Of all the regressive proposals to deal with the current California financial meltdown, few can approach the inane cut put forward by the Democratic majority than the attempt to deep-six the mandatory high school exit exam. The savings would be minimal and the impact on K-12 education reform efforts would be huge.
Years of work and millions of dollars have been spent by both educators and State legislators to establish a credible benchmark to identify students worthy of receiving a high school diploma. Too often in the past students were "socially promoted" through school and given a diploma that meant little in terms of academic achievement to the student, the parents, the teacher, the school administrators, the college admissions officer or the prospective employer. While the High School Exit Exam is not perfect, it certainly sends a clear message to anyone interested that the student meets minimum proficiency in required subjects.
The Democrats are using the current financial crises to do the bidding of teacher unions that are not supportive of the Exit Exam. The excuse for many educators and some outspoken public (sometimes parents and sometimes other interest groups "speaking" for parents) is that the Exam leads to a "teaching to the test." So, what's wrong with that? If a certain body of knowledge is determined by the State Superintendent of Education through the State Department of Education to be required of high school graduates, it certainly is appropriate that students be given numerous opportunities to take a pass a test attesting to that ability to master that knowledge. To do less is to admit to the State setting the curriculum standards and the teachers giving their word that the standards were met. In a perfect world, that approach would suffice. Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world and standards must be assessed in a more comprehensive way.
My position as an Fresno City College Education instructor, responsible for teaching students lower division teacher education courses as preparation for transfer to a four-year institution and eventually a California K-12 teaching credential, has clearly shown me that the Exit Exam does not necessarily guarantee college-ready students. Many of my students have recently graduated from high school, but some have managed to still slip through high school and are now simply too lazy to put in the necessary time and effort to do well in college. I do, however, make it clear to my students what I expect from a high school graduate, and it certainly is what the Exit Exam requires.
I am surprised and disappointed to have not heard any reaction to the proposal to drop the exam from our local school superintendents, school boards or the County Offices of Education . I expect leadership, not resignation from them as this issue is debated and eventually decided.
Coming Soon. . .
1). How the City of Fresno treated the SPCA in this year's budget.
2). Independents rule!
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I have been following on the local MindHub website the pros and cons of establishing a directional sign "wayfinding" system for downtown Fresno. Downtown is confusing: The diagonal layout dictated by the railroads of long ago, the numerous one-way streets and the goofy (at least to me) pedestrian Fulton Mall that serves as an impediment to getting around.
Actually, to the credit of City staff, the Downtown Association and downtown activists, the question is not whether to establish a wayfinding system but rather, what it should say, how it should be designed, and who should design it. It's an appropriate debate worth having, but the debate is like the proverbial argument about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin...who cares if no answer is forthcoming?
If I hadn't followed the wayfinding debate on MindHub, I wouldn't have known that anything was being contemplated by the City. I would encourage City staff to brief the media about what is being contemplated and encourage broader input from the public.
I would also encourage the planning process to consider using the national park-theme adopted by our Fresno International Airport as a means of demarcating areas of downtown in the wayfinding system. The national parks theme could be used to supplement, where appropriate, other logical themes such as the museum, government, Tower or other "districts."
Finally, few things send a more negative message than signs that no one pays attention to (who, for example, pays attention to Neighborhood Watch signs?). Therefore, while it might take a little longer and cost a little more, let's do it right the first time.
Coming Soon. . .
1). City taxpayers guarantee another business loan?
2). Independents rule!
3). Dump the California High School Exit Exam?
Your comments are always welcome. Just click on "Comments" below.
How absolutely cool! How unlike Fresno and so like Fresyes! Who but our fair city would be so visionary as to have a redwood grove inside our airport?
Yes, thanks to a very creative City of Fresno Airports Department, led by Airports Director Russ Widmar, a risk-taking Mayor Autry and City Council, visitors arriving at or leaving from the Fresno Yosemite International Airport will walk through a redwood grove indistinguishable from what one would encounter in Yosemite or Kings Canyon National Parks (full disclosure: I was a member of the council that approved the trees; also, the trees, not surprisingly, are not real). To make the experience even more memorable, the trees and ground cover are flanked by wonderful pictures of the national parks.
I challenge the reader to name another airport where the trip begins with a stroll through the great trees that grace nearby national parks. I, for one, begin and end most of my international scuba diving trips at our airport. It's neat to know that many of the countries I travel to and from also have wonderful trees. None, however, have trees in their airport!
Who knows what what you might see on your next airport visit to the "woods." If you should by chance come across a bear the park rangers might be lurking around to make sure that you don't feed it. Besides, you just might miss your plane!
Coming Soon. . .
1). City taxpayers guarantee another business loan?
2). Are we there yet? The downtown wayfinding saga.
Your comments are always welcome. Just click on "Comments" below.
