The voucher legislation in Louisiana will send millions of dollars to Christian academies that repudiate evolution and teach creationism. Their students will never learn about evolution other than to hear it ridiculed.
At least 20 of the religious schools that receive voucher students teach creationism, and as this researcher shows, that may be only the tip of the iceberg.
This is a descent into ignorance.
But in the eyes of a group of state superintendents called Chiefs for Change (the state superintendents of Florida, Oklahoma, New Jersey, New Mexico, Maine, Louisiana, Rhode Island, and Tennessee), this is called bold and visionary “reform.”
We are in deep trouble if we continue in this direction.
The Louisiana reforms should be recognized for what they are: An embarrassment to our nation.
Louisiana has made itself an international joke.
But for the children, it’s not funny.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
What is next? Teaching the War for State’s Rights instead of the Civil War?
If parents want their children to ONLY hear creationism, then that is their right to do so. Thats the point of vouchers: CHOICE. The alternative is A public school that only teaches evolution. I personally dont want the Government making those kinds of decisions for me or my family.
If you want your children to have a religious education, don’t expect the public to pay for it. That’s the American way.
You have a choice, home school or send them to the private “church” school of your choice, but do not expect taxpayers to foot the bill. There is a thing called seperation of church and state, and it includes funding religious based schools.
dianerav
July 25, 2012 at 12:20 pm
If you want your children to have a religious education, don’t expect the public to pay for it. That’s the American way.
Wonderful rejoinder!
Valerie Noland Smith
July 25, 2012 at 12:34 pm
You have a choice, home school or send them to the private “church” school of your choice, but do not expect taxpayers to foot the bill. There is a thing called seperation of church and state, and it includes funding religious based schools.
It’s too bad that Civics and U.S. Government aren’t taught or required anymore. That might clear up a lot of the confusion that some people have in understanding how our system is supposed to work. It might also go a long way in preventing some of these “leaders” from making costly and illegal educational decisions that will come back to haunt us.
If you want to keep your child in the dark you certainly have the right. But why should the state fund it? How is that secular?
No, parents should NOT have the right to only allow their children to be taught creationism in schools and be told that evolution is a lie. That is equivalent to decreeing that children should only be taught that the Earth is flat, and that the round-earth theory is a lie. It is an utter disgrace.
Parents can teach their children whatever they want and religions can teach whatever they want.
The key issue here is that religious ideas should not be taught in public school or with public money.
What I don’t understand is how that can even be legal. Since I doubt any of the voucher money is going to schools that are of any other faith, isn’t that de fact establishment?
Why is it okay to have a Christian school, but not a Muslim school? Who is judging which religions are worthy of state money? Not that I believe either should get funding, but are they allowing other religions?
The Muslim school that had originally applied to participate in the LA voucher program pulled out on its own.Like you, I don’t believe any public school money should go to any of the church schools, regardless the taught religion.
The reforms in Louisiana are a joke, Gov. Jindal and State Education Superintendent John White are in essence giving public funds to the private sector without any accountability or regard for the children of Louisiana. John White finally issued the long awaited accountability standards for private schools receiving vouchers (almost 30 days after the deadline for parents to apply to the private schools accepting voucher students). Needless to say the accountability is considerably less than the standards for public schools in Louisiana and it will apply to less than 25% of the private schools accepting vouchers students. So most 75% of the private schools will receive millions of public education dollars with no accountability while the state closes schools annually for low test scores.
Maybe we should just give them the “money and leave the children”, at least our children will be saved.
Great article by Mr Gill. Welcome to life in Louisiana. I am surrounded by ignorance. It is embarrassing. The sad part is that you can’t even have a decent conversation about it. Blasphemy! My friends think I am crazy bc I have the balls to think for myself and admit when I disagree. Majority here are catholic republican gun owners. If you are not, you better keep your mouth shut and not let them know it. Ignorance is bliss. The voucher program gives the appearance of choice and the promise of a “better ” education. No informed decision making necessary. They just ” believe” it is a better choice. No proof needed here. The majority of parents in LA haven’t yet gone for vouchers. I heard it is only about 2%. I’m curious to see where this ends up. Jindal is trying to bring us back to the stone ages. Wait, was there ever a stone age? Or is he trying to create a caste system? Either way, we are screwed here in Louisiana.
