CALIFORNIA: WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS

 CALIFORNIA: WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS

California, the land of sunshine, beaches, and billionaires. Yes, you read that right. California is home to more billionaires than any other place on earth. It's also the fifth-largest economy in the world, but when it comes to education funding, California is lagging behind.

Let's take a deep dive into California's school finance system. According to recent ratings, California gets a "D" for adequacy, a "B" for equity, and an "F" for effort. That's like getting a participation trophy for showing up, but failing miserably at everything else.

So, why is California's education funding so bad? Well, for starters, California has a large and diverse population. It's like trying to feed a picky toddler who wants something different every day. It's hard to provide equal funding to all schools when there are so many different needs.

Secondly, California has a history of tax cuts. Who doesn't love saving money? But those tax cuts have reduced the amount of money available for education. It's like going to the grocery store with only $5 and trying to feed a family of four. It's just not enough.

Lastly, California has a strong tradition of local control over education. That means school districts have a lot of say in how their money is spent. It's like giving your teenager the credit card and hoping they don't blow it all on Fortnite skins.

The result is that California's school system is highly unequal. Some schools have more resources than they need, while others are struggling to provide even the basics. It's like playing a game where some players get all the power-ups and others are stuck with the basic equipment.

This inequality has a number of negative consequences, including lower test scores, higher dropout rates, and fewer opportunities for students from low-income families. It's like trying to run a marathon with one leg tied behind your back. You're just not going to get very far.

But fear not, Californians! There are things that can be done to improve the school finance system. One option would be to increase state funding for education. This would help to equalize funding across school districts and ensure that all students have access to a quality education. It's like giving that picky toddler a buffet of options so they can choose what they want.

Another option would be to give the state more control over education funding. This would allow the state to ensure that all students are receiving a fair share of resources. It's like taking away the credit card from your teenager and giving them an allowance instead.

Now, let's talk about some of the other challenges facing California's school system. First up, we have a large and growing number of students who are English language learners. It's like trying to learn how to play a video game when you don't speak the language.

Next, we have a high poverty rate, which affects many students' ability to learn. It's like trying to concentrate on homework when your stomach is growling because you haven't eaten all day.

We also have a shortage of qualified teachers. It's like trying to learn how to swim from someone who doesn't know how to swim themselves.

And finally, we have a lack of resources in many schools, such as textbooks and computers. It's like trying to do your homework without a pencil or paper.

These challenges make it difficult for California to provide all of its students with a quality education. But the state is working on it. It's like trying to level up in a video game. It takes time and effort, but eventually, you'll get there.

In conclusion, California may be home to billionaires and beautiful beaches, but when it comes to education funding, it's falling short. But with some changes and improvements, California can level up its school finance system and provide all students with the quality education they deserve.

WAIT PROBLEM SOLVED

CALIFORNIA IS A BLUE STATE RIGHT

NOT HARDLY

As a Californian, it's hard to ignore the fact that our state is home to more billionaires than any other in the country. And yet, when it comes to education, we seem to be struggling. In fact, California's school finance ratings are D for adequacy, B for equity, and F for effort. So, what gives?

As a super-rich liberal state, you'd think we'd be pouring money into our schools and ensuring that every child has access to a quality education. But alas, we seem to be falling short in that department. And it begs the question: where the f*** are the Democrats?

You know La La Land, that magical place where dreams come true and everyone is a star? Well, it seems like our politicians are too busy living in that fantasy world to actually do anything about the state of our schools. Who do Democrats work for? Apparently not the kids of California.

It's frustrating to see so much wealth and potential in our state, yet we can't seem to get our act together when it comes to education. Sure, we can throw money at the problem, but that's not enough. We need real solutions and real action.

So, when will billionaire land start educating the kids? It's a fair question. With all the wealth and resources at our disposal, there's no excuse for our schools to be struggling. We need to hold our politicians accountable and demand that they prioritize education.

In the meantime, let's not lose our sense of humor. After all, laughter is the best medicine, right? So, here's a joke for you: Why did the Democrat cross the road? To get to the other side...of the aisle! Okay, maybe it's not that funny, but you get the point.

In all seriousness though, we need to start taking education seriously in California. Our kids deserve better than a D rating for adequacy. Let's hope our politicians start paying attention and taking action before it's too late.

