tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.comments2022-02-26T08:58:41.550-08:00My Public EducationSabine da Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048016738767741058noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-17148861594153356722010-06-10T12:08:20.467-07:002010-06-10T12:08:20.467-07:00Treme isn't a remake of The Wire; it's mil...<i>Treme</i> isn't a remake of <i>The Wire</i>; it's milieu is the NOLA music community. Terrific music and excellent character development. I hope you give it a chance.<br /><br />"we have to remember that Bill Clinton forced the banks to give loans to people who would never have otherwise qualified"<br /><br />Clinton and Bush both had policies of increasing home ownership. But the majority of the holdings of Freddie and Fannie were in traditional conforming mortgages. Regulations limited the extent to which either could purchase subprime mortgages, which were the major contributor to the housing bubble's growth and bursting.<br /><br />As such Fannie and Freddie had little to do with the collapse of the financial markets, which created a housing bubble built around derivatives, credit swaps, junk bonds, and bundling of unsecured subprime mortgages. <br /><br />Freddie and Fannie are not guilt-free and had no business getting into junk bonds or subprimes at akk, but they hardly created the bubble and had little or no impact on the burst. But in terms of impact on the Wall St collapse, they were a sideshow. Wall St practices and the complicity of the federal government in abdicating its regulatory responsibilities caused the collapse.K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10222703055177237209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-76080403328895408172010-06-02T17:10:39.542-07:002010-06-02T17:10:39.542-07:00Unethical people both in the private sector and in...Unethical people both in the private sector and in government create most of the problems suffered by society. The trouble is that government, in its supposed desire to be fair, causes as much harm to the innocent as to the guilty. As citizens, we can ultimately CHOOSE who we do business with, but we are FORCED to honor government controls, no matter how counter-productive. Jefferson said it best when he told us that "He governs best, who governs least." (Or something like that.)Gorges Smythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08777621500611603786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-55035408332781789502010-06-01T08:39:40.922-07:002010-06-01T08:39:40.922-07:00@Gorges Interesting first point. Not sure I agree ...@Gorges Interesting first point. Not sure I agree with the second. Does gov't regulation ruin business or do high risk taking, sometimes unethical individuals/companies who quickly learn how to get around that system? To quote you: "Folks with money or imagination will always find some way to beat the system." I don't think gov't has done a great job of staying one step ahead of these people.Sabine da Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05048016738767741058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-19533916193871373372010-06-01T03:17:23.102-07:002010-06-01T03:17:23.102-07:00Hmm, I have a lot to say about school finance, I d...Hmm, I have a lot to say about school finance, I don't really know much about the primary and secundary school finance, but I know college finance in Europe, and let me tell you; it s*cks....Moonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14246325513617045393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-85384494675204546842010-06-01T01:39:49.748-07:002010-06-01T01:39:49.748-07:00"...tolerance for crime based on greed is a l..."...tolerance for crime based on greed is a lot higher than for crime driven by survival."<br /><br />I've seen the same attitude even in churches. Look at how the Kennedy's are worshipped; when the reality is that "Old Joe" was merely a cohort of people like Al Capone, but who never got caught. You know the old saying, "Nothing succeeds like success!"<br /><br />Also, when it comes to banking and real estate, we have to remember that Bill Clinton forced the banks to give loans to people who would never have otherwise qualified, in the name of "equality." The results should have been expected; government ultimately ruins any business that it tries to control.Gorges Smythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08777621500611603786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-18967251011171191852010-05-31T22:48:55.705-07:002010-05-31T22:48:55.705-07:00@velvet sea That's quite a first day!!!!
@Bel...@velvet sea That's quite a first day!!!!<br /><br />@Belladonna The image of 27 five year olds in snow clothes made me smile.Sabine da Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05048016738767741058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-63827250260501542792010-05-30T14:43:43.072-07:002010-05-30T14:43:43.072-07:00Nice blog.Nice blog.Ellie Greathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03801920885701699849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-84415808853010028992010-05-27T17:01:02.667-07:002010-05-27T17:01:02.667-07:00@ SR Thanks so much!
