On Mon, 03 Apr 2006 02:39:27 GMT, Gunner
wrote:

On Sun, 02 Apr 2006 14:34:24 -0700, Don Bruder
wrote:

In article ,
"John R. Carroll" wrote:

Don Bruder wrote:
In article ,
Don Foreman wrote:

On Sun, 02 Apr 2006 05:37:25 -0400, Cliff wrote:
Citing statistics indicating a problem and immediately blaming a
political party for the problem is an excellent example of
unwillingness to address a problem and deal with it effectively.

Even when, as in this case, the political party in questin is,
indeed, a big chunk of (No, not the root cause, just a big chunk) of
the problem being addressed?

Don,
There isn't a political party on the planet that can influence a child, for
better or worse, the way a parent can.
Blaming schools for poor product is a parental cop out.

To a point, true. However, when the party, whoever it happens to be,
cuts funding in such a way that teaching the child *CAN'T* be done due
to lack of insert one or more of a regular laundry list of items that
are, if not absolutely essential for teaching, at least make the task
much easier, that does count as a pretty significant negative influence
- At least by my standards...

When was the last time any administration CUT any funding for
education?

Never

Gunner

Does a school board count as an administration?

http://www.abcnewspapers.com/2002/bl.../28budget.html

I think these folks do a heroically good job with what they have to
work with. The deficits spoken of weren't due to mismanagement, but
due to State cuts that couldn't be adjusted to instantly.

My several kids got decent educations in District 16 schools. Not
"preppy", but they were all able to continue their educations post
highschool as far as they wanted to, to levels varying from
business school (as in office worker) to PhD.

It is not an "upscale" area by any means. The typical residence in
district 16 is a 3-bedroom rambler 30 to 50 years old.
There are two (pretty nice) trailer parks, no palaces. Just regular
folks having a rather diverse range of occupations: hourly workers,
skilled trades, engineers, small businessmen, teachers of course,
health care workers, a first chair in the Mn Orchestra, and so on.

The people of this district don't do any yowling and soapbox squalling
of labels like "neocon", "liberal", yada yada. They express
themselves quietly but effectively at the ballotbox.