The Political Hazards of Changing High School Standards

In “The Political Hazards of Changing High School Standards,” by Ross Ramsey, from the Texas Tribune, one main issue that struck my attention was the idea of lessening standardized test or even altering the graduation requirements for high school students. This concept of increasing the graduation rates of those who either drop out or can’t obtain a high school degree, in my opinion, is only setting up those who feel are college ready but really aren’t, in a bad situation to possibly fail. Seeing how everyone differs, a college degree or high school diploma isn’t always needed to be successful. The amount of dedication you put into anything is what determines your success. Skilled jobs that are in demand for those who not always have a high school diploma or college degree to present tend to be filled with these people. You can both be optimistic and make the most of what you have, or be pessimistic and argue that this is quite discriminating to say. No alteration of the graduation requirements for high school should be made, in my opinion, due to the fact that what you should make use of what special skills you may possess. Again, not everyone is the same. We all attain different traits and qualities, and no offense should be made with the idea that school may not always be for everyone. It’s not what you want to get that matters, it’s what you can make with what you already have that makes a person successful.

I commented on Jamie's "Unplanned Parenthood" article.

I am in full agreement with Jamie’s response towards the opposition of this bill SB 521 that deliberately wants to opt out sex education in public schools. Seeing how the rate of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases declined, due to these courses being taught within schools across the nation, not only brought a positive outlook towards eliminating these errors but eased the discomfort parents would have to endure when speaking to their children regarding these topics. Dismissal of this bill, I feel, would continue to decay the amount of teen pregnancies in this country and bring a justice to eliminate unnecessary diseases that shouldn’t be undergone by anyone.

Course Correction

According to Dan Patrick, a Republican senator from Houston, a tweak in the Undergraduate’s course requirements is seen to have a positive outcome. With bill SB-1128 to be passed, the main focus would be that the requirement for higher education history courses would be altered to six hours or credits of American History, or three hours or credits of Texas History along with three hours or credits of American History. With the advantage that a more vague and broad set of choices are allowed to be marked as required hours, like the cultural history of drugs and alcohol and many other courses available, the stakes are seen as high but not impossible. The idea behind this would be that the students in general would have a better understanding of History as opposed to what was simply learned in a year span in High School.

Personally, I wouldn’t agree with this bill due to the fact that I despise History related topics to a great degree. Being more of a math whiz doesn’t catch my eye when referencing this bill of extending history courses to an extent. Although I wouldn’t be affected as much as the following students, I still feel that this bill might only bring a tougher requirement to those who aren’t as fond of history courses as I am. I strongly encourage and support the higher education requirements for undergraduates, also known as “basics,” to stay in the current condition that they are as of now, with no need for change.

No increase in jail population as yet

In the political blog “No increase in jail population as yet” by Charles Kuffner deliberately suggests that a Lykos policy in which treats cases with drug residue of less than 1/100th of a gram as misdemeanors should be avoided to see if the expenses of incarcerating people with this possession of drugs declines and brings good results. With the intended audience directed at the people of Harris County, and credibility sources, such as interviews with District Attorney Mike Anderson, the claim or position Charles Kuffner takes is quite neutral. Stating the facts of how much the jail population has dropped since September of 2008 and how the sheriff’s office has come in under budget twice in a row due to this decline in jail population, the logical correlation with all of these circumstances is seen to become a positive outcome. Reading this blog gave me the sense that when something doesn’t work, you should maybe change it up and try something new, thus making my claim for this opposition of the Lykos policy and in support of taking the alternative route of treatment rather than incarceration when dealing with felony offenses. Not only will it bring fewer expenses, but will also benefit those who are dealing with these drug addictions. Helping them in the long wrong rather than coming right back into jail or prison, depending on the offense, will benefit not only those with these offenses but also the public as well by allowing them to become a productive member of society.

http://offthekuff.com/wp/?p=51621

Texas church to host handgun license class

On Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, Austin American Statesman posted an article that addressed a Baptist church near the Panhandle of Texas holding a concealed handgun training class. Basically stating that it would form a more secure environment, the 10 hour class is to be held on March 2 at the fellowship hall. If successful, two more classes will be followed after along with other offerings. With people from all across the region showing interest in this offering, more than half of those enrolled already are women and school teachers. I found this interesting because the irony of a church promoting concealed handgun training is unusual in any religion.