NJ Gov.... neuters Teachers Union before a live audience.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

525K? My place is worth 300K. Just makes the taxes look even worse, doesn't it

It certainly makes another reason (you don't want to know how long the list is) not to live in Joisey.

[^_^ 5,021]

It certainly makes another reason (you don't want to know how long the list is) not to live in Joisey.

You would be a misfit here anyway.

[Danno 1,228]

This guy has some interesting points about NJ's education system, but it's disingenuous Danno to assume this applies to every state; when education systems vary greatly.

On a wider note about the state of education in this country, prior to the 2007 financial crisis and when the US was doing okay, the US ranked poorly [18th I believe] versus the rest of the OECD in terms of education. Where do you guys [yes Danno] think the country is going to end up now following the crisis? With all of these massive cuts in education. Common sense goes along way here.

You are no longer a manufacturing nation and have few products left worth exporting [buying], therefore, education is your only option for the future.

Point one: Where did I suggest NJ's education problems are indicative of other states?

Point two: As for the level of Funding and how it reflects on the end product, please make your case.

Funding has doubled, tripped and more and we see very modest improvements... if any at all.

Locate the top 100 best performing schools and take note of their funding levels.

[mawilson 2,133]

Q: IS he presidential material?

Yes, but he said he wasn't interested. He likes New Jersey and doesn't want to move to DC.

I pay over 7K now, on a 1500-1600 sq foot townhome. And they're handing out ipads at taxpayer expense to school kids in Morristown, I hope that ish doesn't catch on or I be looking at 8K soon.

You live close to Morristown?

[^_^ 5,021]

You live close to Morristown?

Not close, not far. We've talked about this before, I'm in the Edison-New Brunswick area.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

And they're handing out ipads at taxpayer expense to school kids in Morristown

That's because bulk-purchased computers cost less than textbooks that get used 3-4 yrs before getting dumped for being outdated and need to be repurchased.

[^_^ 5,021]

That's because bulk-purchased computers cost less than textbooks that get used 3-4 yrs before getting dumped for being outdated and need to be repurchased.

The iPads are being used as learning aids, not textbook replacements.

[luckytxn 2,265]

I like this guy a lot.

I thought my taxes were high but I guess not.

[Pooky 3,825]

I like this guy a lot.

I thought my taxes were high but I guess not.

He's certainly a rarity - a politician who listens to and answers the question

[^_^ 5,021]

He likes New Jersey and doesn't want to move to DC.

DC is one of the few places in this country we in Jersey can look down our noses at. It's nice.

Edited September 11, 2010 by Legacy member

[luckytxn 2,265]

He's certainly a rarity - a politician who listens to and answers the question

We have one too where I live and he's a Congressman by the name of Ron Paul.

[Heracles 417]

Point one: Where did I suggest NJ's education problems are indicative of other states?

Point two: As for the level of Funding and how it reflects on the end product, please make your case.

Funding has doubled, tripped and more and we see very modest improvements... if any at all.

Locate the top 100 best performing schools and take note of their funding levels.

I have, Australia, who is currently ranked #1 in the entire world under the international education index. Teachers start out at $50K.

Oh you mean US, which is ranked 20th in the world, though the Virginia / Maryland side of the DC area has some of the best schools in the entire nation. A lot of teachers from Jersey move here actually. Not only are teachers paid well but as an example, Fairfax county schools spends $2.2 billion on education in their county alone. Their highly ranked and excellent performing schools speak for themselves.

The extra funding you mention is due is being the massive recruitment for ESOL teachers Danno. Search my posts from three to four years ago and you will find me saying that services are being taken away from American students to pay for the extra 5 to 10 ESOL teachers required per school. Now you guys are claiming the system is not working. Deerr, what did you guys think is going to happen under this scenario? Get better? Why else do you think public education is residency tested in countries like AUS.

I will say it again though, one of the issues with education in the US is the system. Rather than consolidating and running it on a state level, it's setup for the 1800 days. There is a massive duplication of bureaucracy at every county and city. Not to mention, if you want the best teachers, you have to pay for them.

Edited September 11, 2010 by Heracles

[luckytxn 2,265]

Our school district is among the most expensive and also ranked among the highest in all categories. The teachers pay is among the highest also and the schools gets funded as time goes to keep revamping to stay that way. If you want the best you have to pay up. Saying that though if the money is not there then it is very appropriate to ask for and receive a flat rate increase or a freeze. Automatic increases tied to inflation are fine when the money is there. Also if there are huge increases in premiums then there is nothing wrong in asking teachers to start burdening some of the costs. As the man said, he asked and was refused so what had to happen. They had to lay off teachers and that means that the remaining teachers had to be burdened with additional students and many teachers are now out of job. The state has a budget to go through. It is all and good to just say to raise taxes but that means the funds will come next year not this year if the taxes raise revenue at all. Many companies leave for greener pastures or go out of business when taxes are raised a certain amount. So the States have to watch out on the level of taxes. It is a tight rope. I applaud this man for saying how it is. Her saw a shortage and asked for concessions. He was refused and not only that he is castigated. The Feds can just print more money but the state can't.

Edited September 11, 2010 by luckytxn

[Danno 1,228]

I have, Australia, who is currently ranked #1 in the entire world under the international education index. Teachers start out at $50K.

Oh you mean US, which is ranked 20th in the world, though the Virginia / Maryland side of the DC area has some of the best schools in the entire nation. A lot of teachers from Jersey move here actually. Not only are teachers paid well but as an example, Fairfax county schools spends $2.2 billion on education in their county alone. Their highly ranked and excellent performing schools speak for themselves.

The extra funding you mention is due is being the massive recruitment for ESOL teachers Danno. Search my posts from three to four years ago and you will find me saying that services are being taken away from American students to pay for the extra 5 to 10 ESOL teachers required per school. Now you guys are claiming the system is not working. Deerr, what did you guys think is going to happen under this scenario? Get better? Why else do you think public education is residency tested in countries like AUS.

I will say it again though, one of the issues with education in the US is the system. Rather than consolidating and running it on a state level, it's setup for the 1800 days. There is a massive duplication of bureaucracy at every county and city. Not to mention, if you want the best teachers, you have to pay for them.

Thanks for your reply but you hardly showed how investing more money in the teachers unions has brought (or bought) success in the class room.

I know you are a big fan of all education being turned over to a national control.

But how does NOT doing that prevent say.... California or NY from competing with similar sized countries around the world?

IN fact today the Federal Gov't has more control than ever and many could make the case to no real benefit.

I'm open minded to try different things, but clearly money is not the answer because others right here in this country are doing a lot more for a fraction of whats spent per public student.