Sunday, 24 February 2008
Reps. sponsor bills funding license plates
Rette Speight - DAILY HERALD
It seems there are more Utah license plates than types of vehicles to put them on.
Currently, the state of Utah has 32 different specialty license plates, 11 collegiate plates, three wildlife plates and four more going through legislation. As of last year, 72,878 specialty plates were gracing Utah's vehicles. What makes these glorified bumper stickers so appealing?
The specialty plates were originally created to raise money for certain charitable causes. The plates can cost the driver anywhere from $13 to $35. All of the plates pass through the Legislature.
In the past, the initial start-up fees were completely covered by the state. Legislators are now getting creative in their quests to sponsor more plates.
Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Salt Lake City, recently proposed a bill to the House funding cancer-screening awareness plates. The cost to get these plates on the road would be $8,200. She proposes the state government fund the initial cost to be paid back as the plates are sold.
Her proposal addressed a big concern for legislators, said Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland.
"Everybody wants to help out these worthy organizations," Dougall said, "but let the organizations do their own fundraisers. We don't need the tax commission and Legislature to be involved."
Moss's plate passed, even though many representatives spoke out about having too many plates in the state already.
Rep. Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley City, said the bill neither directed funds to charitable associations nor brought money to the department of health. Instead, the money would be used to fund an existing government agency.
"Sometimes we put a really beautiful coat on a process that isn't really good, and it does make it look better," Bigelow said about the cancer plate. "If you really want to fight cancer, fund the program. Take the people's money up front and fight it. Don't pretend to fight it."
Rep. Rebecca Lockhart, R-Provo, said she did not vote for the plate. Not because she doesn't agree with the cause, but because the state shouldn't be involved in supporting or not supporting all the causes brought before it.
"What about all the other legitimate causes that don't have a plate?" she asked.
Rep. Bradley Last, R-St. George, sponsored a bill this session to provide funds for a Zion National Park plate. Enough individuals agreed to purchase the plate, even though it had not been created, therefore ensuring the plate would be cost-efficient to the state.
Most legislators feel that no matter how good the cause, another license plate is simply that -- another license plate taking up government time and funds.
"Even though most of the plates are good ideas for good causes, they actually lose money," said Rep. Steve Sandstrom, R-Orem. "There are much better ways to get donations that don't leave taxpayers holding the bag."
Some of the license plates benefit specific charities, organizations and groups, such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Boy Scouts of America or the area universities. There is no question as to where the money is going. But what about broader issues, like the No More Homeless Pets plates or Children's Issues plates?
The Children's Issues plates actually separate the funds raised between the Guardian Ad Lien Services Account and the Children's Museum of Utah. How many donors realized they were actually giving half of the money to a museum?
Some plates don't actually bring in as much money as intended. The Boys and Girls Club only brought in $500 in the year 2007. The snowmobile plates were not purchased once in 2007.
Some of the plates have specific requirements. The Vintage Vehicle plates require the vehicle to be older than 1973.
Charlie Roberts, of the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles, said that in order to have the Clean Air plates, a vehicle must have a clean-fuel certificate. For a regular vehicle without the certificate, the plate could cost upwards of $82, because those with Clean Fuel plates aren't paying the regular fuel taxes, Roberts said. There are currently 1,211 registered Clean Fuel plates, he added.
Most legislators are against the creation of more specialty plates because they require precious time and funds that could be used for other things. Dougall said that a few years ago, the average bill cost about $10,000 to process.
"They're a waste of legislative time," Dougall said. "It's just a special group's sticker on a plate."
A common idea among representatives is to create a plain white plate with an area designated for a sticker. Groups could create their own sticker and individuals could place it at their own cost, with no drain on government funds and resources.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Analyzing a song
I've chosen to analyze Dave Mathew's Band's song "Ants Marching"
The song is very effective. It starts out telling everyday things about someone, and then how his path crosses another person's doing the exact same thing. People doing things without ever getting anything done. "Nothing ever changes, the week ends, the week begins."
