Disqus - Latest Comments for RichBecker

Re: US fitbit

Rich Becker — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 11:45:26 -0000

Old guy: Whatever you do, don't touch that button.
New guy: This one?

Re: Erasing Content: The Future Of The Internet Is 404

Rich Becker — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 09:46:30 -0000

Last words: It's all right. It's just a reminder that we are responsible for our content and all the space we share it on is rented.

Re: Censoring Fiction: A Facebook Review

Rich Becker — Sun, 05 Jul 2020 19:12:45 -0000

Interestingly enough, for those wondering how much the censorship climate has changed, Facebook had no issues with another short story called "The Domino," boosted in May. https://bit.ly/3cxokTP

Re: As college semester nears close, students, faculty, administrators look toward ‘new normal’

Rich Becker — Sun, 03 May 2020 15:53:32 -0000

The term "new normal" has to go. It's a "new abnormal. And the sooner people realize this, the faster we can return to something closer to normal.

Re: Failing To Plan Is Planning To Fail: Nevada Needs A Plan

Rich Becker — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 12:16:59 -0000

The hold up in Las Vegas is union negotiations. When the unions are satisfied, then the Governor will change his mind. I can give you pretty good odds on it.

I'd like it to be public growdswell, but that will take many more good people with big hearts to step up. We'll see if it happens. In the meantime, I'll send the Governor some toilet paper because his plan is crap.

Re: An Open Letter To Governor Sisolak Regarding COVID-19

Rich Becker — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 10:06:03 -0000

Thanks Justin. As time goes on, the Governor will have to realize that opening Nevada in phases will protect at risk people and allow healthy people to living their lives.

Re: An Open Letter To Governor Sisolak Regarding COVID-19

Rich Becker — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 17:16:47 -0000

Thank you. I appreciate your comment and support.

Re: An Open Letter To Governor Sisolak Regarding COVID-19

Rich Becker — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 16:38:04 -0000

Thank you Stephan. I appreciate you taking time to lend your voice. It's an interesting idea, even if I would be cautious of tying too much to any one test alone. There may be an opportunity to base "if then, then that" projections on data related to the flattening of the curve, especially in those counties least affected first. And then take measure to open business with less public impact as has always been demonstrated by construction. I would imagine it to followed by limited service (with PPE) and retail (spacing). As those businesses return, then adding spaced seating in restaurants would be the next logical step. Still, I think details like this are all secondary to simply committing to a recovery plan with plainly stated measurements, which I believe all Nevadans deserve. All my best. Rich

Re: An Open Letter To Governor Sisolak Regarding COVID-19

Rich Becker — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 11:24:03 -0000

Good idea, Bill. It might be more prudent to look at business type and geographical region first, but anything would be better than nothing.

Re: An Open Letter To Governor Sisolak Regarding COVID-19

Rich Becker — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 15:50:52 -0000

I originally wrote this letter with the intent to send it to Nevada's Governor. Then a friend of mine suggested sending a copy to my Assemblywoman and State Senator too. I've added more people on the list since then because the message is less about the Governor and more about what's needed in Nevada, not next month nor in two or three months, but right now. Then someone I sent the letter to suggested I publish it as an example for others. If you feel the same way, I strongly encourage you to write your own letter and send it to the Governor, with copies to your various representatives. God bless and good night.

Re: LifeQuotes.com Releases Survey of Available Life Insurance for Pregnant Moms; Here are the Lowest Possible Rates with Some Useful Advice

Rich Becker — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 09:27:42 -0000

Avoid this company. They will waste your time.

Re: Setting the record straight on education reform

Rich Becker — Wed, 17 May 2017 16:53:45 -0000

Yes, I am an instructor. And I do not agree with you. I believe everybody will be impacted by ESAs in the best possible way. The students will benefit, public or otherwise. The schools will benefit, public or otherwise. The colleges and universities will benefit because we will produce more collage-bound students, public or otherwise. Trade schools will benefit because more students will value education that leads to career. Various communities will benefit because the status quo will no longer hold our education system hostage. And as Nevada benefits from continued economic diversification propelled by educational outcomes, the next generation of students will benefit too.

Re: Setting the record straight on education reform

Rich Becker — Wed, 17 May 2017 16:36:23 -0000

You may hold onto your opinion and disagree with the court, but it doesn't change the ruling nor the number of attorneys who might disagree with you.

Re: Setting the record straight on education reform

Rich Becker — Wed, 17 May 2017 00:37:13 -0000

Yes, but that is only part of the story too. ...

Once the public funds are deposited into an education savings account, the funds are no longer “public funds” but are instead the private funds of the individual parent who established the account. The parent decides where to spend that money for the child’s education and may choose from a variety of participating entities, including religious and non-religious schools. Any decision by the parent to use the funds in his or her account to pay tuition at a religious school does not involve the use of “public funds” and thus does not implicate Section 10.

Re: Setting the record straight on education reform

Rich Becker — Tue, 16 May 2017 16:21:57 -0000

With respect, the Nevada Supreme Court has already addressed the question of educational choice as it relates to private, parochial, or faith-based schools. You are entitled to your opinion, but that opinion is contrary to the court ruling. This issue is settled. I do not work for a private school.

