Fixing our public schools:

Under leftist control, public schools are a disaster. I don't know if Oregon has an equivalency to Washington State's OSPI report card, which details the academic outcomes of our schools.

But I'm sure it's a nightmare if such an online report exists.

This is the current copy of the latest reports on academic outcomes here in Washington.

You'd have to be insane or masochistic to send your kids to a state school system that has no requirements to get a worthless high school diploma in order to somehow protect the sensibilities of minorities who fail to perform.

Meanwhile, Oregon continues to punch out fringe-left programmed semi-literate cretins like movie tickets, just like Washington (which just fell behind MISSISSIPPI in academics - schools that spend roughly $6000 LESS per student than we do) and then, leftists ask for a "plan to fix it," as if 1. they were clueless that it's broken and 2. WHY it is broken.

Plan to fix all public schools:

1. End social programming.

Kids go to school for one reason only: academics. Social programing, insane gender issues, mainstreaming mental illness, teaching children to hate their country, hate law enforcement, hate the rich, hate internal combustion engines, hate immigration law enforcement, hate those advocating for actual biological science when it comes to being born male or born female while hating the police should ALL be prohibited.

2. Focus ENTIRELY on academics.

English. Math. Science. Government/Constitution. Shop. Music. Athletics. Home Economics.

This country ranks 31st in the world for academic outcomes. China spends $4200 per student. Our country averages $15,000 to $17,000 per student. "China generally achieves higher foundational test scores and STEM output." In Washington State, the number is $19,341 per student.

To call our academic outcomes here in the Washington Soviet “abysmal” is the understatement.

"China scores significantly higher in international metrics like PISA (Programme[sic] for International Student Assessment), particularly in mathematics, reading, and science within participating regions like Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. The system emphasizes rote memorization, repetition, and foundational mastery.

United States students typically rank lower on standardized international math and science benchmarks compared to top-performing international cohorts, focusing more on conceptual understanding and student-centered engagement."

We rank lower. You know, on the things that matter most?

There's zero excuses available for ANY country to do better for their students than THIS country... and the issue is NOT money or so-called "underpaid teachers."

3. Hold teachers accountable for their outcomes.

Teachers have been mailing it in for years... decades. Demand accountability for what they produce.

Nationwide, there's horror stories. Baltimore, for example, spends $23,147 per student. Academically, they are among THE worst schools not only in the country, but in the entire 1st world.

It begins and ends with the combination of curriculum and those teaching it.

Try and hold teachers accountable for their end-product (you know, like all the rest of us are held accountable for ours?)

End teacher strikes, which are illegal and extortion. If teachers go on strike, lock them up.

If teachers don't like the pay, benefits, retirement? Then quit and go pump gas. But acting like failed teachers who are far more concerned with offending the sensibilities of those who refuse to do the work over those who actually make an effort, is a nonstarter.

Your value as a teacher is in direct proportion to the product YOU produce.

4. Hold STUDENTS accountable.

END the insanity of providing worthless pieces of paper that many students did NOT work for.

Implement reasonable academic standards to not only graduate, but to pass on to the next grade.

If a student can't read, how does that get better by moving them to the next grade so they can fall behind even more?

Holding failing students back provides some incentive to do the work, an incentive completely absent today because there are no requirements needed to move on to the next grade or even to graduate.

5. Stop blaming parents.

That's the favorite past time of teachers and their fringe-left acolytes.

It's NEVER the teacher’s fault. It's ALWAYS the parent's fault.

To hear them tell it.

I had two high schooler's graduate from Hockinson High School, one with a 3.6 and the other with a 3.1.

They did the work. As parents, we WERE involved. We checked their homework. We helped them to study, gave them tricks and pointers. We were proud of their academic achievement.

And neither one of them could pass the Clark College math placement test. (one has a 4-year degree now from WSU-V. The other did 2 years in college)

Explain it to me like I'm a 6-year-old.

The responsibility for those outcomes rests ENTIRELY on those who taught the subjects and graded the papers.

Not the parents.
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There may be, and most likely are, other steps that can be taken. But what Oregon schools are doing now simply does not work. And it's insane to continue to do the same thing, over and over, while expecting a different outcome.

We can do better. Leftist intransigence while the sky actually IS falling is a critical element in the disaster that is not only Oregon’s educational outcomes but those of the entire United States.

We can fix it. But as always, it boils down to this single question: Do we have the will?

Congratulations to Oregon for committing ritual economic suicide tonight with the "YES" votes on 66 and 67.

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That's a well done... and now we can all sit back and watch the business/job/people exodus to Clark County begin.