Then the same two people, who are married, go to visit his mom. He reverts back to childhood, "laying under the table and dreaming" (which also happens to be the title of their album) and the listener can assume that nothing has changed since then. It doesn't necesarily say specifically, but we can assume that all of his goals have been accomplished, maybe, but it's nothign different than if he had become a superhero like he had dreamed of as a child.
Then the song goes to the population in general. everybody is a "black any" marching, the cars empty out onto the sidewalk and they march. "they all do it the same, they all do it the same way." In otherwords, the world is full of everyone trying to get somewhere, and in the end, being at exactly the same place they had been in the first place. The people who want to go on a diet are still tempted by the "candyman", the business people wanting to stand out still just in a line of other black ants going to the same place.
He wakes up in the morning
Does his teeth bite to eat and hes rolling
Never changes a thing
The week ends the week begins
She thinks, we look at each other
Wondering what the other is thinking
But we never say a thing
And these crimes between us grow deeper
Take these chances
Place them in a box until a quieter time
Lights down, you up and die
Goes to visit his mommy
She feeds him well his concerns he forgets them
And remembers being small
Playing under the table and dreaming
Driving along on this highway
All these cars and upon the sidewalk
People in every direction
No words exchanged, no time to exchange and when
All the little ants are marching
Red and black antennae waving
They all do it the same
They all do it the same way
Candyman tempting the thoughts of a
Sweet tooth tortured by weit loss
Program cutting the corners
Loose end, loose end cut cut
On the fence, not to offend
Cut cut cut cut
Take these chances
Place them in a box until a quieter time
Lights down you up and die
Lights down you up and die
The song is very effective. It starts out telling everyday things about someone, and then how his path crosses another person's doing the exact same thing. People doing things without ever getting anything done. "Nothing ever changes, the week ends, the week begins."
Then the same two people, who are married, go to visit his mom. He reverts back to childhood, "laying under the table and dreaming" (which also happens to be the title of their album) and the listener can assume that nothing has changed since then. It doesn't necesarily say specifically, but we can assume that all of his goals have been accomplished, maybe, but it's nothign different than if he had become a superhero like he had dreamed of as a child.
Then the song goes to the population in general. everybody is a "black any" marching, the cars empty out onto the sidewalk and they march. "they all do it the same, they all do it the same way." In otherwords, the world is full of everyone trying to get somewhere, and in the end, being at exactly the same place they had been in the first place. The people who want to go on a diet are still tempted by the "candyman", the business people wanting to stand out still just in a line of other black ants going to the same place.
He wakes up in the morning
Does his teeth bite to eat and hes rolling
Never changes a thing
The week ends the week begins
She thinks, we look at each other
Wondering what the other is thinking
But we never say a thing
And these crimes between us grow deeper
Take these chances
Place them in a box until a quieter time
Lights down, you up and die
Goes to visit his mommy
She feeds him well his concerns he forgets them
And remembers being small
Playing under the table and dreaming
Driving along on this highway
All these cars and upon the sidewalk
People in every direction
No words exchanged, no time to exchange and when
All the little ants are marching
Red and black antennae waving
They all do it the same
They all do it the same way
Candyman tempting the thoughts of a
Sweet tooth tortured by weit loss
Program cutting the corners
Loose end, loose end cut cut
On the fence, not to offend
Cut cut cut cut
Take these chances
Place them in a box until a quieter time
Lights down you up and die
Lights down you up and die
Currently there are some bills circulating through the legislature concerning renewable energy mandates in Utah energy companies. The bill with mandates failed in committee, but a bill with exactly similar wording except the whole mandate part passed. So basically if energy companies FEEL like developing renewables. This was done because advisors claimed Utah does not possess enough renewable sources to develop to get to 25% by the year 2025. Here is my question: does Utah not have sun? Or wind? I can understand the water lack, or possibly even rare geothermal pockets. Would it be better to work as a whole nation towards the 25x25 goal? Across the whole nation, I truly believe that there are enough renewables to spread around for at least the power companies. Probably not for cars and alternative fuels, but heating and lighting could be possible. I’d really like to discuss “tide power”… which harnesses the movements of the tides and converts it to energy. If this were the case, why couldn’t we use that as a part of the nationwide effort to reach some sort of a renewable goal?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
FW, Article
Patient transport bill passes
DAILY HERALD
Rette Speight
Efforts to make the health care market more competitive are now including interfacility ambulance transport.