Bridget,
It seems like another planet here to me but you are absolutely correct that keeping your mouth shut is the only way to survive if you are in the minority; open minded, intelligent, have faith but not necessarily in an organized religion, professional, and welcome all kids of all backgrounds and ability into your classroom. I am ashamed of myself for not being as strong as I thought I was, to stand up for what I think is right and best for my students and teachers. However, I did for awhile and then became the target of harassment, shunned from any professional input, dropped for committees, subjected to weekly observations and visits from administration, openly ridiculed in staff meetings and laughed at.
The few parents who complained about me were all church members and/or relatives of the power brokers and their complaints, no matter how stupid, were given wide audience. Now I keep a low profile, still get in trouble or treated like crap daily, send out copies of this and other blogs, research results and articles, read books and share them, try and keep my classroom management and lessons based on the real research and the practices that actually help the students. I still fear for my job daily, wait for the next call to the office and never say anything in staff meetings.
Your situation is extreme, but I believe versions of what you described are happening everywhere. We are being pitted against each other and any sense of collaboration and collegiality will erode with everything that is happening. If teahers, and most do, have a family to support and kids to put through college, most will do their best under the circumstances and say little or nothing in staff meetings. I find administrators, in general, to be a vindictive group who are mostly concerned with protecting their power and position.
The “leaders” such as Duncan and the rest of the blowhards have no idea how much damage they are causing. I am not actually sure that they really care….I wonder what it is like to lie and spin every minute of every day or do you think they believe what they spout?
“I wonder what it is like to lie and spin every minute of every day or do you think they believe what they spout?
Unfortunately for the children who are harmed by their malpractical reforms they, the edudeformers, actually believe what they spout. I think you can find the diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV, page 296, 297.1 Delusional Disorder, Grandiose subtype. But then again I’m not a trained psychologist so I wouldn’t bet on my diagnosis-ha ha!
Or a less scientific diagnosis…they are lying sacks of _____ (fill in the blank).
“Wait, was there ever a stone age?” Couldn’t have been the earth is only 5,000 years old or so or whatever god’s word says.
Bridget, you need to “get with the program”. You could be making a boatload of money on this.
For those how rail against the fall of education and civilization, we have met the enemy and it is us.
To Confused and other readers – When I read comments like yours it charges my batteries BUT I am afraid that it is has the effect on many citizens of pushing further into complacency and compliance. I know that a major strategy of all those who would undermine the democratic process that Americans have worked so hard over the years to define and strengthen is to disempower the public. One subtle and easy way to do that is to spread the idea through testimony like yours that we are helpless and that we can only hope to SAVE OURSELVES by remaining quiet and compliant.
The truth is, and history shows, that when individuals and large groups speak out openly and loudly against injustices that the ability to perpetrate the injustice is made more difficult and that they can be overcome with persistence. I encourage everyone to stand up and be heard. We cannot sacrifice our nation in the hopes that we can salvage our own jobs and maintain a standard and mode of living that is worthwhile.
Governor Jindal has shown that he will stab his own supporters in the back when it suits his purposes. I assure you that in Louisiana you can find plenty of support, even in your own school and community, if you search it out. Begin associating with one of the many groups who are fighting to save our public schools both locally and nationally. Learn how you CAN work to be a part of the movement to push back against the injustuces that our Governor and his minions have brought on the citizens of this state. Coalition for Louisiana Public Education (FACEBOOK), Save Our Schools: The National Movement http://www.saveourschoolsmarch.org, Parents Across America, The New Orleans Imperative radio show on WBOK 990 AM, http://www.geauxteacher.com, Educatorsforall, http://www.louisianavoice.com, and above all, become active in your local union or union representation elsewhere in the state.
You mean the union that endorses Obama and Duncan? That is the union that will help and lead us?
