave you alone” rhetoric aside. Your total costs will out run the benefits to education in the long run. Give it up. We can do w/o the money, $146/year in a $43 mil. request.
On the up side, Commissioner Seivers was on the Radio this morning early. She was impressive (always is IMHO). She expounded on the scholarship problems. Not only lack of being prepared; but the lack psychological and emotional maturity being a possible cause. I got to agree. My first quarter, yes quarter not semester, was horrid. A “probationary period” for the scholarship is what the Governor also discussed this morning on the radio. Not a bad idea. He says he will not consider any probation type fix on this until he has consulted with the higher ed. folks, i.e. University Presidents, Administrators, Regents, and Trustees. Sounds like the man has a plan.
Over all: Good Job.
Go smoke one more and throw ’em down. There are better pleasures out there that don’t cost your health so much.
Ok, now I will leave you alone.
I can’t agree more about saving that $146. If you need to spend it, I will open an account for your deposits if that will help.
The Department of Education has been working on many of these issues as well. I know someone working on the disconnect between the HS graduation requirements and the college entry requirements. That gap needs to be narrowed.
And while the rate of the loss of the scholarships is in line with that of other states, I think the Governor is right to attack the underlying causes and allow for the nature of freshmen students. These scholarships will be better spent if they are spent and the students graduate. Otherwise it is a wasted tool.
But the bottom line, I like the expansion of funding at the state level. Lets try to target getting out of the bottom quartile and see how that feels.