I notice this too when I drive past some of the businesses in our county:
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Poll: Education major issue for independent women
Posted on April 4, 2012 by jeffpelline
“Some seventy percent of independent women in nine swing states view education as ‘extremely important,’ as voters in those states overall put education right behind jobs and the economy as a key issue, a new private survey shows,” according to Politico.
“The poll, conducted by Hart Research and North Star Opinion for The College Board – an organization that runs the SAT and the Advanced Placement program – was conducted in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
“It will be released later today. The samples in each state was relatively small – roughly 200 voters overall – but the larger sample was 1,839 voters, with a 2.3-point margin of error, and the numbers among women were striking.
“A USA Today/Gallup poll of 12 swing states released over the weekend showed President Obama with a big lead over Mitt Romney in all of them, one that was fueled by women. To the extent that Romney is going to try to reframe his argument going forward, education gives him a policy toehold.”
The rest of the article is here.
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“Game on” Santorum when it comes to bashing UC system
Posted on April 4, 2012 by jeffpelline
As Rick Santorum fades back into obscurity (witness Tuesday’s primaries), I couldn’t help but notice he was bashing UC schools, claiming they don’t teach American history. To be sure, the once-mighty UCs face challenges nowadays, thanks to endless cutbacks and “bunker minded” academic bureaucrats.
But Rick is spouting more B.S. My alma mater, UC Berkeley, was emphatic about their American history requirements — before and after entering the university — and still is. The memo from the office of the registrar reads: “The American History and Institutions requirements are based on the principle that a U.S. resident graduated from an American university should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.”
Satisfying the American History and Institutions Requirements Before Enrolling at Berkeley:
* High School Course Work: By fulfilling the portion of the “a” subject requirement for freshman admission that consists of one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of U.S. government in high school with letter grades of C or better.
* Advanced Placement or SAT Exam: By passing the high school Advanced Placement American History exam with a score of 3 or better; or the SAT Subject Test (formerly Achievement Test) in U.S. history with a score of 550 or better (500 or better if taken before April 1995). (NOTE: Only the American Institutions requirement may be satisfied by passing the high school Advanced Placement U.S. Government exam with a score of 3 or better.)
* International Baccalaureate Exam: By passing the International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IBHL) History of the Americas exam with a score of 5, 6 or 7.
Satisfying the American History and Institutions Requirements After Enrolling at Berkeley:
NOTE: After enrolling at Berkeley, students who have not already satisfied the AH&I requirements must complete two courses: one course to satisfy the American History requirement and one course to satisfy the American Institutions requirement.
* UCB Course Work: By passing with a grade of C- or P, at Berkeley, after July 1, 2005, History 7A, 7B, 130B, 131A, 131B, or 138 for the History requirement; and Political Science 1, 1AC, or 108A for the Institutions requirement. (Please be aware that these courses are not necessarily offered every semester or year. Check with the department to find out when a course will be offered.) From Fall 1988 through Summer 2005, only History 7A or 7B satisfied the History requirement, and only Political Science 1 satisfied the Institutions requirement. Political Science 100 satisfied the Institutions requirement from Spring 1985 to Spring 1995. (Students who took other courses before fall semester 1988 may check with the Registrar’s Office for possible AH&I credit.)
Santorum and the tea party “40-year-plan” make a point of belittling education. It is part of their “culture war” on America, putting educated people on the defensive. To be honest, I used to be more open minded about a college education, seeing the benefit of vocational school for people. More recently, I’ve changed my mind and consider it vital.
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