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Former Bush Administration education official Bill Evers listens to the Capistrano Unified school board debate the an AP World History textbook. June 12, 2013. Patch photo by: Penny Arévalo
nobody June 16, 2013 at 08:50 pm
"Do you not encourage critical thinking?" "you not want well informed, reasonedRead More thinking taking all points into consideration? Are AP students in your experience weak minded?" Julie, please. Of course not! This is what too liberal means!!!
Dan Avery June 17, 2013 at 09:36 am
wow. A. The Bush Administration with "No Child Left Behind" was the worst thing that everRead More happened to education in this country because it stopped all critical thought and tests students on their ability to memorize answers to standardized tests. Why are we listening to Dr. Evers? B. Mr. Reardon has a very cogent argument regarding why he didn't choose to adopt the 6th edition. Clearly content isn't the problem for him that it would appear to be for the rest of the board. Either that or Mr. Reardon is smart enough to spin it to sound rational. Which would mean Dr. Evers is a complete fool. Why are we listening to Dr. Evers? C. Jeff is the product of the conservative education Dr. Evers, a majority of the board, and some of the parents here want all kids to become. He hates his brother to the point of wanting the man to die alone in the street. Why are we listening to Dr. Evers, et.al.? D. The History textbook they used on me taught me that G. Washington chopped down a cherry tree, tossed a silver dollar across the Potomac River, that "Indians" were savages, actually used the pejorative term "Sioux," and failed to mention that this country committed wholesale genocide for well over 150 years. Is that the sort of "history" book ya'll want?
Shripathi Kamath June 17, 2013 at 11:36 am
'Is that the sort of "history" book ya'll want?" asks Avery. Well, unless oneRead More refuses to accept the DoI, it's kinda hard. A charge against the King of England: "He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, ***the merciless Indian Savages***, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions." I had no idea that the king would excite savages to attack taxpaying Americans. Why would he do that? So that they can pay lesser taxes? Concur that Mr. Reardon is one smart cookie.
Patch file photo. Credit: D.FrankSmith
Capo mom June 13, 2013 at 07:23 pm
Dave, you are amusing. And a good example of what tolerance and diversity look like in publicRead More education. Please keep posting.
Shripathi Kamath June 13, 2013 at 07:47 pm
"Slavery was not a major cause of the civil war? " I know you ask this with bewildermentRead More Dave, but I exposed this a while back. Needless to say there were no takers. Modern day Confederates stayed away:http://bit.ly/uM5sxs This is what I had asked: "Assume for a moment the Civil War was about "States' rights." We all know that the Union defeated the Confederacy. If it was indeed over rights and not just one right, simply enumerate the rights that the victors stripped away from the Confederate states, other than the one taken away by the 13th Amendment. What were these other rights, and why don’t the declarations of secession cite them as grievously as they do the right to own slaves?'
fact checker June 14, 2013 at 08:29 pm
Educators should be selecting textbooks.
Chris Korpi. Patch file photo.
thejellyfish June 11, 2013 at 10:39 am
Thank you Penny.
InformedParent June 11, 2013 at 01:03 pm
It looks like justice will prevail this time! Hopefully, these players won't engage in such dirtyRead More (and illegal) politics next time. I really wish the voters of CUSD would pay attention to what the candidates are doing and the lows they are willing to go to keep power.
Capo mom June 11, 2013 at 02:11 pm
Korpi's attorney is an idiot. After months of denying the truth, he admits that Korpi engaged inRead More the behavior he is accused of, saying "Mr. Korpi engaged in protected political commentary, that the plaintiff suffered no cognizable injury and has no viable claim". Really? That is his excuse for Korpi's lies and bad behavior? This of absolutely no consequences in criminal court, which is where this ought to be headed when they are done with the depositions in civil court. It will be interesting to see just how dirty the hands of Korpi's clients CUEA/Children's First's trustees (Alpay and Pritchard) are. Birds of a feather and all ...
California Preparatory Academy's website. Courtesy Capistrano Unified School District
Becky Honkington May 28, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Amazing is the most overused / watered down word in the English language. It was once used toRead More describe something outstanding and wonderful but it has been bastardized by middle-class teenaged girls on Facebook.
Yeparoo May 28, 2013 at 02:11 pm
Now that this school is on the chopping block, does that mean that the proposed STEAM school isRead More nothing but hot air too? Need to also look into adjusting some boundaries and closing some schools. Maybe sell some properties off.
Lawrene Bottorf May 28, 2013 at 06:42 pm
Hmmm...why am I not surprised? This would be such a great option, but it wasn't marketedRead More properly....
Patch file photo. Credit: Penny Arévalo
fact checker May 29, 2013 at 03:19 pm
Every staggered day program has half of the students for about 100 minutes, all of the students forRead More about 100 minutes, and then the other half for 100 minutes. So each student has 100 minutes of a very small class size. The 15 was an estimate. If the class has 36 students then there will be 18 in those small groups.