@ Bartacus Will have to cont...@ SR Thanks so much!<br /><br />@ Bartacus Will have to continue the discussion : )<br /><br />@ Tammy Those are great examples of random decision making and social capital!Sabine da Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05048016738767741058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-17613300613549851472010-05-25T22:05:03.929-07:002010-05-25T22:05:03.929-07:00A very simple, trivial example of finance: A kinde...A very simple, trivial example of finance: A kindergarten mother attends a PTA meeting to receive her room's party money for the entire year. She opens the envelope and finds $15. The mother next to her opens hers and finds $7. Another mother opens hers and finds $60. She wonders how little and how much the other envelopes contain. All the rooms have similar class sizes. This has been going on for years; no one speaks up until this crazy, lunatic mother shouts out for change. Those room mothers receiving minimal amounts are given a bit more and after several meetings, it is decided that in future years, all party money collected within the school will be distributed equally among the classes. <br /><br />She wonders why the afternoon kindergarten classes are almost 50% ESL while the morning classes have none. She lobbies for the afternoon classes to receive more help. Three months into the school year a para is hired and will divide her time between the two kindergarten rooms all day long. She would have preferred two part-time paras for the afternoon classes.Tammy Freiborghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13283154194382804424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-33103353383770016622010-05-25T20:07:31.244-07:002010-05-25T20:07:31.244-07:00Hm. Thanks for taking the to spell that out, Sabin...Hm. Thanks for taking the to spell that out, Sabine. That's part of my question. The real heart of the matter is this: If a school gets more money per student, does that mean the students automatically perform better academically? That is, has it been your experience that the richer the tax base (or wherever the funding comes from), the better the educational outcomes? This might be a "no duh" question to some, but it's amazingly difficult to obtain anything but anecdotal answers--perhaps it's that way because of the funding mechanisms, perhaps it's purposeful (e.g., school administrators not wanting people to know how the money is spent or what the actual impact of money per student is). When you find the time, your thoughts, as always, are appreciated.<br /><br />And I second what "Southern Reflections" said: this is a very enjoyable blog to read!<br /><br />/bBarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01956864183240824354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-3542743172247416322010-05-25T18:07:19.083-07:002010-05-25T18:07:19.083-07:00Hey!!! I truly enjoy reading your blog!! I wanted...Hey!!! I truly enjoy reading your blog!! I wanted to let you know you were awarded on my blog!! :-DSouthern Reflexionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11771650636354634139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-21289631474081582912010-05-24T21:57:25.300-07:002010-05-24T21:57:25.300-07:00I can say that sharing your experience with the ot...I can say that sharing your experience with the other people will help lot of people to learn some thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-87147311925752531012010-05-24T21:21:54.862-07:002010-05-24T21:21:54.862-07:00I have found this blog interesting as I went to sc...I have found this blog interesting as I went to school in the USA in 1958 only for half a year otherwise I did home schooling or correspondence school from New Zealand we lived in America for quite a few years.Robyn Berry-Luke blogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06185977716295722909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-79506482589304046302010-05-23T21:10:58.106-07:002010-05-23T21:10:58.106-07:00Thank you Paul and welcome. I look forward to hear...Thank you Paul and welcome. I look forward to hearing more about your school and your teaching experiences. Thank you for sharing the link.Sabine da Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05048016738767741058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-85821133259073285722010-05-23T10:48:43.071-07:002010-05-23T10:48:43.071-07:00I've usually taught college, not kids. But th...I've usually taught college, not kids. But there was one period where circumstances of a cross country move mid semester left me jobless for a while so I covered my costs by doing some substitute teaching. I did kindergarten, first, third, fifth and eighth grades. I liked the little ones except that I miscalculated how much time was required to get 27 five year olds in and out of their snow pants at recess. (This was in Michigan.) I blew reading time completely with all those buckles and belts.Belladonnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13704410443745252997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-48955559526726335792010-05-21T08:00:39.432-07:002010-05-21T08:00:39.432-07:00@Crystal Mary. Awwww! Thank you! Hugs right back a...@Crystal Mary. Awwww! Thank you! Hugs right back at you!<br /><br />@ Gorges. Yup. We all got pretty creative those days in order to get the job done. I never thought of the Title One teacher as a bureaucrat, but it makes sense now that you mention it.Sabine da Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05048016738767741058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-29103646396626280422010-05-21T07:55:19.466-07:002010-05-21T07:55:19.466-07:00@ Bartacus School finance is complicated (I don...