Good job, morons.
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The new "WELCOME" sign for the State of Oregon. (Picture)

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Grabbed a snap of this over on Jantzen Beach.


JJUUUUUUUUST kidding.

This effort via Doug Ross @ Journal
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Oregon blows it: Blount should not only be suspended... he should go to prison.

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Can somebody... anybody... explain to me why it is that this thug wasn't arrested on the spot?

The game was over. This moron sucker-punched a Boise State player who had removed his helmet while this scumbag courageously had his own still on.

There shouldn't be some sort of magic force-field surrounding football players that allows them to commit felony assault on nation-wide television without immediate arrest, subsequent trial and subsequent imprisonment.

If I were to have just walked up to this moron and popped HIM in the mouth, wouldn't *I* be subject to arrest and etc, etc, etc?

Of course I would. And this clown is no different.

Oregon didn't go nearly far enough. Like any other criminal, his thoughtless act injured another, cast a pall over an entire organization and state, and reminds us all of the Jailblazers.

For that, this scumbag SHOULD have not only been kicked off the team, he SHOULD have been expelled from the school and tried for assault. His scholarship COULD have gone to someone much more deserving... someone much more understanding of the honor being done in exchange for playing a game... someone who could appreciate the sacrifice made by the taxpayers to pay for this man's education.

Instead, we get this garbage:

The response came Friday afternoon, as the Ducks suspended Blount for the season, but allowed him to remain with the team. He will retain his scholarship; he will be allowed to practice; he will have access to support staff such as trainers and tutors.

Why anyone would want to have a lowlife like this one infesting their organization is simply beyond me. And the concern for BLOUNT, of all things, shows that many have a screw loose in their respective thinking processes.

Clearly, Blount has no business being in college football. His actions were an affront to the sport, a fact that is ironic when you consider that Blount and other players from both teams took part in a new NCAA-mandated handshake prior to kickoff. All in the name of sportsmanship, or something like that.

But you have to wonder what would have become of Blount had he been completely removed from the team. You have to wonder whether he would have stayed in school, whether he would have graduated, how he would have reacted to having his entire life ripped away because of one incident.

Actually, you have to wonder those things now. But at least he has an opportunity.

What? I "have to wonder?" First, the idea that his "entire life has been ripped away" as if HE wasn't the one doing the tearing... as if he was now going to DIE or something, is utter, blithering, nonsense.

He, presumably, will have his health. He has 3 years of education already completed and paid. I know of hundreds... if not millions... who would gladly, cheerfully and instantly trade places with this idiot in a New York second.

How could ANYONE believe that this minor suspension, as opposed to the multiple penalties he SHOULD have suffered, equates to his "entire life being ripped away" has a screw loose.

The ONLY thing I HAVE to wonder is why or how is it that a thug like this could possibly be going to what is, allegedly, a major institution of higher learning on the taxpayer's dime.

The LAST thing that's going to happen is that I will worry about what would happen to this idiot after he was expelled and after he completed his well-deserved sentence in prison.

In short, I don't CARE what would happen to him. With a mentality that could possibly result in this sort of behavior, does ANYONE have ANY doubt what's going to happen to him... either now... or later?

And this garbage about "these poor, little old 18-22 year old kids?"

When I was 17 and 5 months old, I was fully deployed as a member of the Recon Platoon for an Infantry Battalion in the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany.

Who had the greater responsibility? Who had the most pressure... the most adverse living and working conditions? Blount.... or me?

Yet, I managed not to behave like a psychotic. So the "age" argument has absolutely nothing to back it.

Yes, I do agree... this IS a "teachable moment." And in this case, what he's being taught is that there are few consequences for engaging in felony assault if you're a major college football player.

Where he SHOULD be getting his "teachable moments" are in a prison cell with Bubba.

Meanwhile, this clown keeps the benefits of being a member of a major college football team, keeps his multi-thousand dollar per month scholarship, and continues to get a FREE education while being required to do even LESS to earn it.

Yeah. THAT'LL teach him.

I had little respect for the Ducks BEFORE this happened. Now, I have none at all.

They COULD have sent a message that would have reverberated across this country when it comes to accountability and college athletics, a message that when you act like an animal, you can feel free to do it some place else.

Unfortunately, the message they sent will have the opposite effect... sending the opposite message.

And some are proud of that. Although only God knows why.

You heard it here first: Blount will be back in uniform before the season is over, because, well, he's "suffered enough."

Why else would they want this clown to keep practicing with the team... keep hanging around them?
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