LOBBYIST MESSAGE

EDUCATION REFORM--- YOU SURE ?
The League of Women Voters of Las Vegas Valley exercised its responsibility to study current issues and recently conducted a study on the role of the Federal government in public education.

Public education is in the center of the perfect storm. Locally and nationally, public education is deemed failing as it presently exists and operates. Perhaps rather than failing, public education has simply not moved into or kept up with the 21st century the way it should.The United States, once the envy of the free world in terms of public education, is now a nation at -risk. The global economic crisis has added to the seriousness backing the reality that to once again become competitive in the 21st Century, we must educate our young people and provide continuing education - life-long learning- for all . Somehow we must build and revive our public educational system in order to truly reform it. Quality education is the linchpin to improving the economy which will improve quality of life and our bottom line.

Herein lies the dilemma. Reform is the buzz word. Accountability is the goal. No Child Left Behind is a barrier. Core standards must become the norm .Students are failing because of the environmental challenges which impede their ability to attend school, learn and succeed. Health care and mental health issues hinder learning. We have many students for whom the English language is a challenge. Teacher unions have become a barrier. Well, all of the above must be addressed, however are they part of education reform? Recognition of the barriers and truly improving public education are related but are they part of education reform and providing a solution as to what exactly must be done to meet our goal to provide that our community and our nation have literate educated citizens. Teachers have been targeted when they should be supported and provided tools to improve in their profession rather than becoming political pawns to balance the bottom line in state budget shortfalls

The fact that teachers have become a target in the politics and economic budget troubles of our state troubles me. The attempts to curb collective bargaining is unwise. If I hear shared sacrifice one more time I will not be responsible for my reaction. Shared economic sacrifice in CCSD is not overtly obvious when the district is hiring consultants and financing studies while to what agenda; in the name of what reform is unclear. Let me make one thing perfectly clear, no one supports encouraging individuals to remain in the teaching profession or in the role of administrator if they're not up to the job. However, the substitution of findings is not reform nor is technology a substitution for good qualified teachers in the classroom. I attended the CCSD Community Linkage Meeting held at Valley High School. The consultants reports and studies and new system of organization for CCSD is not something that eases my concerns. I attended the last CCSD School Board Meeting and listening to support staff's public comments was proof that school district climate is not good.

So what do we do with the studies,reports and data which is available ? This is the next step and I am not quite sure what that next step is.

Sam King, Grassroots Lobbyist LWVNV
3868 Erva Street Las Vegas NV
702-228-9608
sm229@ol.com

LOBBYIST MESSAGE

Thought you mayt want to have this schedule
Regards,
Sam

After Florida moved up their Presidential Primary to January 31st, the remaining calendar was thrown into question for many states. Today, the Nevada State Democratic Party issued a press release saying our caucus has been moved up to January 14. This was done to preserve Nevada’s hard won position as third caucus state in the country. The new schedule* (still with the potential for changes until October 22nd) is as follows:

Tuesday, January 3: Iowa Republican caucuses
Saturday, January 7: New Hampshire (This date is not official)
Saturday, January 14: Nevada caucuses (Democratic & Republican)
Saturday, January 21: South Carolina Republican Primary
Tuesday, January 31: Florida
Saturday, February 4 : Maine Republican caucuses (through February 11)
Monday, February 6, 2012: Iowa Democratic caucuses
Tuesday, February 7: Colorado Republican caucuses, Minnesota Republican caucuses, Missouri (non-binding)
Tuesday, February 14: New Hampshire
Saturday, February 18: Nevada Democratic caucuses
Tuesday, February 28: Arizona, Michigan, South Carolina Democratic primary
Saturday, March 3: Washington Republican caucuses
Tuesday, March 6 (Super Tuesday): Alaska Republican caucuses, Colorado Democratic caucuses, Georgia, Idaho Republican caucuses, Massachusetts, Minnesota Democratic caucuses, North Dakota Republican caucuses, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming Republican caucuses (through March 10)
Wednesday, March 7: Hawaii Democratic caucuses
Saturday, March 10: Kansas Republican caucuses
Sunday, March 11: Maine Democratic caucuses
Tuesday, March 13: Alabama, Hawaii Republican caucuses, Mississippi, Utah Democratic caucuses
Saturday, March 17: Missouri Republican caucuses
Tuesday, March 20: Illinois
Saturday, March 24: Louisiana
Tuesday, April 3: Maryland, Washington DC, Wisconsin
Saturday, April 14: Idaho Democratic caucuses, Kansas Democratic caucuses, Nebraska Democratic caucuses, Wyoming Democratic caucuses
Sunday, April 15: Alaska Democratic caucuses, Florida Democratic caucuses (through May 5), Washington Democratic caucuses
Tuesday, April 24: Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island
Saturday, May 5: Michigan Democratic caucuses
Tuesday, May 8: Indiana, North Carolina, West Virginia
Tuesday, May 15: Nebraska, Oregon
Tuesday, May 22: Arkansas, Kentucky
Tuesday, June 5: California, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota Democratic caucuses,

LOBBYIST MESSAGE

Subject: Two/ three of the Four E's


Greetings,

In today's 10/04/2011 Las Vegas papers there are two articles which focus on elections, the economy, and education

Secretary of State Miller is quoted by Ed Vogel--- Miller urges Redistricting Order-- the order was also briefly discussed on Face to Face 10/03/2011. The LWVNV is and has been engaged in the process of redistricting via our committee and legal counsel .during the Nevada Legislative session 2011 and as it proceeds in the courts.

Thomas Friedman addresses the economy and education as related to technology How did the robot end up with my job ?

Regards,

Sam King

LOBBYIST MESSAGE

Greetings,

Education is the linchpin for LWVNV advocacy. The LWVUS proposes studies and state and local leagues move forward on the grassroots process. The study on education focuses upon the role of the federal government in public education and will flow into a later study on privatization.
Jane Newton,is the chair for the LWVLVV study on education. Local Leagues can network with Jane. Her email is-
redrockin@cox.net

Correct address: edstudynv.wordpress.com
There is an upcoming Oct. 12 Group Discussions:
1pm at Sandy Metcalf's house on East side (email her at lysan969@aol.com for
directions)
4pm at Jane Newton's house in Summerlin (email her at sosnevada@hotmail.com
for directions)AND
7pm online webinar discussion everyone can participate in from home - email
Jane at sosnevada@hotmail.com for link
Regards,
Sam King , Grassroots Lobbyist LWVNV