Hi Charles,
CB>Two interesting quotes from a speech made by Thomas Hobart, President of
  >the New York State United Teachers at the union's annual Representative
  >Assembly on 2/29/96.
CB>    "The political outlook in Albany remains bleak.  The executive
  >budget calls for cuts and/or cost shifts amounting to a reduction in
  >state support for K-12 schools of more than $400 million.  Similarly,
  >higher education is slated for yet another cut, which, with tuition
  >increases, would further reduce college access for our young people.
This sounds like the sound kind of garbage that is going on in the
Province of Ontario. The Minister of Education (a high school drop out
by the way with no educational training) wants to cut our funding by the
same amount and that is just the beginning. I believe he wants to add or
should I say take away another $400 million next year. Funding for
Junior kindergarten (Pre-K) to you has been taken away as well as the
demolishing of our  "gr 13" - which was just an extra year to accomplish
all the upper level courses needed to graduate...it's almost impossible
to do them all in grade 12.
All This in spite of a huge research study and recommendation done
previously saying we should increase our early childhood education - all
boards having J.K. and even full day programs.  This was all
concentrating on early prevention of learning problems which in the long
run would save money. Unfortunately, this current government likes the
band aid approach and ignores long term consequences. Educators here are
becoming more and more concerned with the situation. If worse comes to
worse there could even be a province wide strike. :(
CB>Some say, if schools were run like small businesses, they would save
  >money and educate students better.  But small businesses fail at the
  >rate of 50% a year.  Do we really want our schools to be run like small
  >businesses?  Can we afford that kind of failure rate for our kids?
I love this - it's all too true! I should print your letter out and
quote it on my board's BBS.With permission of course.
                                                -Ruth
CB>Chuck Beams
  >Fidonet - 1:2608/70
  >cbeams@future.dreamscape.com
  >___
  >* UniQWK #5290* A fool and his money are my best friends.
CB>--- Maximus 2.01wb
CB>
en
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