No, it’s not that so many realized they failed-in fact not one student of mine left failing. Was the problem me? No, not by the appearance of every classroom I peered into and those I continue to gauge. No, not by the comments made by other professors. “It’s just what happens at this point,” stated a colleague.

Of course, I know this, having been through it for years, but for some reason it really struck me as tragic. Perhaps its the consecutive semesters that it has happened with no solution in sight.

What has happened is something I wrote about as the Indianapolis Colt’s football team approached the playoffs last season.

There were countless reasons why the students I had stopped showing up. They sometimes would tell me what happened–car problems, jail, too much on their plate. Sometimes they were just there to collect the financial-aid refund check and never come back. They didn’t play to win. Something in their management team said it wasn’t important to pass the class–to win.

While some safeguards have been put in place, I cannot say it’s enough. Many of my students brag when their financial aid refund checks are deposited that they are getting $7-8 THOUSAND dollars, mostly in Pell and other grants, and know they don’t need to show up for the rest of the semester. They get their check and they are gone. This has to be, by far, the worst semester I have ever seen.

The cost of not only college tuition and books is considered when financial aid is determined, but also the cost of living. Students are not required to show receipts for any expense. Once the money is deposited to them, they have no accountability. Students brag about the $4,000 laptop they bought and Disney vacations.

Study upon scholarly study talks about retention rates. They discuss ‘drop-outs’ but don’t want to talk about Higher Education’s dirty-little-secret. They don’t want to discuss going to school just for the money. College Boards and focus groups discuss merits of ‘opportunity for all’ and the all-time ‘high’ numbers of college degree awardees. There is a stark difference between students who don’t come back for their sophomore year, and those who show up for the first day of class to collect their check. And what college wants to release that information?

I could go into details, show you the statistics along racial and poverty lines, but (heaven forbid) I appear to be politically incorrect. I am sure union thugs would show up at my doorstep demanding a retraction.

Yes, in the long run, it may cost students–but it is ultimately affecting us, the taxpaying citizen, who foots the bill for the ‘opportunity’. I would like to see the statistics on student loan repayment. I tend to believe it is nearly as large as the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Collecting that debt is costly and not nearly as successful as the former.

Not only is public education policy at the state and local level bankrupting America, but the higher education level as well.

I had to drive around our state yesterday, on business and family matters, and didn’t have any significant plans to commemorate the ugly anniversary. In fact, I made it a point to NOT watch the towers fall again on TV, nor listen to the speeches that countless others were making.

Other than in hopes the day would go less painful for those who lost loved ones, I didn’t really wish to be involved.

And then, as I was driving the second leg of my long trip, near Chicago, I saw something I noticed early in the morning on the other side of the state. I had brushed it off to the morning blur. And then I saw it again, and again, and again over the next 12 hours in all weather in every county.

Men were holding flags on overpass bridges on the highways.

I saw firemen, policemen, military men, and individuals who stood at the center post, holding solitary flags.

I saw lines and small groups of people, spaced in prominence..at a solemn stance with the flag in their arms.

No speeches, no music, no promises, just a stance with a symbol that reminded me how lucky I was to be able to choose my path.

So, the day AFTER September 11, my mind is emblazoned with the images from individuals who made a choice to silently remind us of why we can go on with our day and do our business and be with those we love.

The day AFTER September 11, I prayed.

In Indiana’s 3rd congressional district there is still unemployment, a sagging economy, and angst against government.

They are having a tough time at work. Maybe their lawnmower broke again. Maybe they can’t fill up their tank again until payday. They just got yelled at, again, for leaving their socks on the floor.

A little ‘boost’ to their ego seems to be the ticket out of their duldrum. Maybe this is everything they have ever wanted?

And the affair begins.

A friendly glance comes their way. A shiny smile…. A glance from the (awkwardly true) used car salesman, Bob Thomas. He drives a nice car, after all, his collector cars alone total almost 50. He has a big $3.4 million house (albeit in Indianapolis). He promises the world. He looks like just the man for the ticket. He agrees with you that you deserve everything you want.

Afterall, he looks like everything you have ever wanted. He says all the right things. He will spend his money and make you feel like you are the center of the world.

Then you take him home to Mother on election day. He dances about Israel awkwardly, has nothing to talk about because he doesn’t know who is the local rotary, and has to dash off to a mysterious meeting in Indianapolis.

You wait with baited breath for signs he will come back and have those picnics he promised and kiss babies at the local fair.

You can’t get ahold of him for days, weeks, months–he has a life somewhere else, but you always knew that.

You realize you are traveling to some other town just to get a glimpse at him during a town hall meeting. You know he won’t be at your church Sunday morning.

When the reality sets in, what you wanted, isn’t what you thought it was worth.

What usually comes of an affair? The shine wears off. You discover what happens when they take the make up off. You realize everyone leaves socks on the floor.

Go back home to what you know. Maybe he isn’t perfect. But he will be there when you ask to be. He will be at church on Sunday morning, and you can always find him at the picnic. He is from your town.