I lived in California during the "Golden Years" following World War II through the 1960's. Military service, advanced education degrees and my career took me away from California until my return in 1988. While excited to return, I soon realized that California had become almost ungovernable, careening back and forth from financial boom to bust. And today? The "golden" has turned into $25 billion of red ink debt overseen by a largely dysfunctional legislature risking actual bankruptcy in a month.
While the $25 billion dollar financial genie has to be crammed back into his bottle--and it will, but only temporarily--California needs fundamental reform. A constitutional convention needs to be convened to consider fundamental reform to the governance system. I would, however, agree with Governor Schwarzenegger (disclosure: I am an independent with no particular love for him) that the appointed commission that is currently studying an overhaul of the State's tax system should consider recommending replacing California's current tax system with a flat tax. The Governor has proposed a 15% flat tax to apply to all income.
The flat tax is simple and easy to understand, fair and good for economic growth. Instead of the complicated documents, instructional manuals, and myriad forms required by the current system, a flat tax would require only two postcard-sized forms. One form would report labor income and a second form would report business and capital income.
While there are a few minor variations, common characteristics of a flat tax system include:
- A single flat rate, usually less than 20%.
- Elimination of provisions of the tax code that provide preferential treatment on certain behaviors and activities.
- No double taxation of savings and incentives.
- Household exemption based on family size.
Proponents for a flat tax argue that it would increase compliance with the tax code for all of the above reasons. Opponents dislike it primarily because it taxes all individuals at the same rate, not differentiating wealthy from poor.
A flat tax may not be the golden spike. It would, however, be an improvement over California's current dysfunctional tax system.
Coming Soon. . .
1). City taxpayers guarantee another business loan?
2). Come fly with us but first experience the redwoods.
Your comments are always welcome. Just click on "Comments" below.
Recognizing that the number of parks in the City of Fresno was well below the national and state average, Mayor Autry, the City Council (disclosure: I was a member at that time), and a blue ribbon citizen commission spent considerable time, effort and money to develop a multi-year plan for significantly upgrading existing parks and adding at least eight more. The visionary plan (more than $30 million dollars when fully developed), was approved by the Council in 2005.
Implementing the plan has resulted in the improvement of some existing parks. Also, at least two new parks, such as the one in my former council district on Figarden Loop in Northwest Fresno, are under construction.
My concern, however, is that the multi-million dollar Met and Granite Park mess will derail plans for further improvment of existing parks or developing much-needed new ones. This is not to criticize Mayor Swearengin or the council members since no one anticipated their default on City-backed loans. Also unanticipated was the current economic crisis facing California, which requires Fresno to be prudent in its spending.
I would encourage City leaders to not abandon the 2005 park plan but instead move forward cautiously with a scaled-down park improvement program. Once something stops, it is very difficult to start-up again.
A growing, vibrant Fresno needs an expanded park system.
Coming Soon. . .
1). City taxpayers guarantee another business loan?
2). What about a flat rate tax for California?
Your comments are always welcome. Just click on "Comments" below.
The importance of transparency (providing the public with easy access to the decision-making process and to the expenditure of funds) by public sector entities cannot be emphasized enough. As a former City of Fresno council member, I can say that the City is very committed to being transparent. In fact, a few years ago the City of Fresno's Clerk's Office, ably run by City Clerk Rebecca Klisch, was recognized by The Fresno Bee for its outstanding efforts in providing important information to the general public. There are, however, areas of City government that I believe could be improved.
1). The mayor and council members should make available on the City's website (http://www.fresno.gov/) the daily schedule of meetings with individuals other than City of Fresno staff.
2). Instead of receiving a monthly flat rate for meals and mileage, the mayor and council members should be required to provide a detailed expenditure claim. Since I seldom ate meals at City expense, I did not think it appropriate to receive payment for something I did not receive. I did receive the mileage allotment, but would have preferred to have been paid exactly for the miles driven in my personal automobile rather than a flat amount. The information should be on the City's website.
3). The City of Fresno must do a much better job of clearly documenting expenditures made from council members district allotment. I was embarrassed just prior to leaving office when the Fresno Bee was not able to receive a clear accounting for district expenditures from either my account or that of my council member colleagues. Since I did not keep records of these expenditures (a City staff responsibility), I was only able to tell the reporter in general terms what I could remember spending it on. Again, this information should be on the City website.
The above concerns may seem to be relatively minor, but they could become serious if someone chose to abuse them. The easiest way to prevent that from happening is to make the information easily transparent to the public, and this certainly includes the media.
A postscript is in order: It is even more difficult to determine what the Fresno Board of Supervisors is up to at any given time.
Coming Soon. . .
1). City taxpayers guarantee another business loan?
2). Fresno's parks have come a long way.
Your comments are always welcome. Just click on "Comments" below.
I am a big user of public transportation, both FAX and Amtrak. I use FAX to get to work, and I use Amtrak to visit my relatives in the Tahoe area, and my daughter/son-in-law in Santa Barbara. I have previously commented on my good experience with FAX. Now, a few comments on Amtrak.
