O:9:"MagpieRSS":23:{s:6:"parser";i:0;s:12:"current_item";a:0:{}s:5:"items";a:25:{i:0;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-7608090003488171923";s:9:"published";s:29:"2018-12-10T03:26:04.969-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2018-12-10T03:26:04.969-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Awesome blog on software and its well written to u...";s:12:"atom_content";s:197:"Awesome blog on software and its well written to understand it.keep sharing your informative ideas.<br /><a href="https://www.cerego.com/company" rel="nofollow"> educational software companies </a>";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/5819456948105359311/comments/default/7608090003488171923";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/5819456948105359311/comments/default/7608090003488171923";s:4:"link";s:127:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2010/08/local-educational-software-company-gets.html?showComment=1544437564969#c7608090003488171923";s:11:"author_name";s:9:"Praveen P";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/12614414668660647001";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:1;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-8735177665210640496";s:9:"published";s:29:"2016-11-22T07:40:41.130-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2016-11-22T07:40:41.130-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Hi I am curious did your child complete the progra...";s:12:"atom_content";s:205:"Hi I am curious did your child complete the program. Our city is starting the program and I curious is it worth it... I am nervous with amount of screen time the program is demanding on a 4 year old child.";s:9:"link_edit";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/774145081669233767/comments/default/8735177665210640496";s:9:"link_self";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/774145081669233767/comments/default/8735177665210640496";s:4:"link";s:125:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2008/10/maybe-worst-bill-in-education-omnibus.html?showComment=1479825641130#c8735177665210640496";s:11:"author_name";s:4:"ECox";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/18418004592238147860";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:2;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-3334750618870794106";s:9:"published";s:29:"2016-09-11T17:58:22.102-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2016-09-11T17:58:22.102-06:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Thanks for this great post. LOL on your definition...";s:12:"atom_content";s:1335:"Thanks for this great post. LOL on your definition of RFP. So true.<br /><br />To your observation that &quot;It’s not the government gathering student data into one place to exploit our children; it’s educational software companies...&quot; --it&#39;s both. Student data is the new gold rush and both the Feds and private corporations want it, and are working together to get it. It&#39;s not a conspiracy, both the Feds and the corps are very open about their goals to replace local, teacher-driven education with data-driven, centrally-managed, screen-based education.<br /><br />And yes, this is not a partisan issue. It&#39;s parents/teachers vs BigGov/BigEd. Most (not all) Dem/Rep politicians are in the tank for BigGov/BigEd.<br /><br />At the state (Utah) level, Stephenson opposes central planning unless it is education--then he&#39;s all for it. I think in his mind taking control of education away from parents and teachers is a small price to pay for the (perceived, not real) efficiencies in educating a &quot;workforce.&quot; The great irony is that the more education is focused on &quot;workforce,&quot; (think Industrial Revolution), the less our children will be prepared for solving problems in a rapidly-changing work landscape.<br /><br />Google Classical Education. This is what we need in the 21st century.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/7279447649248252112/comments/default/3334750618870794106";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/7279447649248252112/comments/default/3334750618870794106";s:4:"link";s:125:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2013/03/connect-dots-stephenson-adams-want-to.html?showComment=1473638302102#c3334750618870794106";s:11:"author_name";s:9:"J Michael";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:3;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-7133687178937121597";s:9:"published";s:29:"2016-08-22T15:06:12.988-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2016-08-22T15:06:12.988-06:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Thank you, UtahTeacher. I loved your comments and ...";s:12:"atom_content";s:58:"Thank you, UtahTeacher. I loved your comments and insight.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/7547114986158429598/comments/default/7133687178937121597";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/7547114986158429598/comments/default/7133687178937121597";s:4:"link";s:120:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2011/01/hb-199-school-bus-advertisements.html?showComment=1471899972988#c7133687178937121597";s:11:"author_name";s:9:"Anonymous";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:4;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-2060925421826753529";s:9:"published";s:29:"2013-12-01T13:27:48.587-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2013-12-01T13:27:48.587-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Two years later but more relevant now - I just cam...";s:12:"atom_content";s:720:"Two years later but more relevant now - I just came upon this post.  I do not support using public funds for private education.  Nor do I support private funds for public education.  The combination is lethal.  In the first instance, the public funding removes independence from the private receiver and compels it to comply with public policy.  