What Bridget describes above is happening and they will isolate, intimidate and harrass you and if you are the ONLY one speaking out how do you think that will end?
Your suggestions to Confused and others are good ones. Confused doesn’t have to be alone. It is true, however, that we do so often feel that way and when we walk into a school where many teachers still have their head in the sand, it’s difficult! When we have a Governor who has a great deal of difficulty saying any kind words or give teachers any positive feed back, it’s very demoralizing.
BTW, thank you for what you do!
I understand as I was in that position while still teaching. I took the chance to speak out in spite of it and it actually became a protection for me. That may be difficult to understand but it often works. I admit that I understood I could lose my job and I was willing to face that possibility with the caveat that I was also willing to fight to keep it. I encourage everyone to stand up and be counted but first connect with others as there is power in numbers.
Diane – The young man whose blog you cited, Zach Kopplin – 19, is a shining example of the ability and power that our youth have when they speak out and take action against injustice and just plain bad policy. Zach has recorded a video for me to share at the Save Our Schools People’s Convention August 3-5 explaining his work to repeal Louisiana’s Creationist law when it was proposed. I will publish it on my blog as soon as it is edited and ready. Zach testified yesterday at our Board of Education meeting when our Supt. John White presented his worthless accountability plan for private and parochial schools that received vouchers. His testimony that many of the approved receiving schools bypass the proper teaching of science and replace it with creationism was compelling and presents the case that they are therefore unqualified to receive public funding because their curricula would not meet the “quality” criterion. It should be one of the issues that is presented in the lawsuit filed by two of our state unions and a group of district school boards against the new voucher legislation.
From commenter on the NOLA.com article:
Boolah Boolah!
It ain’t about schoolah schoolah
It’s about the moolah moolah
It’s about foolya foolya!
As a result of reading this post, I’m in favor of regular and on-going drug testing for all members and associates of Chiefs for Change.
I am not opposed to the presentation of opposing theories backed by evidence. What I worry about is indoctrination that serves a particular group. While I am comfortably in the “intelligent design” camp, and believe morals (in the vein of ten commandments) can be agreed to to an extent, I DO NOT believe that some powerful Santa Claus with an attitude that lives in the sky magically scratched 10 rules on pieces of stone, possessed some other guys and dictated his ancient story to them. It is a very man-centric tale, and those pushing it because their version of “God’s will be done” to them means “I can do whatever I want to my neighbor, others, the environment, and the Earth, because God is all powerful and he’ll either fix it or take me out if he doesn’t like it”. How many times have you heard someone on FOX scoff at climate change impacted by man’s activities? “Man doesn’t control the climate, God controls the climate!” Very liberating to know you can go on polluting and leave God to fix it. Indoctrinating kids in this “religion” subjugates them to the “priests” or “wise men” that will shape the message, and decreases their ability to determine right from wrong by how it affects the world around them. The right wants to wave the bible but avoid the moral obligations of religion, or the uncomfortable stories that come with it (know the one about Lot’s daughters? There’s one for the traditional marriage crowd!).
How about this report on the New Living Word School. It will double it’s enrollment. Didn’t get it’s 315 it wanted.
from the article:
The school has about eight classrooms, but White said they plan to create eight additional classrooms by using existing space above the school’s gymnasium and converting the sanctuary into temporary classrooms using room dividers that could be moved for worship services.
New Living Word’s current student enrollment is about 120 students but would increase to 285 with the voucher students.
“Using space efficiently is not a new thing,” White said. “From New Orleans to Shreveport, there are schools creatively using spaces and creating mini classrooms out of temporary spaces.”