The bill, which passed a House committee on Monday, would only make interfacility patient transfers up for grabs, with emergencies still left to a contracted emergency care provider.
Gene Moffitt, owner of Gold Cross Ambulance, said that so far, there are no problems that would suggest this change is needed.
He also said this change would "dismantle the state's honored system," and the state's public services shouldn't be experimented with.
"Providers would end up squabbling over who got to cover those, who could pay more, or who had to take those who could pay less," said Moffitt. "The patients would end up paying the ultimate price."
"This is an isolated issue," said Mike Madsen, representing the St. George fire department. "What's the problem? We haven't heard or seen evidence of problems that patients haven't received appropriate ambulance care, we haven't heard complaints."
Fire department representatives testified about the bill, even though they would not be affected.
The reason for concern, however, is responsibility.
"When we went to an exclusive provider previously, we can hold people accountable for their service," Madsen said. "When there are two or three [providers], who truly is responsible?"
West Jordan Fire Chief Bradley Wardle said that the current system works, but doesn't work very well.
"Our dogs are not in this fight," he said. "It's not that we're against competition, but we've learned to work in this broken system, and we're afraid that this will undo everything we've learned how to handle."
To have single emergency-care providers for hospitals is critical, as it ensures that problems are taken care of, Wardle said.
David Gessel, of the Utah Hospitals and Health systems, said that there is a huge competitive market for hospitals, doctors and other aspects of health care, and ambulances are one of the few areas where there isn't any competition.
The bill favors large, out-of-state ambulance providers, Moffitt said. Such large providers drive local carriers out of the market, he said.
HB 494
Sponsored by: John Dougall, R-Highland
Amendments to the Utah Medical Service System Act -- This bill would create a competitive market for emergency vehicles (including ground, air, etc.) instead of each health care facility having an exclusive contract.
DAILY HERALD
Rette Speight
Efforts to make the health care market more competitive are now including interfacility ambulance transport.
The bill, which passed a House committee on Monday, would only make interfacility patient transfers up for grabs, with emergencies still left to a contracted emergency care provider.
Gene Moffitt, owner of Gold Cross Ambulance, said that so far, there are no problems that would suggest this change is needed.
He also said this change would "dismantle the state's honored system," and the state's public services shouldn't be experimented with.
"Providers would end up squabbling over who got to cover those, who could pay more, or who had to take those who could pay less," said Moffitt. "The patients would end up paying the ultimate price."
"This is an isolated issue," said Mike Madsen, representing the St. George fire department. "What's the problem? We haven't heard or seen evidence of problems that patients haven't received appropriate ambulance care, we haven't heard complaints."
Fire department representatives testified about the bill, even though they would not be affected.
The reason for concern, however, is responsibility.
"When we went to an exclusive provider previously, we can hold people accountable for their service," Madsen said. "When there are two or three [providers], who truly is responsible?"
West Jordan Fire Chief Bradley Wardle said that the current system works, but doesn't work very well.
"Our dogs are not in this fight," he said. "It's not that we're against competition, but we've learned to work in this broken system, and we're afraid that this will undo everything we've learned how to handle."
To have single emergency-care providers for hospitals is critical, as it ensures that problems are taken care of, Wardle said.
David Gessel, of the Utah Hospitals and Health systems, said that there is a huge competitive market for hospitals, doctors and other aspects of health care, and ambulances are one of the few areas where there isn't any competition.
The bill favors large, out-of-state ambulance providers, Moffitt said. Such large providers drive local carriers out of the market, he said.