In the second instance, the private funding dilutes and often overrules the taxpayer who ought to have the full say in public policy.  We do have voucher receiving schools getting private funding.  They are called charter schools.  They are killing choices because private schools cannot compete with them.  Why Republicans and Howard Stephenson support them is a mystery.  ";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/5997222704278573901/comments/default/2060925421826753529";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/5997222704278573901/comments/default/2060925421826753529";s:4:"link";s:126:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2011/01/virtual-vouchers-howard-stephenson-and.html?showComment=1385929668587#c2060925421826753529";s:11:"author_name";s:8:"Cherilyn";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/15962621153625370921";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:5;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-8373802597604135760";s:9:"published";s:29:"2013-03-15T01:32:14.287-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2013-03-15T01:32:14.287-06:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"If I ever said to ask people to vote FOR SB 271, I...";s:12:"atom_content";s:167:"If I ever said to ask people to vote FOR SB 271, I can only plead sleep deprivation. =) Was it something in this post?  Or maybe a tweet?  Let me know.  <br /><br />UT";s:9:"link_edit";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/621655390287934563/comments/default/8373802597604135760";s:9:"link_self";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/621655390287934563/comments/default/8373802597604135760";s:4:"link";s:125:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2013/03/sb-271-is-sneaky-last-minute-revision.html?showComment=1363332734287#c8373802597604135760";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"UtahTeacher";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/10161171487351224481";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:6;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-941295694262803922";s:9:"published";s:29:"2013-03-14T13:49:49.959-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2013-03-14T13:49:49.959-06:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"The problems with SB 271 are described in depth in...";s:12:"atom_content";s:163:"The problems with SB 271 are described in depth in this post, and yet you ask us to contact our legislators to vote in favor of it.  Please help me understand why.";s:9:"link_edit";s:103:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/621655390287934563/comments/default/941295694262803922";s:9:"link_self";s:103:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/621655390287934563/comments/default/941295694262803922";s:4:"link";s:124:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2013/03/sb-271-is-sneaky-last-minute-revision.html?showComment=1363290589959#c941295694262803922";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Carol";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/17366181407687279171";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:7;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-5182779292090306816";s:9:"published";s:29:"2013-03-05T18:07:25.240-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2013-03-05T18:07:25.240-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Two known accomplices this session are freshmen Re...";s:12:"atom_content";s:86:"Two known accomplices this session are freshmen Representatives Anderegg and Lifferth.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/7279447649248252112/comments/default/5182779292090306816";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/7279447649248252112/comments/default/5182779292090306816";s:4:"link";s:125:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2013/03/connect-dots-stephenson-adams-want-to.html?showComment=1362532045240#c5182779292090306816";s:11:"author_name";s:9:"Anonymous";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:8;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-1827056243508816248";s:9:"published";s:29:"2013-01-08T03:49:24.372-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2013-01-08T03:49:24.372-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Hello! I am the Director of the Open HS of Utah an...";s:12:"atom_content";s:326:"Hello! I am the Director of the <a href="http://www.openhighschool.org" rel="nofollow">Open HS of Utah</a> and read your blog post recently. We are working on revamping our Web site so check back toward the first of the year for better, more intuitive information. So far the school is doing extremely well. Nice to E-meeting.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8527996387586866718/comments/default/1827056243508816248";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8527996387586866718/comments/default/1827056243508816248";s:4:"link";s:125:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2011/02/virtual-vouchers-bill-sb-65-by-howard.html?showComment=1357642164372#c1827056243508816248";s:11:"author_name";s:12:"Ernest Smith";s:10:"author_uri";s:29:"http://www.openhighschool.org";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:9;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-6796892324871003026";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-11-06T00:35:16.545-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-11-06T00:35:16.545-07:00";s:12:"atom_content";s:44:"This comment has been removed by the author.