The grass will always be greener over Bob Thomas’ septic tank.

How did it get this bad?

Festering disease catches up with you. Whether it be  in a relationship, your own health, or budget deficits–if you don’t pay attention to the problem you end up with gangrene.

Governmental waste and the habit of ignoring problems have become too typical of  governmental leadership by unqualified, hyped-politicians who were elected because of momentum and not because of substance. We are now seeing the effects of allowing overspending to maturate.

In today’s New York Times article , discussing the Kansas City School system’s decision to close over 2 dozen schools, they cite the growing problem of ignoring the money issue in government:

The sudden move suggests a depth of dysfunction here that is rarely associated with Kansas City, a lively heartland town with a reputation for order. But a closer look at the school board’s recent history reveals a chaotic, almost nonfunctioning body that put off making tough choices and even routine improvements for generations. Experts said that in the board’s years of inaction is a cautionary tale for school districts everywhere.

Where is government oversight? With the people. It should have been. It should be.

“This is extraordinary,” said Jack Jennings, president of the Center on Education Policy, a research group in Washington. “The school board was dysfunctional for years. There was very poor governance for a long period of time, and it was like a revolving door with superintendents.”

In Fort Wayne, Indiana, just a couple of schools face this dilemma. Elmhurst High School in Fort Wayne facing closure due to budgetary constraints on the district.  With all of it’s failings, at least the Fort Wayne Community Schools is addressing a problem before more than a couple have to be dismantled.

Detroit’s blight can be blamed on the same disease…Gangrene Government.

How do you fix gangrene?

Urgent evaluation and treatment. In general, dead tissue should be removed to allow healing of the surrounding living tissue and prevent further infection. Depending on the area that has the gangrene, the person’s overall condition, and the cause of the gangrene, treatment may include:

• Amputating the body part that has gangrene (get rid of the board responsible for overspending)
• An emergency operation to find and remove dead tissue (budget cuts)
• An operation to improve blood supply to the area (new plan of action)
• Repeated operations to remove dead tissue (debridement) (don’t let go of the problem)
• Treatment in the intensive care unit (for severely ill patients) (prosecute)

This is one disease Indiana State Government is not in danger of having, so long as they stay fiscally conservative and continue with attention to details of the budget constraints. The Democrats in Washington should pay attention to our scenario instead of coming up with more massive gangrene spending.

In an Op-Ed piece for the Wall Street Journal today, Daniels illustrates how the free market is supposed to work–yes, even in healthcare. Seems like a simple idea; one which should be easy to implement, but probably won’t because it takes control of the almighty dollar away from the government.

When given the choice, a staggering 70% of Indiana State employees chose to determine their own destiny. Imagine that.

The HSA option has proven highly popular. This year, over 70% of our 30,000 Indiana state workers chose it, by far the highest in public-sector America. Due to the rejection of these plans by government unions, the average use of HSAs in the public sector across the country is just 2%.

Not only are employees determining where their dollar goes, but it is good for the state:

The state is saving, too. In a time of severe budgetary stress, Indiana will save at least $20 million in 2010 because of our high HSA enrollment. Mercer calculates the state’s total costs are being reduced by 11% solely due to the HSA option.

Daniels goes on to say how people who use their own money, cut costs and do not cause a detriment to their own health. What a concept. Free market, control of your own money, and what do you get?…. A positive outcome.

As the healthcare debate continues to drag on, with intentions of ‘bettering America’, one thing becomes clear: Self determination of individual dollars is the only thing that shows promising signs of success.

Kudos to Daniels who champions the individual.

(For more reading on HSA’s and positive healthcare reform, check this interesting article from Dr. Robert E. Moffit, Director of the Center for Healthcare Studies at the Heritage Foundation)

They belly-up and the first one says, “I’m Marlin Stutzman and I’m running for Senate, give me a drink.”

The second one says “”I’m John Hostettler and I’m running for Senate, give me a drink”

The third one says “Hmm.. I’m Dan coats and people tell me that sounds like a good idea. Me, too.”

In the next seat was the RNSC representative. “Great, so it’s official!”

Cross posted excerpt from a guest writer post at AWB:

All the talk about improving schools getting federal Obama money has brought to the forefront the idea of “What makes a good school?” Is it changing for change-sake?

Fort Wayne Community Schools thinksmoving people around is a big part of the answer, apparently. A principal from the South Side would be better for the North Side–a shake-up for the good-of-the-student is a big portion of their plan. I have yet to understand their full rational at this point. I do like the idea of different job duties for assistant principals than in the past, but still have a lot of questions.

Finding the right teacher is more important. Good teachers, the BEST teachers, need to have fire in their belly.

For the rest of the article click here.

Should we hold 3rd graders back because they don’t pass a reading test? I have another idea…

Senate Bill 258 is being debated by our lawmakers would hold third graders back if they don’t pass the ISTEP reading test.