HB 494
Sponsored by: John Dougall, R-Highland
Amendments to the Utah Medical Service System Act -- This bill would create a competitive market for emergency vehicles (including ground, air, etc.) instead of each health care facility having an exclusive contract.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
RA: Real world pitch
For my real world pitch I went to a gym. I had gotten a Jamba juice, and I guess that with the kind I ordered they were giving away free 24-day-trial passes to 24-hour gyms. So, I was excited.
I activate the free pass, you had to go through the exact same process as signing up for a membership, except it didn't cost you anything. But they treated it just like one. They told you all the benifits, gave me a tour of the gym, pulled me out a calculator and showed me how much I could save by signing up and showed me charts about my physical health improving. They introduced me to the personal trainers and showed me scary pictures of fat people.
About the only thing that really had me almost sold, was their pitch that I could use my free pass for one of two things: 24-days free or a total sign-up fee for only $24. I love to run, and I never get the time to until it's already dark. And this winter especially the thought of running on the ice and slipping and breaking my ankle made the membership sound even better. But, then I realized how much better I love running outside and that in a month, hopefully, the weather should be warming up and the ice won't be nearly as deadly.
While the guy was showing me around the gym, I noticed how social it all seemed. It wasn't a big empty room with treadmills. There were stationary bikes facing in circles so groups of people could work out. The gym was bustling with people, and tvs were everywhere. The jacuzzi was full of beautiful people and everyone was fit and sweaty. I thought this was a great image for them... until I tried to get a treadmill myself. Then it was an all out brawl for the next available machine with the others standing in line. I realized that all the people stretching and doing crunches on the side had been there for 20 minutes and were waiting in line for a machine... regardless of what it was. I finally settled on an eliptical machine even though I had come to run. What I thought was "social" turned quickly into survival of the fittest: litterally. You had to be in good shape to beat the next person to the open machine.
So all in all, I'm glad that I settled for the free days instead of the membership. As good looking as everyone in the gym was, I'll still enjoy running outside even more.
I activate the free pass, you had to go through the exact same process as signing up for a membership, except it didn't cost you anything. But they treated it just like one. They told you all the benifits, gave me a tour of the gym, pulled me out a calculator and showed me how much I could save by signing up and showed me charts about my physical health improving. They introduced me to the personal trainers and showed me scary pictures of fat people.
About the only thing that really had me almost sold, was their pitch that I could use my free pass for one of two things: 24-days free or a total sign-up fee for only $24. I love to run, and I never get the time to until it's already dark. And this winter especially the thought of running on the ice and slipping and breaking my ankle made the membership sound even better. But, then I realized how much better I love running outside and that in a month, hopefully, the weather should be warming up and the ice won't be nearly as deadly.
While the guy was showing me around the gym, I noticed how social it all seemed. It wasn't a big empty room with treadmills. There were stationary bikes facing in circles so groups of people could work out. The gym was bustling with people, and tvs were everywhere. The jacuzzi was full of beautiful people and everyone was fit and sweaty. I thought this was a great image for them... until I tried to get a treadmill myself. Then it was an all out brawl for the next available machine with the others standing in line. I realized that all the people stretching and doing crunches on the side had been there for 20 minutes and were waiting in line for a machine... regardless of what it was. I finally settled on an eliptical machine even though I had come to run. What I thought was "social" turned quickly into survival of the fittest: litterally. You had to be in good shape to beat the next person to the open machine.
So all in all, I'm glad that I settled for the free days instead of the membership. As good looking as everyone in the gym was, I'll still enjoy running outside even more.
Friday, February 8, 2008
TA Brainstorming
Utah schools could possibly be getting one step closer to becoming year-round.
A bill was passed in the House of Representative’s Education Committee Friday that could potentially provide $11 million to schools for the option of continuing to teach math and science classes during the summer.
This summer program could possibly help provide the lacking number of science and math teachers by providing them with a further salary and the students by giving them an opportunity for expected smaller class sizes.
