Disqus - Latest Comments for Compassrose

Re: The Campaign to Sabotage Texas’s Public Schools

Compassrose — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 16:07:35 -0000

Teacher unions do not control education in Texas. Teachers are not required to join a union and teachers have no collective bargaining power. The State Board of Education controls and dictates the standards taught in the classroom. Austin controls the government schools they rage against.

Re: Meghan Markle calling: Duchess lobbies Republican senators for paid family leave

Compassrose — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 17:22:02 -0000

Meghan seriously needs to pick a lane. The Duchess of Sussex has no place in American politics but Meghan Markle has every right to speak out. I will give her PR team kudos for jumping in to give her credit for getting family leave back in the bill. So far Nancy and Chuck have been silent on her influence and it doesn't seem she wowed those she called.

Re: The reason this mom won't let her son accept a perfect-attendance award

Compassrose — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 09:27:20 -0000

I would say the source of this entitlement is found in your last sentence - " had a parent that show and ream me out for firing them" and not a perfect attendance award they may have "won" in 4th grade. My experience with such entitled kids was they seldom, if ever, won the perfect attendance award. Sorry to keep tagging to this but this little award is probably more about schools needing to keep kids in desks for funding. Attendance has become a huge problem and was even tied to teacher assessments to determine how the teacher was encouraging students to come to school.

Re: The reason this mom won't let her son accept a perfect-attendance award

Compassrose — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 14:05:12 -0000

Then when your child "wins" this empty award, opt out as this mother did, but I have seen children that were proud they got up everyday and attended school and were recognized for doing so. It does exhibit responsibility and accountability not only for the child but the parents. If circumstances prevents a child from attending class, this award is not meant as a negative against them. For some attending has become a choice they make not because they couldn't but because they didn't. I never got a perfect attendance award and neither did my kids, but I was always happy for any child that did.

Re: The reason this mom won't let her son accept a perfect-attendance award

Compassrose — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 08:58:26 -0000

Schools do not monitor attendance for awards. Such data is collected as they are accounting if your child is in their care or not. Where I live the state only pays the school for students in attendance and attendance impacts funds. I have never seen a student sent to school to keep up a possible perfect attendance award, but I have seen an ill student sent to school because a parent cannot take off from work to stay home with their child. That is unfortunate but a reality. Generally, this is an award that just happens and is seldom pursued. Most children are pleasantly surprised they earn one. Crazy world when a perfect attendance award takes on such negative slant.

Re: Dan Patrick Accuses Joe Straus of Ponzi Scheme Ahead of Special Session

Compassrose — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 19:48:47 -0000

Patrick is shameless accusing Straus of using education as a political pool - just shameless. Patrick dislikes public education with a passion. I sat through a Senate Education meeting over which he presided. It was a beat down of public education and a total lovefest of charters/vouchers. They even had guest speakers from California telling how wonderful vouchers/charter are, and they had kids from a charter school lining the hall. After a brutal regular session for public education, Patrick now wants to give teachers a raise and even throw a bone to retired teachers after letting their medical insurance turn toxic. Don't be fooled. This is a switch and bait. In the end, such a bill will probably have a voucher attached to it.

Re: Morgan Spurlock Says Reality Winner's Alleged Leaking Isn't Treason (VIDEO)

Compassrose — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 08:40:42 -0000

Well, there you go. Morgan Spurlock says it is not treason so let her go. Not sure what authority Spurlock has on this or the level of information he has but does that matter.? We live by the headlines of random opinions of people we don't know to help pile on the drama.

Re: LETTER: Teacher With ALS Terminated, Not Granted Additional Sick Days

Compassrose — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 08:42:54 -0000

Absolutely agree with every word.

Re: Kim Kardashian Leaves Paris on Private Jet After Being Tied Up and Robbed of $11 Million in Jewelry

Compassrose — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 07:41:09 -0000

Glad they didn't hurt anyone as they "blew through red lights" getting out of town. Not sure if the robbery is staged, but the outfit sure is.

Re: Mom speaks out after 5-year-old paddled at school

Compassrose — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 10:21:53 -0000

It is not hard to get a doctor's note to excuse any real medical appointments and to avoid all this truancy drama. The fact she is filming this looks like she had every intent to "share" her "story" to elicit attention. Some people must have their phones on speed dial to their local new services to get their 15 minutes of fame or infamy. I feel sorry for this child because long after this event is over he will still have a mom short of parenting skills and maturity.

Re: Driving Mr. Scalia: Reporter fondly recalls trip across Washington state with late Supreme Court Justice

Compassrose — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 13:55:28 -0000

Great story.

Re: How Bailey Reimer’s kindergartners came to love testing

Compassrose — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:09:32 -0000

Scary that these babies are being indoctrinated to think a test is a true gauge of their learning. They will be happy little robots that will regurgitate specific information for a test while true learning is left unexplored. Seriously doubt the people that create these classroom would ever want their child in such a setting - drilling and practicing for tests. Can't we let kids get through kindergarten before we assume they aren't going to college? And 30 kindergarten students in a single class - ridiculous. Money for test but not for appropriately sized classes.

Re: Holiday German commercial: Horrible or brilliant?

Compassrose — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:16:54 -0000

Not to mention the movies that ridicule holiday family gatherings - always with an attractive hip young family member that barely tolerates their "eccentric" family members. They always portray their working class family as a bunch of rubes. Despite the fact they act like this only happens in America, it seems Germany has the same issues.

