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Saturday, April 30, 2011
Tigard Tualatin School district graduation rates update
The recent graduation figures being passed around related to graduation rates at the TTSD improve the picture
enough that some clarification, and adjustment can be provided.
Based upon these recent numbers
it appears that students who have met alternative graduation criteria were perhaps being included in past
reports of those numbers of students failing to graduate, or graduate on time.
I do not agree with this,
at this date.
Based upon recent and more comprehensive reports it would
now appear that approx 12% of the students fail to "graduate" in any fashion, while another approx 7%
of the student receive their graduation though alternative programs or a 5th year of attendance in a more traditional
setting.
Any discrepancy between these two figures could be even better clarified based upon knowing
how many of the students that return for a 5th year of High School receive their graduation credentials.
I find what I call a disenfranchisement rate of approx 12% still to be a number indicative of serious reflection
and concern.
I think it would be of real value to conduct exit interviews of this approx 12%, anonymous of course, include as well those students that have received alternative graduation documents, or have returned
for a 5th year.. The collected data may be very useful.
So for purposes of clarity,
and better accuracy, in this post we will no longer be including in the "drop out, or failed to graduate category"
those students that appear to have received alternative graduation credentials, or late "returning for a 5th
year" graduation credentials.
The thing that leaps out at me from these newer figures, is
that it appears that the Tigard Tualatin school district is in solid striking distance of lowering the graduation
failure rates, to where we would like to see them, (5% to 10%), by addressing in a more comprehensive fashion,
issues of cultural bias.
Then with the inverse being true. graduation rates in the 90% to 95% range
would then be clearly possible.
This is where we think they should be, as a next stage goal nationally.
Then perhaps after real health care reform is enacted, defence spending is reduced to a more sustainable/ supportable level, needed prison/judicial, and a rational tax base is re-established at a national level...Perhaps
then with the 100's of billions of dollars that would become available for redirected priorities...we
could aim at getting our"graduation" rates up to 99% or better.
I do like using the term "disenfranchisement
rate" in linked dialog with the term/concept/discussions around "graduation"..because for many
that is what it is/or represents.
CSM
It does appear that the 4 yr completion rate for Tigard
High has unfortunately dropped by approx 3 points or so.
9:02 am pdt
Friday, April 29, 2011
Recent Tornadoes In Southern U.S. Result of Global Weather Pattern Changes?
Recent reports concerning the causes, or accounting for, the wave of tornadoes so far in 2011, especially those
that have just hit, appear somewhat problematic to me.
So far April, 2011 has had approx 4 times the average
number of tornadoes for this time of the year, and approx twice the highest number previously reported.
I find reported statements that this increase is primarily the result of better reporting, problematic.
I also find the reported statements that have said, ( that while it may be possible to link an increase in the
noted types of weather patterns that can create tornadoes to human caused weather pattern change...It is not possible to then link the four fold increase in actual tornadoes to these self same processes?,) as highly suspect,
and intellectually unsound on their face.
Now, here comes May.
CSM
From a scientific stand
point we'll need to see what the next couple of years produce.
3:43 pm pdt
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Fed chairman Bernanke to make regular T.V. appearances
Just another one of our suggestions that appears to have met with some agreement or similar thoughts/opinion,
at least in some part by like minded thinkers.
CSM
8:41 am pdt
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
S&P downgrades projected future to "Negative"
I believe that the last time this happened was in the mid to late 1990's,..I'm thinking like 1996 or so?
It is important that we do not interpret the fact that this has happened before as a reason to view current
status as being less serious than it is.
It is very important that everything that is taking place is
used as collective data in the determination of future varied economic social, and environmental projections.
Colin Stuart McCoy
12:21 pm pdt
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Washington late freeze damages fruit harvest
In Washington state a late freeze is expected to cause approx 25% to a 50% loss in this years fruit harvest.
Declaring these areas of the state for disaster relief is being considered.
CSM
9:52 am pdt
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
President Obama's speech today on economic plan
I really like how President Obama communicates through his speeches.
I appreciated just about everything
he delivered on his outline for economic/deficit reform today.
However, there is often a problem between
making a speech, and then turning it into effective action or results.
Now we'll have to wait and see.
Also, a problem that I am beginning to see ever more clearly is just how far behind we are, in respect to
where we need to be, in creating the needed economic/environmental/social, reforms we require in order
to avoid the serious problems heading in our collective direction, compared to where we actually are.
I found myself respecting/appreciating the Presidents speech, while at the same time recognizing that even if President Obama achieved success at the levels he outlined, it would still fall far short of what is
needed in order for humanity to collectively avoid the problems that continue to approach.
CSM Update: It's being reported, and video feeds support said reports.. Reps for Republican Corp USA express outrage over President Obama's speech.
I think the tea partiers are about to quickly find out which
sleeping giant they have perhaps managed to awaken.. I.E. The educated, moderate progressives, whom I believe
represent a clear majority of voters in the USA.
Republican Corp USA, "if" they force a "dust
up" are about to get a bums rush, just like a drunk in an old western movie being thrown out the front door
of the saloon.
(Of couse if such does manage to come to pass, we can then expect
the "Special interest groups, Corporate lobbyists" to un-due, stall or reverse the positive potential
of such an out come..The new U.S. historical norm.)
There was a similar process that led to Obama's
electoral victory..gains squandered/ serious mistakes made...but this next surge if/when it materializes will
sweep these unproductive processes of thought and politics into the dust bin of USA history..perhaps for good.
My concerns continue to be as previously posted, while I have serious problems that have continued within the ranks of the Democrats..For example.. the weakness of the health reform plan, as well as my belief that
some aspects of said plan are unconstitutional..I.E mandatory purchase requirements.
I believe that with
the Democrats at least some remote chance for survival and needed social evolutions exists, no matter how remote...
But you listen to the Republican corp, or Tea Party Republicans and the ignorance is so profound, the lack of needed awareness so complete, that the chance for needed progress to occur, and even the possibility
for our nations survival is reduced to almost a zero probability..Even if you allow for the occurance of massive
amounts of completely avoidable human pain and suffering, and environmental collapse.
Colin Stuart McCoy
As far as my less than glowing analysis of both the Republican and Democratic parties here in the U.S. I
want to be clear that both party's have their share of good ideas, positive productive members, ect...
Yes,
I do believe the Democrats have more of both. Also in no way does my making note of these positives change my overall
analysis mentioned above.
12:12 pm pdt
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Glenn Becks show to end on Fox
We'll take any good news indicating functional levels of rational thought in major media that we can get.
What took so long???oh, it's Fox
CSM
2:49 pm pdt
Friday, April 1, 2011
Recent Improved Jobs Data Appears Solid
Recent positive reports of new job creation appears legit. If trend continues, as some say it will, positive implications for U.S. clear.
Our position as to unemployment figures has not changed, numbers do not reflect
actual numbers of those impacted by unemployment.
Housing value situation remains grim. (Did not need to get this bad.)
But... an improvement in the jobs situation, from any start point is still improvement.
Related..let us hope that reports claiming that a Gov. shutdown over operating budget disputes, being able to push U.S. economy are either mistaken, or if true, are not given a chance to materialize.
Also let us
hope that reports claiming that the U.S. executive branch is willing to make unwise concession over weakening our
much needed EPA protections, in order to keep Gov operating, are false.
CSM
10:42 am pdt
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