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/4218953744388212096/comments/default/6796892324871003026";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/4218953744388212096/comments/default/6796892324871003026";s:11:"author_name";s:14:"Michael Larson";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/11732918259505611948";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:10;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-3499469180519787260";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-11-06T00:34:49.641-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-11-06T00:34:49.641-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Thanks for actually writing about this... I&#39;m ...";s:12:"atom_content";s:197:"Thanks for actually writing about this... I&#39;m in district 13, and have no children, but I still get to vote for this position. So far you are the only source online about Openshaw... thank you.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/4218953744388212096/comments/default/3499469180519787260";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/4218953744388212096/comments/default/3499469180519787260";s:4:"link";s:122:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2012/03/pce-wants-pro-voucher-state-school.html?showComment=1352187289641#c3499469180519787260";s:11:"author_name";s:14:"Michael Larson";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/11732918259505611948";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:11;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-3935240308134169504";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-29T10:40:55.537-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-29T10:40:55.537-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"&quot;The consequences for not meeting the caps ar...";s:12:"atom_content";s:1398:"&quot;The consequences for not meeting the caps are enormous, and the nice, but not drastic benefits of a paraeducator in a classroom of 30 kids do not equal that risk.&quot;<br /><br />I think the risk of losing all the CSR money is small simply because districts will find a way to meet the k-3 class size caps no matter what if for you other reason than to just keep the money. My problem with it is that without additional funding it necessarily means other classroom sizes will have to rise. <br /><br />Ironically, this was one of my ideas when I first read the audit and wrote about it a few years ago.  I figured that since the CSR program hadn&#39;t really lowered class sizes (because of growth, not malfeasance) it should be redirected to k-3 classes where research says it can have the most lasting impact. I even went a little further and proposed directing the money to low income and/or minority schools, again because those are the most at risk students and research shows much more bang for the buck there from CSR efforts.<br /><br />However, clearly the CSR program we have isn&#39;t really a CSR program in practice. It has simply become a KUG (Keep Up with Growth) program. Simply taking that program&#39;s money away to use elsewhere will necessarily result in larger class sizes.<br /><br />So, lacking other significant funding or reforms, I just can&#39;t support the bill.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8940724738317410371/comments/default/3935240308134169504";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8940724738317410371/comments/default/3935240308134169504";s:4:"link";s:125:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2012/02/senator-morgans-sb-31-is-runaway-bill.html?showComment=1330537255537#c3935240308134169504";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Cameron";s:10:"author_uri";s:45:"http://www.productiveactivities.wordpress.com";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:12;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-8144501602652683398";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-25T00:50:49.236-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-25T00:50:49.236-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"And I will paste in PCE&#39;s message to the troop...";s:12:"atom_content";s:1216:"And I will paste in PCE&#39;s message to the troops about HB 147 and the House Ed. Committee:<br /><br />&quot;Unfortunately, the House Education Committee passed House Bill 147 out of committee. Your efforts definitely did not go unnoticed, though! Even the bill sponsor called us to complain about the number of calls he was receiving from those opposing his bill, so THANK YOU for taking action! However, the House Education committee membership does not have a majority of school choice supporters, and we did not prevail...<br /><br />We encourage you to contact the committee members who voted YES along with the bill sponsor, Brad Last, to share your disappointment and views with them - always remember to be respectful.<br /><br />This does not mean the fight to kill this bill is over by a long shot! Next stop is the entire membership of the House of Representatives. We will keep you updated as the bill moves through the process and send out another Action Alert before it goes to the House floor for a vote. We will definitely need your help again at that time.&quot;<br /><br />Looks like Rep. Last&#39;s email box will be hit hard.  The price of a battle worth fighting I guess.  Well done Rep. Last.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8288913693380834979/comments/default/8144501602652683398";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8288913693380834979/comments/default/8144501602652683398";s:4:"link";s:123:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2012/02/online-education-silver-bullets-big.html?showComment=1330156249236#c8144501602652683398";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"UtahTeacher";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/10161171487351224481";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:13;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-8191919232234377904";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-25T00:46:55.085-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-25T00:46:55.085-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Thank you!  Anon, if you know Rep. Last, let him k...";s:12:"atom_content";s:1303:"Thank you!  