People's Bill #1 (PB1): Legislator Accountability Bill | BustED Pencils

People's Bill #1 (PB1): Legislator Accountability Bill | BustED Pencils:

People’s Bill #1 (PB1): Legislator Accountability Bill

Posted January 20, 2015 by Tim Slekar

Today I put forth PB1 (People’s Bill #1) Legislator Accountability Bill.

This Bill was drafted by members of ALECFLA (American Legislative Exchange Council for Legislator Accountability).

Bill Summary

• This bill would require all legislators produce a weekly information sheet detailing any and all work paid for the people of the state.
• This bill would require that all meetings between legislators and lobbyists are disclosed and a meeting transcript be made available to the people of the state.
• This bill would require that all financial contributions be published weekly and any draft legislation attached to said contributions be disclosed immediately.
• This bill would require that each legislator post and keep weekly office hours for the people of the state.
• This bill would require that the each legislative body (house and senate) develop a data gathering system and legislative report card.
• This bill would require that individual legislator report cards detail legislator effectiveness.
• Legislator effectiveness will be determined using Value Added Legislator (VALs) People's Bill #1 (PB1): Legislator Accountability Bill | BustED Pencils:

President Spotlights Education Access During Annual State of the Union Address ACTE

ACTE:

President Spotlights Education Access During Annual State of the Union Address

ALEXANDRIA, VA –The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) today lauded President Obama’s emphasis on the importance of additional skills for all students during his State of the Union Address.

“To make sure folks keep earning higher wages down the road, we have to do more to help Americans upgrade their skills,” Obama said. “America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free, sent a generation of GIs to college and trained the best workforce in the world.  But in a 21st century economy that rewards knowledge like never before, we need to do more.”

During his address, the president referenced his recently announced America’s College Promise proposal, which could increase opportunity for Americans nationwide to obtain valuable postsecondary CTE credentials in growing fields. He also emphasized the need for strong business-education partnerships, like those established by many CTE programs around the country.

“President Obama’s attention to postsecondary education access and skills training issues in his address provides important recognition of our nation’s duty to equitably prepare every student for college and career success,” said ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Wilson. “I’m also encouraged by the increased attention that this administration has given CTE as an established mechanism for increasing access to economic opportunity and strengthening the foundation of the American workforce. Hopefully, the president, his Administration and Congress will continue this momentum and recognize the need to build our federal investment in CTE through proven approaches, including the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.”

Tuesday proved to be a big night for CTE educators as well. ACTE member Lisa Barnett, a CTE coordinator at Botetourt Country public school district, and Katrice Mubiru, a CTE teacher for Los Angeles unified school district, attended the address as special guests of Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and First Lady Michele Obama, respectively. The inclusion of CTE professionals as guests at this important event underscores the growing appreciation for CTE in Washington and nationwide, and will help to spread public support for these vital programs.

As the nation’s largest association of education professionals dedicated to preparing students for college and career success, ACTE supports policies that will connect secondary and postsecondary level students with relevant, real-world learning opportunities that prepare them to meet workforce demands in growing career fields.

About ACTE

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, guidance counselors and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.

Here’s the Full Text of President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union

State of the Union Humor

I have no more campaigns to run. 

I know, cuz I won both of them.

Colo. principal says she was fired over "disrespectful" policy towards poor children - CBS News

Colo. principal says she was fired over "disrespectful" policy towards poor children - CBS News:



Colo. principal says she was fired over "disrespectful" policy towards poor children

Noelle Roni was principal at Peak to Peak Charter School for 9 years.  CBS DENVER

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LAFAYETTE, Colo.  – An elementary school principal says she was fired for protecting children from humiliation.

Noelle Roni says she fought against a policy requiring kids to get their hands stamped if they don’t have enough money in their lunch account. She was fired from Peak to Peak Charter School in Lafayette in the fall.

“The kids are humiliated. They’re branded. It’s disrespectful. Where’s the human compassion? And these are little children,” she said.

Roni was principal for nine years before being fired. She calls it a wrongful termination, and wants her job back.

Peak to Peak charter school in Colorado

 CBS

 “If we have to, we’ll file suit,” she said. “When I see something that I feel harms children, I speak up.”

School attorney Barry Arrington said the school won’t discuss personnel matters in depth, but he called the allegations absurd. He said in a statement “Three outside lawyers agree her claims are baseless.”

Roni said she had passionate discussions with her bosses before, but she was stunned by their response.

“I was shocked that their reaction was not outrage. That it was more of ‘Who are you to tell us not to do this?’ ” she said.

Many parents of students at the school say they are upset by the firing. They think Roni was the victim of politics.

On Monday, parents met at a church in Erie to discuss recalling two of the school’s board members.

“I feel she was bullied, and we want her back,” one parent said.