"Education Reform" in Indiana

Mr. Elder speaks out against Daniels's education agenda.
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Teacher-Speaks-Out-Against-State-Education-Agenda-115772839.html

Seriously, I'm almost embarrassed to live in Indiana at times when Gov Daniels proposes education reform. His and the State Superintendent's educational reforms are some of the worst ideas I've heard, especially after you think about it for a while. Seriously, how does basing teacher's pay on standardized tests help students? You might say that the teachers would be more motivated to teach their students, but the problem is, that won't make a difference. Some students just don't want to learn, and there is nothing teachers can do to help them. Basing a teacher's pay on this is ridiculous. Another problem is the fact that not all teachers teach classes that are subjected to standardized tests, so there is no fair way to include them in this scheme. State standards for education are important; I agree we need to have some kind of standards. But these "one size fits all" solutions aren't that at all; they only fit some districts. By giving back local control to our schools, each district will be free to implement the solutions and reform that will help their students most. Ever since Daniels has entered office, he has implemented one screwup law after another that has led to a decrease in the quality of our education. From funding formulas based on free and reduced lunch counts to these new proposals, from a first-hand perspective, I can say that the quality of my education certainly has not gone up, if anything, it has gone down, due to all the budget cuts that we have had to make. Unfortunately, his departure from office will come too late to help me, but maybe future students and teachers will have a governor who puts education first and understands what helpful education reform is, like Frank O'Bannon. I can't wait to hear Daniels's response to Mr. Elder's email.

Remember, you're not my man Mitch!

Snow days!

How about those snow days? Its been nice having a weekend in the middle of the week, even if its going to mess up my summer later on. I guess I'll appreciate these days now though, heck, another one tomorrow would be nice, I've procrastinated so much stuff that there is no way I'll get it all done if we have school. Take a look at this video on gawker, that would be downright scary to get stuck in something like that! We talk about the snow we got, but they had nearly double that with gale-force winds in Chicago! Snow drifts covering cars, buses, trains, completely shutting down the city. We should be thankfully we didn't have anything like that. And for the first time in 12 years, Chicago Public Schools closed. Wow. That says something right there. I can't imagine going for twelve years without a snow day. Well, I should probably finish this S&W reduction (seriously don't need somebody to tell me not to break sentences in two), so see ya! (Or not, as the case may be.)

Senioritis -> Sanity

Why did the scheduling computer have to stick me in two english classes this semester? And more importantly, why does everybody have to assign stuff to be due the day after I have my busiest night of the week? Senioritis is the only thing saving my sanity right now.

Comp Response #3: Hooked

This essay "hooked" me immediately with its captivating description of the author waiting to outwit a fish. He begins with stating that “for my entire life I have lived in the same neighborhood,” showing his lack of knowledge of the world around him. His exploring of his neighborhood and the surrounding area creates a mood of anticipation. He continues to lead us on, going through his first catch in the old pond and his growing attraction, almost an addiction, to fishing. He then shows us how his love for fishing grows, purchasing more and more equipment and traveling to lakes all over North America. He then becomes a bit nostalgic, remembering a small row boat he used when he was eight. He throws a curveball when he reveals that his equipment was stolen from the boathouse, yet he perseveres through it and begins again, ever motivated by his love of fishing.

Comp Response #2: Painting with Neil

The vivid descriptions of Neil’s face and dialog in “Painting with Neil” illustrate Neil's sensationalistic impatience. The essay starts off grabbing my attention with the revelation that he already has a frown on his face. His complaints about something as simple as a hot dog show how he is impatient and makes a big deal out of nothing. His drastic change in mood after Homestead ties up the game shows how he is inconsistent and prone to rapid changes in personality. He gets excited when Homestead essentially wins the game, but goes quiet and calm for the rest of the game, showing yet another one of his moods. His rage over the simple issue of a group of people taking his spot at the fence again shows his sensationalistic personality. He “shoots…down” the idea of a movie, emphasizing his irritated mood. He gives up on the game towards the end and decides to go home, which shows his defeated personality. This essay does a good job of describing his various moods that Neil has during the game by describing his face and actions.

Block scheduling?

I just spent 3 hours watching TV and working on this project, eventually it will go through each digit of my birthday on the little display in the corner. Its times like these that I think block scheduling would be really nice; I can get a lot more done if I don't have to stop every 47 minutes, which really ends up more like 35 since classes never start or end right at the bell.

Well, I'm only halfway done, I still have 3 more segments to wire, but I need to sleep, major interview day coming up tomorrow at Ohio Northern, massive scholarships are up for grabs and this might make or break ONU as an option.

Coolest Tent Ever!

Wow! This is one of the coolest tents I have ever seen. You use an air pump to fill up the inflatable frame, which holds up the rest of the tent, no assembly required. I could definitely see myself using one of these. Sure beats the tent I have now...

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5730557/this-tent-stands-up-without-poles

Snow day!

Well, we had a snow day yesterday, which was pretty awesome. I spent most of my day sleeping, but after getting up, since I had no homework, I spent the whole afternoon building and programming a pretty amazing wall-following robot. It won the competition at last night's robotics meeting, so I won a sumo bot kit for the Science Central competition next month. This thing is small and fast!

Comp Response #1: Sentimental Absence in "Ground Zero"

Berne’s essay underscores the idea of sentimental absence at ground zero. She begins in the first paragraph by describing the “cold, damp March morning” and the “raw wind and spits of rain,” creating an image of a cold, rather dismal and depressing day. She also describes all of the people, coming from all walks of life, looking “where there was nothing to see.” This depressing and lonely picture helps emphasize the feeling of absence at the site. The sentimentality comes in on the next page, as she describes how it transforms into the aftermath of the tragedy and the cemetery appears, with all the memorials to those lost in the attack. It really hits home when the elderly man says to his son “‘I watched those towers being built. I saw this place when they weren’t there.’” After the author witnesses the honor guard carrying the remains to the ambulance, she goes back down to the site, where the absence is starting to be filled by all those who come to see the site. The author’s use of description emphasizes the sentimental absence surrounding ground zero.

I liked the vivid descriptions of the people and the images; it really helped make me understand the piece. The most effective description was, in my opinion, the images from television and newspaper of “the black plume of smoke against a bright blue sky.” I remember watching the TV at home that evening and seeing those images, but not quite understanding the enormity of what happened.

First Post!

Being new to blogging and all, I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with this yet, but I'm probably going to use this to share technology news and cool stuff I find on the web. (And of course, comp assignments!)