Initial plans for the school’s expansion included classrooms created on the floor of the school’s gymnasium, which White said the Department of Education found unacceptable and was the primary reason for the reduction in students from 315.
http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20120725/NEWS01/207250314/-1/NLETTER01/New-Living-OK-d-for-165?source=nletter-news
If you believe the “science” behind Value-Added Methods is as discredited as most believe that post on this blog (including me), you should have some serious doubts about the “science” behind evolution. You have such a problem with kids learning about creation, and that is fine (I want my children to learn both evolution and creation). But you should equally have a problem with kids learning about evolution. The brand of science used to investigate the HISTORICAL teacher effects on a student’s achievement is the same brand of science used to investigate the HISTORICAL origins of the species. This may be a great opportunity for some of you that have understandably bashed VAM for its scientific stupidity to realize just how awful the brand of science is that is used to investigate where our existent species arose. Both VAM and evolution share many consistencies in terms of their level of science. Get educated.
“Both VAM and evolution share many consistencies in terms of their level of science.”
Certainly can’t wrap my mind around that statement. Please educate me as to how evolutionary science with its thousands of lines of converging inquiry “share[s] many consistencies” with the statistical bovine excrement that is VAM.
“Get educated.”
Didn’t you mean “Get Religion”? (specifically the fundamentalist christian kind).
VAM attempts to describe the historical teacher effects on a student regardless of the plethora of “lurking” variables that could affect student achievement. Evolution attempts to describe the historical effects on the species regardless of the plethora of “lurking” variables that could have affected the species. Science can only investigate and describe phenomena that are observable, repeatable, testable, and falsifiable of which both VAM and evolution are not.
The argument is actually a much larger philosophical question that hinges on whether economics (which is what VAM and its statistical regression relies upon) is a science, and if economics is a science, is it a science which purports evidence and theories in the same way and level of acceptance as physics, biology, and chemistry? I would argue that economics at best is a SOFT science if it is a science, and the results of an investigation using economics can not produce the same level of investigation and theory devising as physics, biology, and chemistry. Yet VAM is being sold as “scientific” as any process in physics, biology, and chemistry – so much so that it is being included in a teacher’s personal, professional evaluation without regard to liability suits. If the theory driving VAM were as scientific as the theory of gravity, I would be on board in terms of using it to describe my performance as a teacher. If, or when, VAM makes it to the court room, a good judge ought to expect that VAM is as scientific as the theory of gravity if it is to be used to judge someone’s performance at their place of employment. And I think most judges will look at it that way.
I have the same questions about forensics, meteorology, and psychology. Are these really sciences, and if so are they the same sort of science that I teach in physics, biology, and chemistry (of which I’ve taught all 3 at the high school level).
Evolutionary theory is inhibited in its reliance upon one-time, historical events which are impossible to control and test, much like VAM (and forensics). There is no way to identify and control variables when investigating evolution much like there is no way to identify and control variables when investigating VAM.
If the purpose of education was to get high test scores, then VaM might be valuable. But education has many more goals.
In sports, the points are the only goal. Not in schools.
ME,
Thanks for the explanation!. I agree that, for me at least, economics, psychology, education are studies and not necessarily an accurate description of the world as it is. and I don’t consider them “science”. But what then is. No, those areas certainly do not have the “certainty” that statements, theories and laws in the “hard” sciences have.
But to put evolutionary theory with the many supporting “statements”, facts and evidence from the “hard” sciences in the same junk science realm as VAM is a mistake. Now, have all the “variables” in evolutionary theory been completely 100% discovered, examined and put to the test. Of course not, but that is not a reason to dismiss it. Science and scientific thinking do not work that way. Everything in science is open to challenge and that’s the way it has developed over time. Who knows, someone may come up with a “better” theory to explain gravity in the future, but at the moment I’ll continue to believe current thought.
Whereas, dogmatic ideology demands certainty through faith in said ideology and cannot be verified in a scientific fashion in any way shape or form. Intelligent design/creationism is truly an ideology and does not withstand the scrutiny of scientific thought. VAM relies on dogmatic ideology of a certain “school” of economic thinking and is therefore more like intelligent design/creationism not like evolutionary theory which has much support from those “hard” sciences.
The argument for many of us is not about the validity of creationism or any other religious belief – the problem is using taxpayer dollars to fund vouchers to send students to these schools.
“If the purpose of education was to get high test scores, then VaM might be valuable. But education has many more goals.