@ Bartacus School finance is complicated (I don't understand it completely myself) and fascinating. CA is currently being sued for what is perceived as an unconstitutional school finance system. I'll share more about the suit and general experiences next time. Thank you for the great question!Sabine da Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05048016738767741058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-64521763758721448372010-05-20T17:22:08.713-07:002010-05-20T17:22:08.713-07:00Your "Title One" teacher sounds like a t...Your "Title One" teacher sounds like a typical bureaucrat protecting her turf while being answerable to no one (bureaucrats aren't). As for the resourcefulness of your students and parents, very little can hold back those who WANT to learn, especially those that have a caring teacher.Gorges Smythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08777621500611603786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-25135602076236866852010-05-20T13:30:46.278-07:002010-05-20T13:30:46.278-07:00You are a very caring teacher...and, very clever t...You are a very caring teacher...and, very clever to re-use books. The studnets must have felt so proud to see their names on the donated placard...Well done...<br />I wish I could personally hug you. My heart does swell with love towards you. Hug OOSr Crystal Mary Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03509227559164880311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-87433179528013638832010-05-20T10:49:52.316-07:002010-05-20T10:49:52.316-07:00Sabine:
One comment I hear a lot is that poorly p...Sabine:<br /><br />One comment I hear a lot is that poorly performing schools are simply the result of poor funding, with the amount of money spent per student (out of the local tax base) correlating directly to student performance. Has that been your experience?<br /><br />/bBarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01956864183240824354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-28904795534083090592010-05-20T10:44:52.487-07:002010-05-20T10:44:52.487-07:00Dear Sabina da Silva
This Blog shows great inteli...Dear Sabina da Silva<br /><br />This Blog shows great inteligence, love and writng skills beyond presumed age . I would love to follow your blog although I do not have resources to follow you closely at this moment. As the situation permits we will have some deep discussions which will allow deeper issues to surface.<br /><br />I live in Palenque Chiapas now. It is perhaps the center of Mayan Meso American culture. There are hundreds pyramids here alone and there are uncountable pyramid sites in Meso America. This is a wonderful hub to begin exploring Tropics of Latin America and its endless rivers and waterfalls. I teach English as second language and Internet free of service where ever possible. J Krishnamurti wrote in introduction to Science of Education some very important points for us to investigate and explore true meaning of education and significance of living see http://www.jkrishnamurti.org/krishnamurti-teachings/index.php <br />"we choose because we don´t know if we know as clear as the cobra few steps infront of you then you do not need to choose, the action is immediate.<br /><br />Love Paulenlapazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09566921156804730009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-28853122981925415202010-05-20T09:43:01.662-07:002010-05-20T09:43:01.662-07:00@ CM You bring up a good point about students with...@ CM You bring up a good point about students with special needs and testing/early intervention. <br /><br />@Moon The blog is not private, but I do use a pen name. I also change the names of the people who I write about and I don't give their exact location. I have not shared the link to the blog with many people from my personal network. As for the super, I don't work for his district (I came to him from an outside organization).Sabine da Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05048016738767741058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-17277264208258542032010-05-19T23:57:29.081-07:002010-05-19T23:57:29.081-07:00Again, love your blog, but I'm still wondering...Again, love your blog, but I'm still wondering: is your blog private? Meaning: does the super read it too? :D If so; what do the subjects of your stories think of it? Or don't they know this is your blog?Moonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14246325513617045393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-6899725017918506962010-05-19T23:47:11.890-07:002010-05-19T23:47:11.890-07:00Its a bit different in Australia but I do agree wi...Its a bit different in Australia but I do agree with GEORGES. Poor performing schools can be a reflection of the leadership. <br />Another thing is, some children have learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyspraxia etc) and need screening. Many children are very smart at hidding learning problemsSr Crystal Mary Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03509227559164880311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7039733351133043001.post-79889381527582760122010-05-19T18:46:13.742-07:002010-05-19T18:46:13.742-07:00@all Well said!
@Christy Thanks for the tip. I...@all Well said!<br /><br />@Christy Thanks for the tip. I'll check out your friend's blog.Sabine da Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05048016738767741058noreply@blogger.com