The program would provide struggling students a chance to get help and excelling students an extra opportunity to take classes, as well as a chance for all students to graduate early or just with extra credits.
The program will not be mandatory for all schools to participate in, and teachers individually will also have the choice to accept or decline the program. The teacher’s salaries will be paid by the proposed $11 million, but the individual schools will have to foot the bill for other things such as janitors.
“If we pay 100 percent of everything, of course the school will say ‘Sure!’” said Representative Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley. “If you let the school pick up some of the cost, the school will either be determined to make the program work or just choose not to participate.”
The program will be named “USTAR”, (Utah Science Technology and Research) with relationship to the USTAR program used by uiversities.
“The Governor’s office felt a relationship between the two to get individuals into university programs,” Bigelow said. “There will be no athletics, no anthropology, social studies or anything else. Just math and sciences.”
The bill will be debated in the House floor session and was passed unanimously passed the committee.
H.B. 270 Utah science Technology and Reseach Initative Centers
Sponsor: Representative Ron Bigelow R-West Valley
This bill will provide funding for summer classes to be taught in only math and science.
A bill was passed in the House of Representative’s Education Committee Friday that could potentially provide $11 million to schools for the option of continuing to teach math and science classes during the summer.
This summer program could possibly help provide the lacking number of science and math teachers by providing them with a further salary and the students by giving them an opportunity for expected smaller class sizes.
The program would provide struggling students a chance to get help and excelling students an extra opportunity to take classes, as well as a chance for all students to graduate early or just with extra credits.
The program will not be mandatory for all schools to participate in, and teachers individually will also have the choice to accept or decline the program. The teacher’s salaries will be paid by the proposed $11 million, but the individual schools will have to foot the bill for other things such as janitors.
“If we pay 100 percent of everything, of course the school will say ‘Sure!’” said Representative Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley. “If you let the school pick up some of the cost, the school will either be determined to make the program work or just choose not to participate.”
The program will be named “USTAR”, (Utah Science Technology and Research) with relationship to the USTAR program used by uiversities.
“The Governor’s office felt a relationship between the two to get individuals into university programs,” Bigelow said. “There will be no athletics, no anthropology, social studies or anything else. Just math and sciences.”
The bill will be debated in the House floor session and was passed unanimously passed the committee.
H.B. 270 Utah science Technology and Reseach Initative Centers
Sponsor: Representative Ron Bigelow R-West Valley
This bill will provide funding for summer classes to be taught in only math and science.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Week 4 FW
Rette Speight
Daily Herald
Salt Lake City
Feb. 5, 2008
Legislators are looking at a bill which would continue funding for inmates receiving post-secondary education.
“My primary motivation for this bill is for society’s good,” said Rep. Jack Draxler, R-Logan. “Unless we’re prepared to pay for them, we need to support the best way to keep them functional in society and out of prison.”
Draxler emphasized that the bill does not expand existing programs or create new ones. It simply “stabilizes funding for existing programs.”
Rep. Carl Wimmer R-Herriman voiced his concerns about the bill, that he was worried it might not be fair to those working for their education.
“Our best kids in society are footing the money every year to go to college,” Wimmer said. “With this bill, if you want free education and free room and board, get yourself thrown in prison. Then you get a college education. I don’t know exactly if this is the right thing to be doing when we have good kids who have worked hard their entire college careers and have to foot the bill themselves.”
Representative Demar “Bud” Bowman R-Cedar City spoke of an individual in his county who has benefited from the program, saying “the boy was devastated” when funding was cut off just a semester shy of graduating with a bachelor’s degree.
“The boy will get out, his sentence is almost up,” said Bowman concerning the boy’s ability to pursue the degree.
Draxler added in his closing remarks that surcharges from telephone calls made by the inmates go to helping fund the program.
This bill would claim $1,500,000 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year from the general fund to the State Board of Regents.
H.B. 86: Funding of Inmate Postsecondary Education
Sponsor: Jack R. Draxler
This bill asks for money to continue an existing program which gives money to inmates for higher education.