In sports, the points are the only goal. Not in schools. ” – Diane
Diane, VAM is not and cannot be valuable. It is not VALID scientifically. It could be used diagnostically, but for what? There’s too much variability in growth measures for a myriad of reasons. Proficiency is a better measurement of teacher effects, IF test scores are to be used as a teacher quality measure. And even then, judging a teacher based on students’ test scores is just plain dumb (even in terms of proficiency) as we all know that teachers are not fully responsible for how a student performs on a test.
Since I don’t believe the sole purpose of education is to produce higher test scores, I agree with you. That is why I wrote a post titled “VAM is Junk Science.”
Duane, specifically I believe psychology, economics, forensics, and even evolution are more of a soft science. That doesn’t mean their useless, it just means that their outcomes are sacrificed because of the fact that their methodologies are not consistent with those of physics, biology, and chemistry. And even more specifically, the aforementioned “soft sciences” do not abide by scientific methods as described by Bacon, Popper, etc…
It sounds like you agree with me, except for evolution.
By the way, the term “soft science” isn’t necessarily a derogatory term – it just means these sciences are actually more difficult to carry out and their outcomes are degraded as a result.
I have been on record in more than one venue in opposition to government financed vouchers for private schools…religious schools or secular. But opposition to vouchers framed in context of derogotory language about those who believe in Creationism is beneath intellectual dicourse which educators claim to want to foster. It is not true that children in religious schools are all deprived of learning about evolution. Often they are more informed than the public school students for they must learn about evolution as well as creation in order to be able to defend creationism or refute the claims of evolution. If anything, it is the public school students who are deprived for having been exposed to only one veiwpoint which even some scientists with legitimate credentials do not accept. It is that disdain for any other science re: a different explanation of origins which has driven a large segment of parents to seek out private schools or home school. They may be a form of refugees from academic assaults on them and their children, but in their desperation they
are making a monumental mistake to board the voucher movement which will ultimately undermine and destroy the choices they still have which are worth preserving even at a financial personal cost.
Mary Thompson, you just described my situation perfectly. Although school vouchers would personally help me send my child to a private school, I do not believe school vouchers should be implemented. They will not solve the poverty issue that politicians and billionaires are using to undermine public education. My child is only one child – what about all the others? What’s best for them? In fact, most poverty stricken parents would not even have the opportunity to use vouchers like I would. I have the ability, although it would be of great sacrifice, to transport my child 20 miles away to a private, Christian school, and be able to make it back to teach in my public school. It would be much easier for me to place my child in our local public school, which by the way, is a GREAT public school, and it would be free. But I want my child to experience education, not testing, and I am willing to sacrifice to do it. I don’t want my son tracked in a system devised by Obama and Duncan through RttT. I don’t want my son overly tested without my express, written consent. Its not about the teaching of evolution, although I have serious doubts about the level of science promulgated by its proponents. I don’t mind my child learning evolution, because I have the ability, as a science teacher, to give him the full picture and tell him the truth when he gets home. I am also open minded enough to accept the fact that he could “believe” in evolution and not be struck by a God-induced lightning bolt.
Moreover, as I said in my last post, this is a great opportunity for those of you that have been brainwashed by the “experts” that evolutionary “science” is really science, like Diane Ravitch. She accepts evolution because it’s what the scientists, who are really “smart”, say happened. The statisticians, econometricians, and psychometricians, who are all really “smart”, say VAM works, but it doesn’t, no way, no how. It is NOT scientific. But these BULLIES are forcing its use through the courts and through money. The same can be said about evolution, and maybe educators that realize the “science” behind VAM is being pushed on us will wake up and realize that the “science” behind evolution has been pushed on the public in much the same way.
“But opposition to vouchers framed in context of derogotory language about those who believe in Creationism is beneath intellectual dicourse which educators claim to want to foster.”
Thank you for taking the time to be the thought police of the blog! Feel free to comeback any time to show us how the supposed higher knowledge base of those “schooled” in creationism squares with reality, you know real reality, not the irreality that is based on over 2,000 year old myths from the desserts of the Middle East.