California’s school finance ratings: D for adequacy, B for equity, F for effort — but on the upswing http://edsource.org/?page_id=683463 via @edsource 

Most Billionaires by State [Updated March 2023] https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/most-billionaires-by-state 

Big Education Ape: CALIFORNIA- RICHEST STATE HAS 5TH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD IS STIFFING PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/california-richest-state-has-5th.html 

Big Education Ape: CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOLS: CALIFORNIA'S NEWEST CORPORATE WELFARE QUEENS http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/california-charter-schools-californias.html 

THE DEBT CEILING DEAL: WHY PROGRESSIVES ARE PISSED... YOU SHOULD BE TOO!

THE DEBT CEILING DEAL: WHY PROGRESSIVES ARE PISSED... 

YOU SHOULD BE TOO!

In a move that shocked absolutely no one, the US budget deal reached in March 2023 will include savage cuts to public education. Because, you know, who needs education anyway?

The deal, if passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden, includes provisions that will have a negative impact on public schools. But hey, who needs educated citizens when you can have a few extra bucks in your pocket, right?

One of the most significant cuts is to Title I funding, which provides federal assistance to schools with high concentrations of poverty. Because why help out those who need it most, right? The budget deal cuts Title I funding by $1.4 billion, which will disproportionately impact schools in low-income communities. But hey, who needs a fair shot at education when you can just pull yourself up by your bootstraps?

The budget deal also cuts funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides federal assistance to schools for students with disabilities. Because who needs equal opportunities for all students, right? The budget deal cuts IDEA funding by $200 million, which will make it more difficult for schools to provide special education services to students with disabilities. But hey, who needs empathy when you can just ignore the problem?

In addition to these cuts, the budget deal also includes provisions that will make it more difficult for schools to raise revenue. Because why support education when you can just make it harder for schools to function? The deal eliminates the deduction for state and local taxes (SALT), which will make it more expensive for homeowners to pay their property taxes. The deal also caps the deduction for charitable contributions, which will make it more difficult for schools to raise money from donors. But hey, who needs community support when you can just let the schools crumble?

The combined impact of these cuts and restrictions will make it more difficult for public schools to provide a quality education to all students. But hey, who needs a well-educated population when you can just have a bunch of uneducated workers?

In addition to the cuts to Title I and IDEA funding, the budget deal also includes a number of other provisions that will have a negative impact on public education. These include a cut of $1.5 billion to the Head Start program, which provides early childhood education to low-income children; a cut of $100 million to the School Improvement Grant program, which provides funding to struggling schools; and a cut of $50 million to the Teacher Quality Partnership program, which provides funding to states to improve the quality of their teachers. Because why invest in the future when you can just save a few bucks now?

Overall, the budget deal is a major setback for public education in the United States. But hey, who needs a well-educated population when you can just have a bunch of uneducated workers? The budget deal will make it more difficult for schools to provide a quality education to all students and widen the achievement gap between rich and poor students. But hey, who needs equality when you can just have a bunch of rich people running everything?

So let's all raise a glass to the US budget deal and its wonderful provisions that will surely benefit everyone equally. Just kidding, let's all go back to school and learn how to vote for politicians who actually care about education.

Debt ceiling deal: 5 takeaways on its economic impact https://www.yahoo.com/news/debt-ceiling-deal-5-takeaways-105309612.html 

US budget deal will accelerate savage cuts to public education - World Socialist Web Site https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/05/31/iyhr-m31.html 

RYAN WALTERS - TEACHER TURNCOAT: PROMOTING PRIVATIZATION TO DESTROY OKLAHOMA PUBLIC EDUCATION

RYAN WALTERS - TEACHER TURNCOAT:

 PROMOTING PRIVATIZATION TO DESTROY OKLAHOMA PUBLIC EDUCATION

Ladies and gentlemen, gather around, because we have a story to tell about Ryan Walters, the man who wants to destroy Oklahoma public education. Now, before we dive deep into this topic, let's take a moment to appreciate the irony of a man who was once a Teacher of the Year finalist now being accused of wanting to destroy education. Oh, how the tables have turned!

But who is Ryan Walters, you might ask? Well, he's a Republican politician who has been serving as the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2023. Before that, he was the appointed Secretary of Education from September 2020 to April 2023. And let's not forget his humble beginnings in McAlester, Oklahoma, where he was born in 1985.

Now, you might be wondering what qualifications Mr. Walters has to be in charge of education in Oklahoma. Well, he graduated from Harding University in 2007 with a degree in history and then went on to teach high school history for eight years in McAlester and Millwood. I guess that's enough to qualify someone to be in charge of an entire state's education system, right?