Daily Herald
Salt Lake City
Feb. 5, 2008
Legislators are looking at a bill which would continue funding for inmates receiving post-secondary education.
“My primary motivation for this bill is for society’s good,” said Rep. Jack Draxler, R-Logan. “Unless we’re prepared to pay for them, we need to support the best way to keep them functional in society and out of prison.”
Draxler emphasized that the bill does not expand existing programs or create new ones. It simply “stabilizes funding for existing programs.”
Rep. Carl Wimmer R-Herriman voiced his concerns about the bill, that he was worried it might not be fair to those working for their education.
“Our best kids in society are footing the money every year to go to college,” Wimmer said. “With this bill, if you want free education and free room and board, get yourself thrown in prison. Then you get a college education. I don’t know exactly if this is the right thing to be doing when we have good kids who have worked hard their entire college careers and have to foot the bill themselves.”
Representative Demar “Bud” Bowman R-Cedar City spoke of an individual in his county who has benefited from the program, saying “the boy was devastated” when funding was cut off just a semester shy of graduating with a bachelor’s degree.
“The boy will get out, his sentence is almost up,” said Bowman concerning the boy’s ability to pursue the degree.
Draxler added in his closing remarks that surcharges from telephone calls made by the inmates go to helping fund the program.
This bill would claim $1,500,000 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year from the general fund to the State Board of Regents.
H.B. 86: Funding of Inmate Postsecondary Education
Sponsor: Jack R. Draxler
This bill asks for money to continue an existing program which gives money to inmates for higher education.
Monday, February 4, 2008
TA: Presentation Ponderings...
SO WHY DO WE HAVE THE SCHEDULE WE DO?
Let’s face it, it really doesn’t make sense to have a giant gap in the middle of our education year. Currently, schools operate on a 10 month system. Generally out in early June, starting again in late August.
The reason: kids used to have to work in the fields.
But obviously times have changed.
Legislators pointed out that if a business was run like the current educational system is, the business would fail.
After you graduate, you will enter the job force that will more likely than not, go continually year round. Are we really preparing our students for “real life”?
SO HOW DO WE SWITCH TO YEAR ROUND?
Still keep a 180-day schedule, just spread out differently.
The most popular type of year round scheduling is a “45-15” plan, meaning that the students will attend school for 45 days and then get 15 days (or three weeks) off.
Normal breaks including holidays and spring are still included into the calander.
Many other ways to organize the year-round schedule, which include several versions of “modified year round”. Others include 60-20 and 90-30 plans.
SINGLE VS MULTIPLE TRACK PLANS
Single track: an entire school using the same calendar and getting the same holidays off.
Multiple track: groups of students attending school at different times with different vacations. This usually occurs because it’s an excellent way for school districts to save money.
According to Melissa Kelly, of About.com,
Arguments for Year Round Education
-1. Students tend to forget a lot during the summer, and shorter vacations might increase retention rates.
-1. Schools that are not being used in the summer are inefficient.
-1. Short breaks can provide time for students to receive enrichment education.
-1. Remediation can occur when it is most needed during the school year.
-1. Students get bored during the long break of summer.
-1. It's easier to schedule vacations because not everyone wants to travel at the same time.
-1. Other countries around the world use this system.
-1. More students can be accommodated at one school through multi-tracking.
Arguments against Year Round Education
-1. Studies have been inconclusive to its academic benefits.
-1. Students are going to forget information whether they are out of school for three weeks or 10. Therefore, teachers will be performing four beginning of the year reviews instead of just one.
-1. Summer programs such as youth camps suffer.
-1. Student summer employment will be virtually impossible.
-1. Many schools are older and do not have air conditioning.
-1. Band and other extracurricular programs could be hurt because of problems scheduling out of school practices and competitions.
-1. If the entire school district does not go year round, parents could have students at different schools on different schedules.
With multi-tracking, parents could have students at the same school on different schedules.
