Not to knock all you hard working public educators down in VA (Hi Rich), but just to "one up" you.... A new poll came out from Education Week's "Quality Counts" 13th Annual Report on the top 10 and lowest 10 states in the country where education is concerned. Ranked #4 in the country is Virginia, but ranked #2 is Massachusetts:
Virginia
Total Score: 83.2
Overall Grade: B
Chance of Success: B
School Finance: C+
K-12 Achievement: C B
Massachusetts
Total Score: 84.6
Overall Grade: B
Chance of Success: A
School Finance: B
K-12 Achievement: B
I see stats about how great Mass education is all the time, and that's awesome. Not to be a smartass or anything, but I'm baffled by it considering the number of complete retards I run into on a daily basis.
One of my favorite idiot stories is a guy (from NYC, not MA) that I couldn't convince that the monetary value of of one of each state quarter is $12.50. He was damn sure that having 50 quarters meant you had $125.
If Gov. Patrick cuts the suggested 10% to local aid, it will kill public education in Massachusetts. I hope it doesn't happen because you are not going to make up that kind of cash with a prop 2.5 override or increased fees. Regardless, they would have to cut real deep before they got to me (thanks whatever god(s) you believe in).
History shows that most communities most of the time do not approve 2 1/2 overides in Mass but you and I both know that. gonna be some lean years ahead.
Budgets aside, educators hold a special place in my heart. Between them and daycare workers, I think our society extends far too little credit, appreciation, compensation, and maybe even accountability.
Congratulations to Massachusetts. We bow to your significant achievement.
Written by someone who's never had to tote around $20 worth of loonies ($1 Canadian coin) in a pants pocket!!! They weigh a ton! And while we're at it, I miss our $2 bill!!!