Re: Setting the record straight on education reform

Rich Becker — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:28:05 -0000

As an educator, I agree. Educational choice provides the foundation from which students may both be challenged and challenge themselves in an optimal environment best suited to their needs. It will not only help them excel, but also encourage them to become contributing members of our communities, role models and leaders who make a difference.

Thank you Assemblyman Paul Anderson. By standing up and restating that ESAs are not funded by the public school system in Nevada, you are helping to clarify that this opportunity only adds funding to education while reducing class sizes in public schools.

Re: Arizona offers glimpse into threat ESA bill poses to Nevada schools

Rich Becker — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 13:52:49 -0000

The Nevada Supreme Court ruled that the premise of using taxpayer money for private education was constitutional. It was only the method used to fund the ESA program that was struck down. SB506 is the remedy that the courts prescribed, which means no funding will diverted from the public school system.

In fact, it is Nevada's unique funding mechanism that makes any comparison to Arizonia's program invalid in that Arizonia allows up to 90 percent of a student's allotment to taken from the public education system. That was never the case in Nevada. ESAs in Nevada provide an opportunity for parents to make the best educational choice for their child while reducing class size in the public school they leave behind.

Also, if you want a more accurate accounting of who is taking advantage of ESAs in Arizonia than the article you mentioned: According to the Arizona Department of Education, 58 percent of students in the ESA programs have special needs, 13 percent are from military families, 11 percent are from "D" and "F" schools, 7 percent are adopted or former foster children, 6 percent came from an Indian reservation and 4.5 percent were siblings of children in the ESA program. It is also from the Arizonia Republic.

Re: Say yes to ESA funding fix

Rich Becker — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 11:08:33 -0000

With respect, no money is being taken from public schools. The Nevada Supreme Court ruling ensured as much, which required a new source of funding for ESAs. In addition, unlike charters, even if a student uses an ESA, the funding allocation for that student remains with the school they are zoned for, which means public education receives the money and reduces class size. ESAs benefit public education. Thank you for bringing this up.

Re: Say yes to ESA funding fix

Rich Becker — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 23:24:47 -0000

I have visited many schools and did not find any of them 'exclusionary' by nature. Testing and interviewing is generally used for placement, much like state-funded colleges and universities.

Re: Say yes to ESA funding fix

Rich Becker — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 23:20:57 -0000

Where you and I agree is that sometimes public schools are the right choice, depending on the student and location. I am glad your sons found great experiences within the WCSD. I heard as much from friends of mine who attended WSCD schools before attending UNR with them.

Where you and I do not agree is limiting educational choice. Fortunately, this has already been resolved by the courts. ESAs are constitutional for all private education, including faith-based schools.

Re: Say yes to ESA funding fix

Rich Becker — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 23:16:11 -0000

A 40-year decline in performance suggests it could be. Yes.

Re: Say yes to ESA funding fix

Rich Becker — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 23:15:10 -0000

You did not read the article Darcy. I am not asking for my daughter to be your problem. I'm asking, largely for other children, to improve our school system.

Re: YES on ESAs: A private school environment is better for some

Rich Becker — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 18:07:05 -0000

Chris,

No. I'm asking if we look at the $11,145 per student funding that some school districts in Nevada get, and allow parents to use a fraction of that funding (about $5,500) to fund the rest of their child's education on their own (putting a private school within reach), thus leaving the balance of that funding with the school they are zoned for to other kids and emptying an overcrowded classroom at the same time, why wouldn't we?

And now, since the funding proposed is new money, the school they are zoned for gets to keep the entire allotment and free up a seet. So why wouldn't we? There are reasons, but none of them are good ones.

All my best,
Rich

Re: YES on ESAs: A private school environment is better for some

Rich Becker — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 17:48:13 -0000

Chris,

I was not suggesting the magnet school program was good fortune or just happened. I was suggesting exactly what you confirmed. Not every student who applies for a magnet school is accepted. In the eyes of those not accepted, your acceptance was good fortune.

If magnet schools are showing markedly higher success rates than public schools, you will have to ask the school district why non-magnet school are not adopting more of that curriculum. Perhaps the high success rate is simply attributed to the fact that magnet schools only accept certain students.

Students and parents pursuing ESA funding are just like you and your parents. They saw you would do better with a non-standard public school curriculum and it seems they were right. So maybe the real question to ask is why withhold your school choice opportunity you had from others simply because it is not the same school choice?

No one is knocking the public school system here. It works for some students. It mostly worked for son, who has always attended public school. Incidentally, it would have worked better for him had he been accepted at a magnet school (he was nominated but not accepted) but he made the best of it. ESAs will provide more parents an opportunity to make sure their students do not just have to make the best of it. They will provide an opportunity just like the one you had.

All my best,
Rich

Re: YES on ESAs: A private school environment is better for some

Rich Becker — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 14:23:23 -0000

For the 40 years that I have lived in Nevada, I cannot recall a single legislative session where our state did not attempt to fix our failing education system. And yet, we are still having the same discussion. Regardless of how much money is allocated to public education, our schools always fail to have enough to meet the most basic needs. It seems the allocation isn't the problem as much as how that allocation is spent.