** also spoken of highly is the possibility of teacher and student burn out.
“We have three children, and at one time a few years ago, all three were on different tracks. We did this because I wanted them to have specific teachers, and to do so, all had to be on a different schedule. I actually loved it as a parent. I got to spend time with them individually on their breaks and have one-on-one time with them. It was really neat to get to spend so much time with them. I stay at home though. If I worked, I think it would have just been absolute chaos.”
“Our family really likes it because we get so many breaks. We get to take ski trips in the winter, camping trips in the summer, visit family and friends in the spring and fall. We just get to spend time with our family all year round, instead of only during the summer or spring break or trying to cram activities into Christmas break.”
“It’s been great for our child to be on the year-round program because as a parent, it’s a lot easier to ask for work off during October to go on a vacation than trying to get the second week of June off like everybody else.”
“Our school board has been very pleased with the year-round program. It’s very important to make the most of our resources, and it’s just terrible to have the whole building sitting idle for the whole summer. Back when I went to school, there was no air-conditioning in those great big brick buildings and so it didn’t make sense. But now the buildlings are so fancy they all have ir-conditioning. And it’s also very important to us that we don’t have to re-teach our kids when they come back from summer break. There’s a big difference in re-teachings, and re-viewing.”
“Our family tried year-round for 3 years and we just didn’t like it at all. It seemed to throw everything off, and it was really hard when our kids started working. It was hard for them to find jobs to cooperate with their sporatic schedules, and especially when they were trying to save up for college.”
“As you know, sports are a big thing in our family. I drive 4 kids to various sports practices most days and it’s very good for our family to support each other in our activities. It was really hard to get the timing right with public school sports when our kids were doing year-round. Sports was just something we couldn’t give up, so we dropped year-round and went back to regular school. Then we also had the whole summer off for sports camps.”
“Year-round isn’t for everyone. Our teachers really like it, but they came here specifically for the year-round schedule. Some teachers really like just having 3 months off. I mean, who wouldn’t? We also have many families who still are involved with farming who could benefit from having their kids in the fields for the summer.”
CURRENTLY IN UTAH LEGISLATURE:
Continued Math and Science Bill: HB 270: providing further opportunities for math and science classes ONLY. Either for graduation purposes or for help. Also would provide teachers with additional income, so they don’t have to get “summer jobs”.
SB 41: Extended school year incentive
This bill creates a grant program to provide a financial incentive to school districts to adopt school schedules and calendars that result in a more efficient use of human resources and capital facilities.
Gov. Huntsman:
Can budget time for babysitter, can farm kids out to other relatives.
Our teachers enjoy it more. Some may not becase hey, a three onth vacation is pretty good.
Still pay our teachers monthly. For the most part, well, it’s a yearly salary how we work it in our budget. Have the option of getting a check monthly or per semester.
Objecctions: went against tradition. Still some agricultural areas that might benefit for having the kids out during the summer
Let’s face it, it really doesn’t make sense to have a giant gap in the middle of our education year. Currently, schools operate on a 10 month system. Generally out in early June, starting again in late August.
The reason: kids used to have to work in the fields.
But obviously times have changed.
Legislators pointed out that if a business was run like the current educational system is, the business would fail.
After you graduate, you will enter the job force that will more likely than not, go continually year round. Are we really preparing our students for “real life”?
SO HOW DO WE SWITCH TO YEAR ROUND?
Still keep a 180-day schedule, just spread out differently.
The most popular type of year round scheduling is a “45-15” plan, meaning that the students will attend school for 45 days and then get 15 days (or three weeks) off.
Normal breaks including holidays and spring are still included into the calander.
Many other ways to organize the year-round schedule, which include several versions of “modified year round”. Others include 60-20 and 90-30 plans.
SINGLE VS MULTIPLE TRACK PLANS
Single track: an entire school using the same calendar and getting the same holidays off.
Multiple track: groups of students attending school at different times with different vacations. This usually occurs because it’s an excellent way for school districts to save money.