I can see some sense in this, but at the same time, I think students should be remediated while still in their same age group. In the high schools, students who don’t pass the end-of-course assessments keep moving up with their peers, but they repeat the one course and have remediation in the one subject. There is a mix of age groups in most classes–based on the level of need.

For the rest of the story, visit here.

I sat very still in the stiff-back chairs at the Social Security Office yesterday. Near silence entombed the room. I held my machine-issued piece of paper with some number on it and waited.

Occasionally a door squeak would startle those around me and we would turn, in unison, towards the rush of cold air that came at us, as though it were a welcome sign of life.

I don’t think most of us wanted to drift into the low mumble of conversation of private-lives and complaints that were just a few feet away from us. I played some mind-numb game on my cell phone. I watched the security guard occasionally thinking he may throw a fit because many signs were posted warning to turn all cell-phones off. Fortunately, he was too busy on the phone with a bank, trying to find the best deal for debit cards. (The one conversation I couldn’t help but overhear.)

After 10 minutes, my eyes wandered to the people around me. A young couple with a toddler and baby in-tow…Two older couples…. One elderly lady with knee socks and shorts on in the dead of winter… And then a very older gentleman with a stack of paper.

A number was called, then another a few minutes later. There we sat like cows, penned and no where to go except back out to pasture.

The elderly man, sitting just a few chairs away began to fumble his papers. He started to speak a couple times to people around him, but it appeared he wasn’t sure what to say.

The man with the toddler finally asked him “Do you need help?” A collective sigh of relief fell over our herd. Finally something to do. We turned and watched.

The man still didn’t have his thoughts as to what it was he was going to say, just held his piece of paper out towards the man.

“Oh, what’s your number?” he asked. The man stared at the paper and closed his mouth.

“It looks like the machine didn’t print anything on it. Let me see if I can help.”

The younger man approached the security guard, still entranced with his banker, who simply pointed him towards the ladies behind the plexi-glass counters.

Trying to explain the situation, he was interrupted by the lady began to repeat her all-to-often-used phrase

“What’s your number?”

Within seconds, she had a startled look on her face and said

“That just doesn’t happen.” Workers began to rush to the window and the machine.

By deduction, we ‘cows’ deduced he must have come in about 6 people before me. We assured him we would get him to the line.

15 long minutes later, the younger man turned to him and said

“It’s your turn.”

We watched him make his way to the worker.

“What’s your number?” she asked.

The man put his paper thru the window.

She stared at him, beginning to speak and he cocked his head ever-s0-slightly.

“What can I help you with?”

And his story began.

“I had surgery, ya see, and my doctor said I can’t work anymore, ” he stated.

“What’s your social security number, sir?” she asked.

“Why would I tell you that?” was his simple reply.

“Sir, how old are you?”

“Ma’am, I am 84 years old.”

“Are you retired?”

“I don’t want to be, but, you see, I had surgery on my neck. The doctor said I should come tell you this so I could be on disability.”

“Do you get Social Security?”

“I get a little something. Yes.”

“Well, sir, you can’t get both. You need to make up your mind if you are going to get one or the other.”

And he stood in silence for about a minute, looking at his papers.

Without another sound, he turned and looked at the chairs–staring at each of us–we were glued to the conversation.

Then he slowly made his way back out to pasture. And we watched the cool wind escort him back out.

The room went back to it’s own silence. My number was called and I went to the plex-glass.

I suppose he may come back another day. Perhaps not. Perhaps he may go back to work. Perhaps not.

Perhaps he may just go back home and make a sandwich and wait for his next doctors appointment.

I can’t wait for Government-run healthcare.

The latest news regarding a shake-up in Fort Wayne Community Schools must have the teacher’s unions scrambling for a response.

Without a press release on the website of FWCS, news leaked out that personnel in 11 schools within the city’s system would have to reapply for their jobs. All this with hopes of gaining money in a new competition labeled “Race to the Top“. Word is that no more than 50 percent of the staff can remain at the same building..coming from the State Department of Education. Of course, district officials will contest.

Years ago this was known as a shake-down. If schools didn’t improve their test-scores, the State of Indiana held over their heads that they could come in and take over a school. Â Somehow, like the threat of taking a teenager’s car keys away, this kept some schools in line.

Don’t get me wrong. I think it is a grand idea. The problem lies within the unions who have long fought for tenure-without-regard-to-performance just to keep teachers because they had stayed on the job.

I can see the unions fighting to keep the teachers in jobs. They perpetuate the entitlement atmosphere.

I teach in a college where evaluations are EVERYTHING. Â If my students are upset and I have a high incidence of students who fail, I will lose my job. This is no different than in most workplaces. If you don’t get a job done, they find someone who will.

One good thing Wendy Robinson finally said was “there is no option not to do nothing” (no credit to her English teacher, by the way).

My prediction is this will be short-lived, just to meet a January deadline. I hope I am wrong and the students will benefit by getting fresh ideas, fresh blood, and people in positions who truly care AND GET RESULTS.

Obviously, something has to change.