Oregon profs wield influence with Bush

[Taverner]

EUGENE, Oregon (AP) -- Over the years, the University of Oregon has developed a reputation as a hippie haven, home to Hacky-Sackers, Frisbee-throwers and anti-globalism activists. But tucked away in a bucolic corner of the campus is a group of education professors whose work has been widely influential and found favor with the Bush administration.

Along with their counterparts at schools like the University of Illinois and the University of Texas, Oregon professors have been the driving forces behind the push for letting "scientifically based research" inform classroom practices.

<SNIP>

And keep in mind Oregon public schools are bankrupt, decimated and in worse shape than inner city schools.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/07/20/oregon.education.ap/index.html

[BootinUp]

1. scientifically based research

:puke:

Sounds like they want the kids to be computers that store test answers. Its just too tough to teach em to think so just let them memorize the test.

[Gold Metal Flake]

2. Oregon Public Schools...

And keep in mind Oregon public schools are bankrupt, decimated and in worse shape than inner city schools.

Can you direct me to more information regarding the state of the Oregon public school system?

[sandnsea]

3. Pretty wild statement

There are serious budget problems in Oregon and the schools are definitely hurting. But to say they are decimated is a real stretch. And local communities can still pass their own bonds and build because we just did 2 years ago. Oregon kids used to consistently test in the top 5 nationally. The problem here is school to work education which was introduced around 20 years ago and is so engrained people don't even talk about it anymore. There's the college track and the labor track. The classes kids take who aren't on the college track are so pathetic and the AP classes are the basic standard schools used to have. School to work is the worst thing we've ever done "for" education. We let kids complaining, "why do I have to learn this" and "I'm not going to college", take the place of adults understanding the value of education.

[eeyore]

4. Here's a start...

http://www.oregoned.org/legislation_and_politics/school_funding_stats.htm

http://www.osba.org/hotopics/funding/crisis/

It's really not a pretty situation. Enjoy!

-eeyore

[Taverner]

5. No Child Left Behind Indeed...

Oregon ranks 42nd out of 50 states for "adequacy of resources for education."
--Education Week

The national average of state and local funding per pupil is $5,712. Oregon's average is $147 per pupil less.
--National Education Association

In overall state and local taxes paid, weighted by ability to pay, Oregon ranks 45th out of 50 states.
--Oregon Legislative Revenue Office

Oregon's class sizes rank 4th highest in the nation.
--Oregon Education Association