Anon, if you know Rep. Last, let him know that as an educator who follows this, I am impressed and very happy. <br /><br />I think HB 147 is an EXCELLENT compromise that I would not have thought of.  I missed Rep. Last&#39;s presentation, but heard him answer some questions.  From that and the article, I understand the bill much better now.  The consortium piece and SB 65 repeal aren&#39;t unrelated pieces like I mistakenly thought.  What a well-thought out alternative.<br /><br />I loved the comparison to HMO&#39;s to control costs.  Online Ed. is only growing in importance, but unfettered *choice* on the taxpayer&#39;s dime is not the highest virtue.  Allowing the district consortiums allows the funding to work in pools for broad, efficient course offerings, while preventing huge, arbitary chunks of money to flow to online providers. Even Stephenson&#39;s SB 178 admits the cost was 2x too high in most cases.<br /><br />Barbara, I was very surprised at a 9-2 vote as well. Rep. Last was very well prepared, but I can&#39;t help thinking that the charter schools complaining the arbitrary class costs were unfair (tacit admission their contention about deserving more local district $ is false as well) really brought some votes that would not normally go public ed.&#39;s way.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8288913693380834979/comments/default/8191919232234377904";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8288913693380834979/comments/default/8191919232234377904";s:4:"link";s:123:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2012/02/online-education-silver-bullets-big.html?showComment=1330156015085#c8191919232234377904";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"UtahTeacher";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/10161171487351224481";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:14;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-3714931740646901785";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-24T23:40:29.877-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-24T23:40:29.877-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"You are pretty spot on with this post. Nice work! ...";s:12:"atom_content";s:177:"You are pretty spot on with this post. Nice work! Brad Last has been studying this issue closely since last session and is working hard to undo the harm SB65 is slated to cause.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8288913693380834979/comments/default/3714931740646901785";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8288913693380834979/comments/default/3714931740646901785";s:4:"link";s:123:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2012/02/online-education-silver-bullets-big.html?showComment=1330152029877#c3714931740646901785";s:11:"author_name";s:9:"Anonymous";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:15;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-6243187516382849986";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-24T23:00:27.141-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-24T23:00:27.141-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"I was pretty surprised to see HB 147 make it out o...";s:12:"atom_content";s:333:"I was pretty surprised to see HB 147 make it out of committee with a positive recommendation.  Who know&#39;s what will happen to it on the House floor or the Senate but it was nice to get a little victory over PCE.  They can&#39;t be happy and I&#39;m sure they are working to kill this if not on the House floor then in the Senate.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8288913693380834979/comments/default/6243187516382849986";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/8288913693380834979/comments/default/6243187516382849986";s:4:"link";s:123:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2012/02/online-education-silver-bullets-big.html?showComment=1330149627141#c6243187516382849986";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Barbara";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/14769749102433609062";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:16;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-2796055695929437329";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-20T08:39:17.934-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-20T08:39:17.934-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Well thank you.

As you can see from my output ove...";s:12:"atom_content";s:657:"Well thank you.<br /><br />As you can see from my output over the last few years, this doesn&#39;t take much time because I just don&#39;t do enough of it.  I have become a bit of an article/information hoarder since 2007 and have dozens of post topics in my head, but I don&#39;t post much because I do spend a lot of time on most posts.  <br /><br />Just following the legislature really impacts me while they are in session.  I&#39;ve been burning the candle on both ends and feeling kind of tired.  That&#39;s why I&#39;m using Twitter a lot more--I hate the character limit, but it allows me to quickly address more things by forcing me to be succinct.";s:9:"link_edit";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/502227238981703683/comments/default/2796055695929437329";s:9:"link_self";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/502227238981703683/comments/default/2796055695929437329";s:4:"link";s:125:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2011/02/quick-version-without-background-utah.html?showComment=1329752357934#c2796055695929437329";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"UtahTeacher";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/10161171487351224481";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:17;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-3257357103936769923";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-18T21:01:00.892-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-18T21:01:00.892-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Oh, bahaha. Yes, I know this was from 2011. I had ...";s:12:"atom_content";s:347:"Oh, bahaha. Yes, I know this was from 2011. I had been reading all your posts and by the time I got to this one I thought to myself, &quot;I have GOT to say something. This is fantastic.