A Response to Tonight's Presidential Debate

Overseas markets are tanking as I write this. Tomorrow’s Wall Street performance will be bleak, once again.

My friends, what the federal government is doing with this “bailout” is likened to a consumer who is way over their head in consumer debt, so he decides to “pay off” his credit card bill by taking a cash advance from another credit card. Instead of paying off that balance, he continues to spend carelessly, oh, there might be a necessary item here and there, like gas or groceries, but most of it is frivolous. The card gets maxed out. What to do? “Pay it off” with yet another card.

What’s the remedy for this poor guy? Stop spending! Put his earnings towards his debt, and then towards savings. Why is it that we “unqualified to be president” people have it figured out, but the big wigs in Washington & our own state capitol seem intent upon spending money on needless programs?

Onto the debate that was held earlier tonight. Moriah rushed off to her room to listen to it on the radio. She became angry during many parts of it. I see a future filled with anger towards elected officials, unfortunately.

My blood pressure was 120/80 until the portion about education. The question began something like this: America spends the most per capita on its pupils, yet fails to be the highest achievers in the world. What would you do to fix that?

Of course, Obama said a combination of more money and reform. Higher pay for qualified teachers in exchange for higher accountability. Make college more affordable. $4000 tuition credit in exchange for community service, which might include military service (last I checked, there was something called the GI bill that already does this). Both he and McCain were for charter schools, while McCain mainly harped on Charter schools.

First, when we compare nation to nation, the statistics are skewed. We are the only nation who guarantees a free education to every child. Therefore, students are tested and it’s the TIMMS test in 8th and 11th grade – not the ITBS. Every district has a random number of students take it – it’s completely random, so you have special ed students, high scoring students, and students of many different achievement levels taking this test, which is used to compare internationally. When we compare our students to, say, Japan’s or Germany’s, we are comparing our scores against the scores of their best and brightest. Because, you see, their education system tracks children from about the age 9 into the areas of strength those students show. If you have an exceptionally bright 3rd grader who shows aptitude in science and math, then they will likely follow a more scientific/mathematical approach to schooling, and follow a university course. A child who is average across the board will likely follow a vocational path, learning core subjects, but eventually by 10th or 11th grade be tracked into vocational type subjects/courses that will give them a trade when they finish school. Guess why we don’t always come out on top of those tests? If we took the best and brightest of our students and compared them internationally, I am certain we’d be at the top. We have the best high schools with the most opportunities in the world.
Next, more money equals better education? How much is enough? Some districts are receiving more than $6000 per student. Why not $10,000? Why not $50,000? How much is enough to truly educate all children and turn out the smartest students in the world?

Money is not the answer to our educational woes. A transformation of our system is truly needed, but that does not mean we need to throw more money away. When Obama says more money is needed, and teachers need more, where is that money going to come from? If he mandates each state needs to raise teacher pay, who pays? Have you checked your property tax bill lately? Have you purchased something at Walmart lately and really looked at the receipt? How many more 1 cents can we afford?

Again, let’s try this the old fashioned way: A nickel saved is a nickel earned.*

*(Inflation, if you’re wondering why I misquoted it)

To see some sample 8th grade TIMMS questions, check out this link:
http://www.edinformatics.com/timss/pop2/mpop2.htm?submit324=Grade+7%2C8++Math+Test