But let's get to the juicy stuff - what policies has Ryan Walters put in place in Oklahoma? Well, he's all about school choice and expanding access to charter schools. He believes that parents should have the right to choose their children's schools and that charter schools are the way to go. Because who needs public education when you can have privately-run schools funded by taxpayers?

Now, some people might say that Ryan Walters' policies are too conservative and that he's trying to dismantle public education. But I say let's give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he just wants to make education great again by privatizing it. After all, what could go wrong?

However, there is one little thing that might put a damper on Mr. Walters' plans - a pesky little lawsuit. You see, two former state Department of Education employees were fired after they released department communications to the media. They're now suing Ryan Walters and his advisor Matt Langston for violating their First Amendment rights by firing them for exercising their free speech rights. Oopsie!

But fear not, my friends, because this lawsuit is still pending in federal court. And even if Ryan Walters loses, I'm sure he'll find a way to spin it into a positive. Maybe he'll say that he was just testing the limits of the First Amendment and that he's actually a champion of free speech. Who knows?

In conclusion, Ryan Walters might be accused of wanting to destroy Oklahoma public education, but let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe he just wants to make it better by privatizing it. And if that doesn't work out, he can always fall back on his history degree and become a tour guide at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters target of lawsuit filed in federal court Former state Department of Education employees are suing Walters and his advisor Matt Langston after they were fired over releasing department communications to the media https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-superintendent-ryan-walters-lawsuit-filed-federal-court/44043961 

Big Education Ape: RYAN WALTERS: THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN OKLAHOMA https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/ryan-walters-most-dangerous-man-in.html 

Big Education Ape: SSPI RYAN WALTERS PROVES HIS MAGA CHOPS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/sspi-ryan-walters-proves-his-maga-chops.html

Big Education Ape: OKLAHOMA ANTI WOKE ACTIVIST SSPI RYAN WALTERS DUMBER THAN STITT https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/oklahoma-anti-woke-activist-sspi-ryan.html 

Big Education Ape: OKLA. STATE SEN. GEORGE YOUNG NAMED A TERRORIST SYMPATHIZER https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/okla-state-sen-george-young-named.html

ARMING TEACHERS: DO YOU FEEL SAFE? WELL, DO YA, PUNK?

 ARMING TEACHERS

DO YOU FEEL SAFE? WELL, DO YA, PUNK?

School shootings are a terrifying reality in the US. It's like playing Russian Roulette when you send your child to school. Will they come home safe or will they be caught in the crossfire of a mass shooting? It's a question that no parent should have to ask, but sadly, it's become a part of our daily lives.

In response to these tragedies, some people have suggested that arming teachers would be a way to prevent or stop future attacks. But let's be real here, do we really want to give our teachers guns? I mean, have you ever seen a teacher try to use a projector? It's like watching a monkey try to use a typewriter.

According to a recent survey conducted by the National Education Association (NEA), 54% of teachers said they believe that arming teachers would make schools less safe. Only 23% said they believe that arming teachers would make schools more safe, while 22% said they were unsure. 

And let's not forget about the potential for accidents. Teachers are already responsible for the safety of their students, and adding guns to the mix could make it more likely that someone would be injured or killed by mistake. For example, a teacher could accidentally fire their gun, or a student could get hold of their gun and use it against themselves or others. 

Arming teachers is like giving a toddler a chainsaw. It might seem like a good idea at first, but it's bound to end badly. Let's focus on giving our teachers the tools they need to educate and inspire our children, not turn them into Rambo.

But if we're going to arm teachers, let's arm them with books, pencils, and love. Because at the end of the day, that's what our children really need. Not guns, but love and support from the people who are supposed to guide them through their formative years.

The survey results suggest that most US teachers think schools would be less safe if they were armed. This is a significant finding, as it suggests that there is little public support for this policy among the people who would be directly affected by it. If policymakers are serious about making schools safer, they should listen to the voices of teachers, and focus on other measures, such as improving school security and providing more mental health support for students.

So let's put down the guns and pick up the books. Let's focus on educating our children and providing them with a safe and nurturing environment. Because at the end of the day, that's what really matters.