&quot; So, thank you again. Much appreciated. <br /><br />Just a question, how much of your time does this actually take out of your schedule? I imagine a lot...";s:9:"link_edit";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/502227238981703683/comments/default/3257357103936769923";s:9:"link_self";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/502227238981703683/comments/default/3257357103936769923";s:4:"link";s:125:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2011/02/quick-version-without-background-utah.html?showComment=1329624060892#c3257357103936769923";s:11:"author_name";s:9:"Anonymous";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:18;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-3722765095576487537";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-18T11:18:07.516-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-18T11:18:07.516-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"I appreciate the comment. I wish I could add more ...";s:12:"atom_content";s:395:"I appreciate the comment. I wish I could add more content, but time is hard these days.  I&#39;m using @UtahTeacher on twitter for shorter comments on current bills.<br /><br />And make sure you realize this passed in 2011.  SB175 this year is delaying the grading system for another year because they are realizing how difficult it is to grade such a diverse, multi-variable system as a school.";s:9:"link_edit";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/502227238981703683/comments/default/3722765095576487537";s:9:"link_self";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/502227238981703683/comments/default/3722765095576487537";s:4:"link";s:125:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2011/02/quick-version-without-background-utah.html?showComment=1329589087516#c3722765095576487537";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"UtahTeacher";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/10161171487351224481";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:19;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-2854646958530485856";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-18T10:19:34.620-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-18T10:19:34.620-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Thank you so much for this blog. I don&#39;t have ...";s:12:"atom_content";s:284:"Thank you so much for this blog. I don&#39;t have time to drive up to Salt Lake and listen in to what is going on at the capitol, so I&#39;m eternally grateful that I&#39;m still able to be kept up to date on what&#39;s happening. Info from DN or the Trib pales in comparison to this.";s:9:"link_edit";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/502227238981703683/comments/default/2854646958530485856";s:9:"link_self";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/502227238981703683/comments/default/2854646958530485856";s:4:"link";s:125:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2011/02/quick-version-without-background-utah.html?showComment=1329585574620#c2854646958530485856";s:11:"author_name";s:9:"Anonymous";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:20;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-5354815533843903063";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-17T00:40:52.977-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-17T00:40:52.977-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"So some savings MAY be realized in particular dist...";s:12:"atom_content";s:1420:"So some savings MAY be realized in particular districts each 5 yrs if we could bond for a little less spacious schools.  Think about the continuing growth in Eagle Mountain and Saratoga… I know plenty of families and teachers from the area.  Hundreds of local kids could use vouchers (though there would not be enough private school capacity for years except under incredibly optimistic projections) and new schools are still going to have to be built.  The other fixed costs from above and below the line funding aren’t saved unless solid little chunks of 30-40 kids from the same school leave on vouchers.  And if they’re not all the same grade, the school still “saves” by getting assigned one fewer teacher, while making it harder to prevent substantially different class sizes from grade to grade.  <br /><br />This while $2816 losses per voucher would happen that year and each year across potentially all districts, especially along the Wasatch Front and Washington County, taking millions from the available state education money while we hope for some future bond savings in individual districts.  <br /><br />And the tax break via credit—It’s dollar for dollar, so really the state funds the voucher program while Stephenson’s buddies get up to a $5,000,000 tax break distributed among a relatively small group of  willing donors without having to acknowledge who is actually saving that money.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/1035826289445916556/comments/default/5354815533843903063";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/1035826289445916556/comments/default/5354815533843903063";s:4:"link";s:127:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2012/02/sb-151-stephensons-anti-voucher-voucher.html?showComment=1329464452977#c5354815533843903063";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"UtahTeacher";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/10161171487351224481";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:21;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-198165134615550138";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-17T00:40:31.896-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-17T00:40:31.896-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Hi Cameron,