Duane, why trade out a 2,000 year old “myth” for a more recent 100 year old “myth”? Does it make you feel “smarter” much like the statisticians, econometricians, and psychometricians that are pushing VAM on us much like the evolutionists have done through similar measures over the course of the last 100 years?
And are you insinuating that evolution, or science in general, tells us about “reality”? I would hope not because science answers questions about what we observe TENTATIVELY which precludes questions about “reality”. What is real and what is not real are philosophical questions, not scientific. Science aims at describing what we can observe, no more and no less. Any label you artificially suggest is “reality” voids our ability to find something in science that better describes that label, which in turn, voids your previous label of “reality”. Science does not study “reality”, it studies repeatable, observable, and falsifiable phenomena.
Wow! I am curious as to how you teach science and keep your faith out of it? Statistics and scientific research in the areas of human behavior is tough, very tough and must be done under the strickest of research design and protocols because the results will become more different the more times you study them. Those areas of science have different constraints, applicability and inference from other areas of science. While SCIENCES in general do all require evidence, replication and control of variables, each major discipline has its own unique challenges in meeting those requirements. It takes many hours and years of classes to really understand evolution at even a superficial level. A masters in biology or a medical degree or a masters in epidemiology or something that requires more then some magazine articles and beyond a BS degree to really even begin to discuss it. Why don’t people argue about physics or math or astronomy? It takes years to understand and see the connections.
The discussion here is about Louisiana and my experiences here only, many schools with a religious origin do a wonderful job of teaching science and evolution all the way through to medical school and beyond.
Please stop interrupting here with your misunderstandings and myths about evolution and science. It is unfortunate that you are confusing so much about science. Evolution is not what you state and it is not something that can be taught in a blog. The problem for the students is not that they are going to religious schools, it is that they may not really have any choice since only religious school have applied to accept vouchers. I have said on here before that for parents of the same belief as the voucher school this may be okay for their children. For others who want a good education for their kids but are not of the same faith maybe not so okay but they don’t really have much of a choice. If Christian schools are okay then all religious schools are okay, not just those of the majority religion in an area.
Either way, if the state and the federal government have these low requirements for private schools and yet harp about the needs for STEM and rigor in public schools doesn’t it make you wonder why?
Middle and high school students are winning STEM awards for genetics, virology, engineering and other complex areas of scientific research.
It means their schools, whichever one they went to, had standards and they were taught science and physics and chemistry and biology and evolution. They may be deeply religious but they have to KNOW and UNDERSTAND EVOLUTION and how it applies across all areas of science to be doing the work they are. IF their faith compels them to investigate evolution and biology further and they find additional evidence it will be ADDED to the present body of scientific knowledge but it will not disprove evolution.
There are as many scientists of all the different faiths as there are faiths in the population of the United States. Evolution is not a stagnant set of evidence and facts that is never added to or questioned but it is not questioned in totality nor is it questioned by scientists globally. Each major faith has their creation belief and yet very few nations seem to have as much problem as some conservative protestant religious organizations do with evolution.
Many global religions believe that science and faith are separate but they have a relationship in that your faith determines how you use and apply science. It seems only some religious organizations claim that only one science or religion can be “True”. There are scientists out there who just as vocally make statements that there is no God or Allah or Mohammad. They have that right to their beliefs. If they show up at your church and demand it be shut down since they don’t believe in your God, throw them out. Their belief in science doesn’t cancel your belief in your God. Your belief in your God doesn’t cancel their belief in science.
Thanks, confused for trying to “unconfuse” ME. Saved me typing more.
Who said anything about my “faith”? Teachers teach stuff everyday they don’t personally believe in, although I would say science teachers are probably more immune to this. I have no problem teaching evolution, and I have no problem with anyone who accepts evolution. I do speak up about what science is and what it ought to be used for.