Arming teachers: Most say schools would be less safe if they had guns https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/05/31/arming-teachers-most-say-schools-would-be-less-safe-if-they-had-guns/70258290007/ 

Big Education Ape: CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023: YOU DIDN'T DIE AT SCHOOL, SOME DID http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/congratulations-class-of-2023-you-didnt.html 

Big Education Ape: REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE LIVES LOST: UVALDE SHOOTING http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/remembering-and-honoring-lives-lost.html 

Big Education Ape: UVALDE - ONE YEAR LATER: PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/uvalde-one-year-later-previews-of.html

THE IRONY OF THE WOKE CHICKEN

THE IRONY OF THE WOKE CHICKEN

Chick-fil-A is in hot water with some of its conservative customers after announcing the hiring of a vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). It seems that some folks are not too happy about the fast-food chain's efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive work environment. Who knew that chicken sandwiches could be so controversial?

The irony of Chick-fil-A's DEI leader has sparked calls for a boycott, with many conservatives accusing the company of "going woke" and betraying its Christian values. But is this really the case, or are people just overreacting?

Let's take a deep dive into this chicken sandwich drama and see if we can't find some humor in the situation.

First things first, what exactly is DEI? Well, it stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are all important values that every company should strive to uphold. DEI initiatives can include hiring more people from underrepresented groups, ensuring fair pay and promotion opportunities, and providing training and education on topics such as anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and allyship.

But some conservatives view DEI as a threat to their values and beliefs, accusing it of being a form of "woke" ideology that promotes reverse discrimination, political correctness, and social engineering. They claim that DEI is incompatible with Christianity, which they see as the foundation of Chick-fil-A's corporate culture and identity.

So, what's the big deal with Chick-fil-A hiring a VP of DEI? Well, it seems that some folks are worried that this move is a sign that the company is abandoning its conservative roots and catering to the "liberal agenda." They're afraid that DEI is just a code word for anti-white, anti-male, anti-Christian propaganda.

But is this really the case? Are we really supposed to believe that Chick-fil-A is suddenly going to start promoting Marxism and destroying our country and culture? It seems a bit far-fetched to me.

In fact, some Twitter users have come to Chick-fil-A's defense, pointing out that DEI is not incompatible with Christianity. After all, Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, regardless of their race or background. And isn't that what DEI is all about?

Of course, there are always going to be people on both sides of the issue. Some folks are calling for a boycott of Chick-fil-A, while others are defending the company's right to hire whoever they want. But let's be honest, at the end of the day, we're all just here for the chicken sandwiches.

So, what can we learn from this whole debacle? Well, for one thing, it's important to remember that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords. They're important values that we should all strive to uphold in our personal and professional lives.

And secondly, maybe we should all just take a deep breath and enjoy some delicious chicken sandwiches. After all, isn't that what life is really all about?

Chick-fil-A’s DEI leader sparks calls for boycott | The Hill https://thehill.com/homenews/4026001-chick-fil-a-dei-hire-sparks-calls-for-boycott/ 

FLORIDA STRANGE WORLD GETS STRANGER

FLORIDA STRANGE WORLD GETS STRANGER

In a recent school board meeting that lasted until 2:30 a.m., the Hernando County School Board voted to retain Superintendent John Stratton, despite calls for his resignation from three state legislators. But the real entertainment came from the speakers who addressed the board on a variety of issues.

One teacher was forced to resign after showing a Disney movie in class without proper approval. It seems that the school board takes their copyright laws very seriously. But hey, at least the kids got to watch a good movie, right?

Another teacher allegedly threatened to shoot students. Now, that's not funny at all. But it does make you wonder if they were just trying to get out of grading papers.

The board members who voted to retain Stratton said they believed he had done the best he could under the circumstances. But the three state legislators who called for his resignation have vowed to continue to pressure the board to remove him from his position. It's like a political soap opera, but with less drama and more bad jokes.

The teachers' union president said that the 33 resignations submitted this year were double the amount from this time last year. Maybe they're all just trying to start their own Disney movie club.

In the end, the situation in Hernando County is not going away anytime soon. But at least we can find some humor in it all. A marathon school board meeting? That's like running a marathon without ever leaving your seat.

And let's not forget about the close vote to retain Stratton. It's like a reality TV show where the audience gets to vote on who stays and who goes.

But seriously, let's hope that the school district can regroup over the summer break and come up with a plan to address the concerns of the community. And maybe they can even throw in a few more Disney movies for good measure.

Hernando superintendent survives no-confidence vote https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2023/05/31/hernando-superintendent-survives-no-confidence-vote-after-marathon-school-board-meeting