Glad you commented.  It&#39;s good to...";s:12:"atom_content";s:2766:"Hi Cameron,<br /><br />Glad you commented.  It&#39;s good to get feedback from others with different experiences.<br /><br />To your point—I think that districts or schools sometimes use the strange above the line/below the line methodology to their advantage as well. They can get certain things funded directly from state without getting blamed for how WPU money is divided later.  Sumsion, I believe, proposed eliminating almost all below the line funding last year and putting it into WPU.  I haven’t thought about it enough to figure out where I think the majority should go. I think any huge change like that without 3-4 yrs headstart to figure out new divisions and distributions only spreads confusion and hurts schools and kids.  Running it as a bill or amendment taking effect in 6 months borders on hostile. <br /><br />The Alpine School Board is an imperfect political body, and I have had issues with the board and/or district administration.  I do believe them to be honest actors though. What employee, public or private, never disagrees with management?  But I believe them near Saints compared to politicians using parliamentary tactics and bills with disguised aims to circumvent public opinion and damage the public ed. system which serves the vast majority of Utah’s kids.  I obviously have my biggest problems with Stephenson who most regularly pulls abusive tricks and whose very presence in the legislature is unethical as a handsomely paid industry lobbyist who doesn’t even have to reveal his conflicts of interest.  <br /><br />I think you are overestimating the capital cost effects and underestimating the immediate operating cost effects.  I talked about bond payments for new schools as fixed costs which all existing ones are, but I did not include them in my fixed cost numbers above.  Those are strictly WPU figures or numbers including below the line costs and locally voted money.  I know the costs personally--my school does not get or lose money as individual students move in and out through the year. The marginal financial costs are nil, though the effect on class size can be felt if enough leave/arrive in the same grade.  I said that Utah Taxpayer’s dishonestly lumps the capital bonds in total student spending to inflate the cost and justify $5,000+ vouchers as “savings.”  “Overall” school funding as calculated by UTA is irrelevant when discussing per student funding. Those district bond funds only apply to an individual district and can only be used for the very specific capital costs they were voted in for.  They were never collected on a per student basis and cannot be shifted around on a per student basis within the district, let alone as part of students taking vouchers in other districts.";s:9:"link_edit";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/1035826289445916556/comments/default/198165134615550138";s:9:"link_self";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/1035826289445916556/comments/default/198165134615550138";s:4:"link";s:126:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2012/02/sb-151-stephensons-anti-voucher-voucher.html?showComment=1329464431896#c198165134615550138";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"UtahTeacher";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/10161171487351224481";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:22;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-3835783230866010839";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-16T16:01:27.323-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-16T16:01:27.323-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"I&#39;ve been meaning to get to this for some time...";s:12:"atom_content";s:1018:"I&#39;ve been meaning to get to this for some time. The above the line vs below the line funding differences reflect the tug of war over local control vs legislative control of how state education money is spent. I think Stephensen would have it all below the line if it were up to him. He displays quite a bit of distrust of local districts, which after a few experiences with my local school board part of me understands his distrust. That said, voucher and backpack funding ideas would be smoother if all the funding was above the line. I&#39;d love to see that amendment made to Stephensen and Dougall&#39;s bills.<br /><br />I do think you underestimate the impact voucher/backpack programs would have on total public ed funding though. The $200 million bond Alpine just passed was because of growth. That&#39;s an example you use of fixed cost that doesn&#39;t disappear when a child leaves the public system. However, over time those bonds would be smaller as growth is mitigated using these funding mechanisms.";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/1035826289445916556/comments/default/3835783230866010839";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/1035826289445916556/comments/default/3835783230866010839";s:4:"link";s:127:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2012/02/sb-151-stephensons-anti-voucher-voucher.html?showComment=1329433287323#c3835783230866010839";s:11:"author_name";s:7:"Cameron";s:10:"author_uri";s:45:"http://www.productiveactivities.wordpress.com";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:23;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-584716219274717638";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-07T20:59:49.211-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-07T20:59:49.211-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"Hello Professor Wiley,