M June 9, 2013 at 07:32 am
Well the district approves of 55-60 students in P.E. classes so they are NOT looking at reducingRead More class sizes there. Putting the furlough days at the end of the year is the best thing they ever did. With Common Core standards be implemented next year across the core classes teachers will be teaching more (which is a good thing no complaint here) so maybe a longer school year won't be necessary. I would love to see more campus supervisors (trained) on campuses to deal with the latest electronic cigarettes craze.....as well as drugs, alcohol and bullying going on.
C M June 14, 2013 at 07:33 pm
I would love to see more campus supervision. I don't know about all the junior highs in ourRead More district, but the one I know about only has one campus supervisor.
Crosses symbolize the students who died on Wednesday at Santa Margarita Catholic.
MFriedrich May 16, 2013 at 04:17 pm
Nice job. I'm in favor of educating youth and young adults about the consequences. Trauma,Read More physical pain, emotional suffering and devastation, financial loss, anger and frustration that DUI victims and family members commonly experience. Another powerful method is to invite young, convicted drunk drivers who have killed or injured victims to speak at schools. Unfortunately many parents object to this because the stories are deemed too emotional. But these are true stories and lessons that need to be shared with those who consider themselves invincible. Besides with teenagers and young adults, it's real stories that persuade, not statistics or gimmicky commercials. Websites like http://www.facesofdrunkdriving.com/ are very powerful. But when you meet face to face with the young DUI driver in person, and absorb the consequences of their decisions, man it hits home. Like this: http://www.sarahsjourney.com/pictures.html http://www.tricities.com/news/article_464b5d6c-79e7-11e2-8acd-001a4bcf6878.html
California Gov. Brown. Patch file photo.
Capo mom May 17, 2013 at 05:40 pm
fact checker, as you are certainly aware, CTA must approve any curriculum that is implemented in theRead More state of California. That being said, there is no requirement that this be done using categorical funds. This was done to direct money as CTA desired. It offers no benefit students in CUSD. LaAna, please be accurate. I don't attack teachers.
fact checker May 17, 2013 at 05:52 pm
I am not aware that CTA must approve any curriculum implemented in CA. Please cite your source.Read More As for attacking teachers, please read your posts on just this one thread. Here's just one direct quote: "I don't see anything so radical in it that would require our already (presumed) expert teachers to need a billion dollars worth of training." As has been pointed out the billion dollars is targeted for EVERY part of implementation, not just teacher training. You really have trouble seeing past your dislike for teachers to see what this article is really saying. This is often the case.
Yeparoo May 20, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Got to give Gov. Brown credit for recognizing that the surplus is a "one off" situation.Read More I wouldn't be surprised if the planned budget will be smaller in FYI 14-15 than it is 13-14. The analysts that answered questions about why next year is anticipated to be lower were hilarious. Japan, workers working less hours, China, North Korea (seriously). It will be lower next year because companies and people were taking profits, accelerating dividend and cap gains and delaying deductions to avoid the 2013 FEDERAL tax increase. With his hands tied with Props 98/111 and needing to spend those funds on ED, CC does make some sense. I can't speak to the strategy and timing of how the the money is being spent. I would have preferred that districts been allowed to retire as much debt as possible to reduce cash flow to debt servicing, and increasing the amount of cash flow that could be spent on ED.
shelly May 14, 2013 at 03:43 pm
Dawn, This issue has been discussed in our district for years!!!!! I remember writing postcards toRead More Sacramento about this issue when my oldest son was in 1st grade! The budget discussions are open to the public. The board meeting agendas are open to the public. Is it always someone else's fault?
LeAna Bui May 14, 2013 at 06:02 pm
Dawn: From what I can see of what you post, you lay the root of all problems at the foot of CUSD'sRead More door. I do not. Short of spoon feeding this information to voters, how do you propose CUSD "educate" the public?? As Shelly noted, this has been an issued discussed in CUSD for YEARS. In my first one-on-one meeting Jim Fleming (in 1992! before kids!!), he pointed out this disparity then and referred me to the PTA people who were taking the lead then in case I was interested in lending my voice. In my PTA days, the representatives in Sacramento always commented the large and vocal contingent that visited Sacramento from 4th district. As parents and voters, we were trying and CUSD supported our efforts. At some point, voters must take some responsibility for their lack of knowledge and insight and quit pointing at others.
fact checker May 15, 2013 at 08:34 am
Good news for CUSD seems to be bad news for Dawn.
Capo Parent May 11, 2013 at 09:17 pm
Your post is spot on about the realities of a board meeting, especially when it comes to CUSDRead More bargaining with employee groups. Bryson is a political whore. She's trying to make herself look worthy enough to takeover the seat currently held by Harkey. The only thing Hatton cares about is STEAM. I'm glad at least a couple of trustees thanked you for appearing and commenting.
shelly May 11, 2013 at 11:14 pm
Capo parent, Do you call men who are in politics that name?
Capo Parent May 17, 2013 at 09:14 pm
Shelly Being what I assume you're a female, I am surprised you don't understand the termRead More "whore." Whore definition, a woman who engages in promiscuous sexual intercourse, usually for money; prostitute; harlot; strumpet. So in answer to your question the answer is no. However, notwithstanding my stance, feel free to use the term however you want.