Re: Chelsea Clinton Goes Snorkeling With Diane von Furstenberg — See the New Mom's Fit Bikini Bod

Compassrose — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 13:36:01 -0000

But she still gives speeches and makes public appearances. This is indeed click bait and we all clicked. In my opinion, I find the comments of her appearance mean and pointless but it is the fate of any public figures.

Re: Chelsea Clinton Goes Snorkeling With Diane von Furstenberg — See the New Mom's Fit Bikini Bod

Compassrose — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 13:28:29 -0000

I was making no assessment of her skills as a reporter, but stating that by being a reporter, even temporarily, she is a public figure. She is no longer the protected child of a president, but an adult that places herself in a position to give her ideas and opinions to the public and, I might add, is also very well compensated for it.

Re: Chelsea Clinton Goes Snorkeling With Diane von Furstenberg — See the New Mom's Fit Bikini Bod

Compassrose — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 09:13:31 -0000

Discussing her physical appearance is shallow, but Chelsea is very much a public figure in her own right. She did a tour of reporting on NBC, does interviews, and is paid very well for her public speaking engagements. She has placed herself in the public arena with all the perks and pains that involves.

Re: Why Are So Many Texas Students Struggling With STAAR?

Compassrose — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 21:46:54 -0000

Todd Williams is typical of the "experts" that are controlling Texas education today. I am not sure how Williams' twenty years with Goldman Sachs helped him know more than teachers and administrators about how to assess curriculum and instruction, but he has been given the power to act like he does. The problem is indeed the test and it is a stinker. Despite the idea there is no social promotion, the fact is the majority of those 105,000 students that failed the third administration of STAAR will indeed be placed in the next grade. What is extremely troubling about STAAR is that while obsessing over data and trying to prepare students for the ridiculous testing format
(Walter Troup is absolutely correct) has narrowed curriculum and sucked much of the vitality out of classroom instruction.

Re: Still Life

Compassrose — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:19:08 -0000

Amazing story - incredible people. I think I need to print this and every so often read it to keep life in perspective.

Re: Dashcam video shows local lawmaker's traffic stop

Compassrose — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 08:27:46 -0000

So I understand Coleman stands by his comments even after the release of this video. My assumption from this is he thinks those "state official" tags and his elected position puts him above the law. He doesn't need to check his speed, and, when stopped, he should be given preferred treatment. Shame on him for his arrogant behavior. Perhaps we should change those tags to "state servant" to remind our elected officials they work for the public not reign over us - or run us off the road.

Re: Report: Bland Jailers didn't do timely check

Compassrose — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:01:17 -0000

What would have been the motive for murdering her? As of Monday when she was found deceased, there was no controversy surrounding her arrest.

Re: HECK_love_note_returned_150716

Compassrose — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:46:59 -0000

Truthfully, I am not surprised. More good people in the world than we give credit for and this story made the news because of the sweet note. I am glad it got some attention!

Re: Confederate flag removed from grave of unknown Civil War soldier

Compassrose — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 23:42:22 -0000

I just want to comment on how decent the residents of this community were to respectfully bury this southern solider. They had more reason than us today to have anger at this soldier since they had lost loved ones to the war, but they not only buried him but erected an impressive headstone. Someone had to go to some trouble to recognize his southern heritage since I am pretty sure they don't stock the Stars and Bars in Maine stores. Removing the flag now seems misplaced indignity. The Gray community accepted this fallen Confederate soldier over 150 years ago.

Re: Clinton: 'People should and do trust me'

Compassrose — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 22:19:52 -0000

"People should and do trust me" said Hillary during the carefully staged and choreographed interview. What is there not to trust, right?

Re: Have You Seen This Email From Parents Demanding Gifts For Their Toddler's Birthday? - Chicks on the Right

Compassrose — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 12:54:55 -0000

First world "problem" - where gifts are not only expected but selected to suit the recipient's wants. On one hand, I understand where the toddler's parents are coming from. It is efficient and fits their personal wants and supposed needs, but I can't deny how controlling and entitled it sounds as well. They don't want to be inconvenienced with "gifts" they don't want. It is a "hassle" to exchange. How much more spoiled can we be? If grandparents, other family members, or friends think they can just go to the store and enjoy self selecting a gift -- well, get over that. When we all have so much we can't appreciate the time and effort a person took to select a gift and spend their money to buy it, we are truly in a sad state of affairs. Just maybe, the gift-giver has an gift that will totally rock.

Re: SAT rescheduled after students learn of cancellation at test site

Compassrose — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 12:09:42 -0000

It would appear you had a bad experience with your child having excessive absences. Let's relate this to your responsibility as an employee. I would assume if you had a serious contagious disease and you were absent from your job for two weeks, you would find the time to inform your employer. If you didn't, I am sure someone from your place of employment would be contacting you - possibly to fire you for job desertion. If you were ill, you might need a note from the doctor to explain your absence. Businesses need their employees on the job to keep those businesses functioning. Despite the idea that schools don't teach anything these days, it is indeed difficult to instruct students when they are absent. Education is an expensive operation with high expectations for outcome. All things involving its management comes from Austin and our politicians. You do have the power of the vote to impact that. As to teachers just hanging around to pull a paycheck, truth is, 50% of teachers leave the profession after five years. They leave for a variety of reasons including poor pay, high responsibility but no real authority, and disrespectful students and parents. There are much easier and less stressful ways to make the average salary of a teacher.