And although you are right that this blog is not about evolution, nor can evolution be taught bottled up within this blog, Diane’s initial post made it very clear there was something wrong with creationism. I am making it clear after nearly 15 years of teaching physics, chemistry, biology, and a host of other math and science courses, that there is something wrong with evolution. There’s no rule against that. If Diane wants to take a wack at creationism without understanding creation and evolution, so be it. But as in informed individual, I have every right to respectfully comment and attempt to correct her and you. So telling me to go away will not work.
Furthermore, what’s with bringing in my “beliefs”. I have communicated issues with using science to describe how our present species arose. I have said nothing about the Bible, God, or anything religious. Why so defensive? Has Christianity and religion hurt you that bad? It’s interesting to see how truly closed minded evolutionists are. It’s difficult to even carry on a conversation with you because you simply plug your ears and condemn one as being religious. It’s no wonder why so many people fight to have creationism taught alongside evolution in public schools, which by the way I have never advocated.
You need to stop and quit being so judgmental. Listen to what is being said and learn from it. I am a unique person in that I have been educated in both the creation and evolution world. I listen and talk to evolutionists the world over. I talk and listen to creationists. Condemning one side never works.
As I said previously. Having VAM on the national scene, and its involvement in being asserted as “scientific” should give science educators some insight as to how something “scientific” can be pushed and shoved on the public regardless of its validity. VAM is crap. It’s crap because its impossible to socially control the myriad of variables that are involved in the teaching and learning scenario. It’s variables are historical in their framework and are without the ability to test, control, and falsify. I would submit there are many parallels between evolution and VAM, and I am still waiting for someone to define the differences enough for me to change my mind.
FYI—Louisiana religious schools are provided books by the state for free. Many years ago, a court case decided this. Services to students in these schools include speech and gifted services at the expense of the public system, if desired.
After Katrina I felt our state could move forward in education at both the local and university level. However, even our flagship University, LSU, has dropped like a rock in national ranking and current students are questioning whether their degree will actually be worth anything not to mention how long it takes to get a degree when needed classes are not available. Gov. Bobby Jindal has now cut our funding for schools, mental health services, and the fascinating thing is that uninformed citizens continue to support him here as he campaigns around the nation spending very little time in our state. Even prominent Republicans in our state can not meet with the man…Why?because he is nationally funded by the same powerful pacs intent on implementing business oriented small government and destroying public education and does not need local voices.
America used to be a place where we cared about the less fortunate and we at least sympathized with their plight. Today, we have a mean America intent on punishing unfortunates, demonizing those caught in life circumstances, and intent on creating a weakened middle class and a permanent underclass. It has been said, “people get the government they deserve” and that is so true in Louisiana,today.
We are getting caught up in nonending, circular arguments. My tax money is not to be used to advance my faith based beliefs. It is not an accident that church and state are kept separate. We have never had to fight a religious war within this country. I know that in practice we don’t always live up to our ideals, but that is no reason not to try.
Me,
You will need to seek education on evolution and the true nature of science somewhere other than this blog. Likewise your comparisons of VAM to evolution are incorrect and show a need for more research on your part. Your rants are not worth addressing since nothing anyone can say here will provide the impetus for you to seek more professional and academic education on the subject.
We all have to continue to fill in the areas of our professional practices that we lack understanding of with more education. For me this blog has been priceless for that reason and has motivated me to do further reading and research on many of the subjects discussed here. We never stop learning. Please stop insulting Diane with your disparaging remarks about her support of evolution in the PUBLIC schools.
She has provided one of the few places for all of us to discuss education, and insulting her is inappropriate. You can disagree with her without statements that she has been brainwashed, which is so far from the truth as to be worse than inappropriate. She is brave to venture out and provide this blog, we need this blog and the information it brings and the discussions that result. Not the insults. Not the ranting. It is about PUBLIC schools.
I didn’t really know I insulted anyone. I love this blog too. And I agree that my comparison between that of VAM and the ToE needs some elaboration. I still think it is worth noting.
Perhaps it is time to suggest to Bobby that it is time to teach Mormon history rather than traditional since he and his ilk are determined to drag students into a theocracy. After all, the Mormons were in the Americas before Columbus etc., had the wheel before it was invented and had huge cities that seem to have miraculously vanished.