Capo Parent May 7, 2013 at 04:05 pm
I guess you're all about the $. Nothing wrong with the story line, In your critique you convenientlyRead More forget to mention that Penny asked CUSD for info and clarification and got neither. I guess you're CUSD's de facto mouth piece given your postings. I guess more hot air will follow.
Capo Parent May 7, 2013 at 04:12 pm
According to my high schooler, Friday was movie day. Given the number of classrooms showing moviesRead More that day and that week CUSD should have offered popcorn and made some extra $. ADA + popcorn cash = no education, but more mula.
fact checker May 8, 2013 at 06:53 pm
You can't have it both ways mom. It either cost money or saved money. No need to debate history.Read More Your opinions are clear.
Capo Parent May 2, 2013 at 07:34 pm
Hopefully, this is the beginning of a period of honesty and transparency by CUSD. It has told soRead More many lies about the Taj Mahal that it was hard to discern the lies from the truth.
fact checker May 8, 2013 at 01:17 pm
I'm sure the local Patch will be posting an article similar to that in Newport.Read More http://newportbeach.patch.com/articles/newsweeks-ranks-newport-high-schools-among-america-s-best
Mission Viejo Mom May 8, 2013 at 08:10 pm
This article really tells the truth about those best high school lists.Read More http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/04/education/in-best-high-schools-lists-numbers-dont-tell-all.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Mission Viejo Mom May 8, 2013 at 08:14 pm
Of the nation’s 26,000 high schools, about 2,000 sent data, and of those, 1,000 were named toRead More the list, meaning any school with a little gumption has a 50 percent chance of being a best.
William April 26, 2013 at 07:50 pm
Dawn... you forgot to mention the cost involved to teach English-Learners (illegal-alien children).Read More But that's OK with CUSD. Do your kids a favor and place them in a private school where they will receive a quality education... where lousy teachers are fired and no teacher union exists. Your kids will thank you some day.
fact checker April 26, 2013 at 07:58 pm
William, I think your kids might thank you more for teaching them the value of every human being,Read More whether they speak English or not.
E S May 4, 2013 at 12:37 am
Dawn's on her soapbox again with incorrect information.
Dan Avery May 11, 2013 at 06:44 pm
I outgrew Ayn Rand in the eighth grade when I read "The Catcher in the Rye," and thenRead More moved on to "Nine Stories", "Franny and Zooey", and "Raise High The Roof Beams Carpenters: Seymour An Introduction." I just assumed everyone else did too.
Dan Avery May 11, 2013 at 06:53 pm
My point, em, which by the way is a screen and not your real name, is that clearly we are focusingRead More on the wrong things. Her comment was far too general for a high school comment and it points to the reason that I had to spend my time teaching how to write a clear thesis in the highest level composition class offered at UCI. California bounces between ranking 46th and 48th nationally when it comes to education. I was educated in Minnesota, which always ranks somewhere in the top five for education. So before you question my high school essays you need to know that. Far from trolling I am pointing to a very serious national problem. California is a very populated state and its people are ill-educated. Were they not, you might have read more into my comment and realized the intent behind it.
Kara May 12, 2013 at 02:11 am
Fingertip length dresses, thick straps on tank tops, and longer shorts are simply not the styleRead More nowadays. It's unrealistic to expect girls to be able to find this type of clothing - I have yet to see a single store that sells longer shorts for girls as longer clothing is an outdated style. If the weather is warm out, what's wrong with wearing clothing that allows you to be cool and comfortable as long as it isn't hurting anyone else? If a teacher or a male student is "distracted" by the extra four inches of leg or exposed shoulders (both of which are body parts that are completely neutral), perhaps they should reconsider why they feel the need to deem the worth of another person by the amount of skin they're showing. Instead of teaching girls that the solution to being oversexualized by their peers is to cover up and avoid the problem perhaps everyone (teachers, students, and parents of any gender) should be taught to view everyone with respect regardless of what they are wearing.
Lauren May 14, 2013 at 08:50 pm
wow. rot in hell? that's a little insensitive don't you think? both of these families are hurting atRead More this time. why don't you just step back and think about that.
Lauren May 14, 2013 at 08:55 pm
I think that both families are still hurting. All of these hateful comments are sickening. Why don'tRead More you all have a little respect for both families at this time? Thank you.
Lauren May 14, 2013 at 09:00 pm
agree you with TR. Zoe and K and M why don't you have a little respect for both families. You haveRead More no right talking about Kaelyn like that.
Rebecca Goddard April 13, 2013 at 12:46 am
People are raising buffoons with no common sense!!! Nice gojng
Parent April 13, 2013 at 02:51 am
How fast was that car going to create so much damage, especially around a school? I hope someone isRead More in jail. Thank god no one was seriously injured. THHS PARENT
Danny Jones April 14, 2013 at 03:28 am
And this is why the driving age be raised and/or requirements to drive a vehicle need to be moreRead More harsh. Too many young (inexperienced) and dumb kids behind the wheel. Yes practive makes perfect, BUT- these kids need to learn to be more confident behind the wheel!