Thank you for reading.  I ...";s:12:"atom_content";s:2238:"Hello Professor Wiley,<br /><br />Thank you for reading.  I have been following your open textbook initiative over the last few weeks, and it looks wonderful.  <br /><br />Textbooks have to go through a loose vetting at the state level to be considered for primary use in a classroom, but the state doesn&#39;t purchase textbooks.  That is done at the district and school level.  That means you have to dig through the long budget documents at each individual district website, which are not always intuitive to find.  <br /><br />As for &quot;other curriculum,&quot; I don&#39;t think many schools are paying money to curriculum writers.  The core curriculum is designated at the state and the schools use textbooks and their own creative materials.  <br /><br />The Alpine District budget was linked from Departments -&gt; Administration -&gt; Transparency -&gt; Budget. <b>http://alpineschools.org/accounting/budget/2011-12-budget</b> (This went to a Google Doc, but I had a much easier time reading after I clicked Download Original)<br /><br />Those WPU&#39;s that come to the district are apportioned out as the funding for almost everything at the district level besides the buildings themselves.  Personnel is by far the largest cost.  At least for Alpine District, textbooks fall first under the category &quot;Instruction,&quot; and then &quot;Supplies&quot; as the budget divisions narrow into categories.  Page 13 of the budget, but 16 in my browser, shows a breakdown of &quot;below the line&quot; income from the state much more specific than I could find in the state document.  There is a line item for &quot;Supplemental Supplies/Textbooks&quot; for almost half a million.  Must fall under a broader category in the state summary.  This may indicate you could dig in that document and find the total the state spent on this line item.<br /><br />But Alpine ended up spending much more than that with the remainder coming from WPU&#39;s, so you would have to get totals district by district.  See pg. 16 (19 in browser) to find that Alpine spent $2.37 million on textbooks this budget year.  With the new core coming, especially the weird math classes, using a quality open textbook could grant some welcome budget relief.";s:9:"link_edit";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/1035826289445916556/comments/default/584716219274717638";s:9:"link_self";s:104:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/1035826289445916556/comments/default/584716219274717638";s:4:"link";s:126:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2012/02/sb-151-stephensons-anti-voucher-voucher.html?showComment=1328673589211#c584716219274717638";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"UtahTeacher";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/10161171487351224481";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:24;a:11:{s:2:"id";s:70:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.post-2085324517611909861";s:9:"published";s:29:"2012-02-07T12:14:33.970-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2012-02-07T12:14:33.970-07:00";s:5:"title";s:53:"I really appreciate your analysis here. Thanks ver...";s:12:"atom_content";s:457:"I really appreciate your analysis here. Thanks very much for digging into the detail on how funding moves about. This is as clear an explanation as I have seen.<br /><br />I was surprised that, in a document of this detail, I couldn&#39;t find the amount of dollars set aside by the state for purchasing textbooks or other curriculum. If you know where that number is off the top of your head, could you please let me know where it is? david.wiley@gmail.com";s:9:"link_edit";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/1035826289445916556/comments/default/2085324517611909861";s:9:"link_self";s:105:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/1035826289445916556/comments/default/2085324517611909861";s:4:"link";s:127:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/2012/02/sb-151-stephensons-anti-voucher-voucher.html?showComment=1328642073970#c2085324517611909861";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"opencontent";s:10:"author_uri";s:52:"https://www.blogger.com/profile/13425714975594777192";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}}s:7:"channel";a:13:{s:2:"id";s:54:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864992991756418300.comments";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2018-12-10T03:26:04.969-07:00";s:5:"title";s:21:"Utah Education Issues";s:42:"link_http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed";s:50:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/feeds/comments/default";s:9:"link_self";s:65:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/comments/default";s:4:"link";s:28:"http://utahedu.blogspot.com/";s:8:"link_hub";s:32:"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/";s:9:"link_next";s:95:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8864992991756418300/comments/default?start-index=26&max-results=25";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"UtahTeacher";s:10:"author_uri";s:51:"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10161171487351224481";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";s:9:"generator";s:7:"Blogger";s:10:"opensearch";a:3:{s:12:"totalresults";s:3:"356";s:10:"startindex";s:1:"1";s:12:"itemsperpage";s:2:"25";}}s:9:"textinput";a:0:{}s:5:"image";a:0:{}s:9:"feed_type";s:4:"Atom";s:12:"feed_version";N;s:8:"encoding";s:5:"UTF-8";s:16:"_source_encoding";s:0:"";s:5:"ERROR";s:0:"";s:7:"WARNING";s:0:"";s:19:"_CONTENT_CONSTRUCTS";a:6:{i:0;s:7:"content";i:1;s:7:"summary";i:2;s:4:"info";i:3;s:5:"title";i:4;s:7:"tagline";i:5;s:9:"copyright";}s:16:"_KNOWN_ENCODINGS";a:3:{i:0;s:5:"UTF-8";i:1;s:8:"US-ASCII";i:2;s:10:"ISO-8859-1";}s:5:"stack";a:0:{}s:9:"inchannel";b:0;s:6:"initem";b:0;s:9:"incontent";b:0;s:11:"intextinput";b:0;s:7:"inimage";b:0;s:17:"current_namespace";b:0;s:4:"etag";s:70:"W/"d5a5b0c108a86271d236c84cc834a04a75ec8dff22af028cedd0ab9dd47b5547"
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