According to Melissa Kelly, of About.com,
Arguments for Year Round Education
-1. Students tend to forget a lot during the summer, and shorter vacations might increase retention rates.
-1. Schools that are not being used in the summer are inefficient.
-1. Short breaks can provide time for students to receive enrichment education.
-1. Remediation can occur when it is most needed during the school year.
-1. Students get bored during the long break of summer.
-1. It's easier to schedule vacations because not everyone wants to travel at the same time.
-1. Other countries around the world use this system.
-1. More students can be accommodated at one school through multi-tracking.
Arguments against Year Round Education
-1. Studies have been inconclusive to its academic benefits.
-1. Students are going to forget information whether they are out of school for three weeks or 10. Therefore, teachers will be performing four beginning of the year reviews instead of just one.
-1. Summer programs such as youth camps suffer.
-1. Student summer employment will be virtually impossible.
-1. Many schools are older and do not have air conditioning.
-1. Band and other extracurricular programs could be hurt because of problems scheduling out of school practices and competitions.
-1. If the entire school district does not go year round, parents could have students at different schools on different schedules.
With multi-tracking, parents could have students at the same school on different schedules.
** also spoken of highly is the possibility of teacher and student burn out.
“We have three children, and at one time a few years ago, all three were on different tracks. We did this because I wanted them to have specific teachers, and to do so, all had to be on a different schedule. I actually loved it as a parent. I got to spend time with them individually on their breaks and have one-on-one time with them. It was really neat to get to spend so much time with them. I stay at home though. If I worked, I think it would have just been absolute chaos.”
“Our family really likes it because we get so many breaks. We get to take ski trips in the winter, camping trips in the summer, visit family and friends in the spring and fall. We just get to spend time with our family all year round, instead of only during the summer or spring break or trying to cram activities into Christmas break.”
“It’s been great for our child to be on the year-round program because as a parent, it’s a lot easier to ask for work off during October to go on a vacation than trying to get the second week of June off like everybody else.”
“Our school board has been very pleased with the year-round program. It’s very important to make the most of our resources, and it’s just terrible to have the whole building sitting idle for the whole summer. Back when I went to school, there was no air-conditioning in those great big brick buildings and so it didn’t make sense. But now the buildlings are so fancy they all have ir-conditioning. And it’s also very important to us that we don’t have to re-teach our kids when they come back from summer break. There’s a big difference in re-teachings, and re-viewing.”
“Our family tried year-round for 3 years and we just didn’t like it at all. It seemed to throw everything off, and it was really hard when our kids started working. It was hard for them to find jobs to cooperate with their sporatic schedules, and especially when they were trying to save up for college.”
“As you know, sports are a big thing in our family. I drive 4 kids to various sports practices most days and it’s very good for our family to support each other in our activities. It was really hard to get the timing right with public school sports when our kids were doing year-round. Sports was just something we couldn’t give up, so we dropped year-round and went back to regular school. Then we also had the whole summer off for sports camps.”
“Year-round isn’t for everyone. Our teachers really like it, but they came here specifically for the year-round schedule. Some teachers really like just having 3 months off. I mean, who wouldn’t? We also have many families who still are involved with farming who could benefit from having their kids in the fields for the summer.”
CURRENTLY IN UTAH LEGISLATURE:
Continued Math and Science Bill: HB 270: providing further opportunities for math and science classes ONLY. Either for graduation purposes or for help. Also would provide teachers with additional income, so they don’t have to get “summer jobs”.
SB 41: Extended school year incentive
This bill creates a grant program to provide a financial incentive to school districts to adopt school schedules and calendars that result in a more efficient use of human resources and capital facilities.
Gov. Huntsman:
Can budget time for babysitter, can farm kids out to other relatives.
Our teachers enjoy it more. Some may not becase hey, a three onth vacation is pretty good.
Still pay our teachers monthly. For the most part, well, it’s a yearly salary how we work it in our budget. Have the option of getting a check monthly or per semester.
Objecctions: went against tradition. Still some agricultural areas that might benefit for having the kids out during the summer
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