First, the good news: Amtrak is a good ride and Fresno's recently restored historic Santa Fe Depot is such a welcome improvement over the sorry cubby hole that for years served as the beginning or end of my train journey. Fresno passengers now have something that they can be very proud of. As I leave Fresno or arrive Fresno on Amtrak I often overhear passengers commenting on the lovely train station. A big tip of the hat to Congressman Costa, former Mayor Alan Autry, the previous City Council (full disclosure: I was on that Council), the City of Fresno's Public Works Department, and to the Cal Trans Rail Division that operates Amtrak in California.
I have noticed a significant increase in Amtrak ridership, particularly the last couple of years. More and more people have discovered the convenience and reasonable cost of getting around California by using the Amtrak train and Amtrak connecting bus system. For example, I can catch the 9:10 am train to Sacramento, change to Amtrak bus and arrive in the Tahoe area at 3:55 pm. Going south I catch the 9:55 am train to Bakersfield, change to the Amtrak bus and arrive in Santa Barbara at 3:35 pm. While Amtrak is not the same as my personal automobile, it is just about as fast and it leaves me free to read, review papers (am am a college instructor), or just nod off.
While they are not major, there are a few improvements that would make the Amtrak passenger experience in Fresno more satisfying. One would be to install attractive planters and flowers/plants on the east side of the Amtrak Depot where passengers both embark and disembark from the train. Instead of the sea of brick and concrete, wouldn't a Europe-type train station look attractive? The other issue is the graffiti liberally displayed on fences alongside the tracks in central Fresno. Obviously none of the business owners are paying attention to the eyesore. I can assure you, however, that passengers do. I am sure that the owners would be more than willing to paint over the graffiti if politely reminded by the City of Fresno's Grafitti Team.
Kudos to the City of Fresno and to the Cal Trans Amtrak division for providing the City of Fresno with such excellent public transportation and for refurbishing the old Santa Fe Depot. We have a lot to be proud of.
Coming Soon. . .
1). City taxpayers guarantee another business loan?
2). Fresno's parks have come a long way.
Your comments are always welcome. Just click on "Comments" below.
The City of Fresno sued Fresno County in September saying that Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims needed a judge's approval before she released inmates from the Fresno County Jail early. County of Fresno supervisors recently asked the City of Fresno to settle the lawsuit, calling the case foolish and wasteful. I beg to differ.
Every year it seems, the Board of Supervisors and other elected county officials, particularly the sheriff and district attorney, get into spirited arguments over how the budget should be allocated. There is, of course, never enough money to satisfy everyone. The district attorney and sheriff warn of dire circumstances if they don't get enough money, the media duly reports the political maneuvering, the public yawns and after sufficient posturing, a face-saving budget compromise is made.
Last year, however, Sheriff Mims served notice to the supervisors that she was going to release prisoners from the jail early since she would not have the budget to maintain adequate jail staffing levels. Since an early release would have the most dramatic impact on the City of Fresno, Mayor Autry and the City Council (full disclosure: I was on the Council at that time) assumed that she was using the threat in her spat with the supervisors, but nonetheless the City chose to take no chances and sued the County to demand a judge's approval before an early release of prisoners could be initiated.
Whether the City's lawsuit headed off the prisoner release or whether the annual county board-sheriff-district attorney grandstanding was over and the sheriff's threat was no longer needed, the prisoner release did not take place. The City, however, chose to continue the lawsuit fully knowing that the County budget would again be up for review, and the same bickering and threats among the County elected officials would take place. The issue had morphed from being an "internal" county feud into directly impacting the City--an unacceptable situation.
There are three points I would like to make about this issue. The first is that it is not a given that every county has the budget fights over public safety as does Fresno County. As a Racine County (Wisconsin) supervisor for seven years, we never had these budget brawls. Second, the City of Fresno had a very legitimate reason to send a clear message to the County that it would not ignore their threats even if it meant filing a lawsuit to protect its citizens. And, finally, this issue again points to the ineffective and outmoded 19th Century county form of government used by Fresno County. As I have proposed many times in the past and continue to propose, a Blue Ribbon Commission needs to study and make recommendations for reorganizing the means by which Fresno County government operates. There's got to be a better way!
Coming Soon. . .
1). City taxpayers guarantee another business loan?
2). Local Amtrak: The good, the bad and the ugly
Your comments are always welcome. Just click on "Comments" below.
Three Cheers for the Old Administration Building (or Whatever You Want to Call It)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 |There have been some legitimate questions raised recently by Bill McEwen in his Fresno Bee column, as well as from other quarters on both the financial status of the Old Administration Building (OAB) at Fresno City College and whether OAB is the best name for it. Permit me to weigh in on these questions.
The OAB is almost a century old. It is the site of the former Fresno Normal School, former Fresno State and, for many years, Fresno City College. It was shuttered more than 30 years ago due to new earthquake standards and the high cost of bringing it up to modern educational standards.
A group made up of predominately City College faculty, of which I was a part, began a campaign almost ten years ago to bring the OAB "back to life." We were, I admit, pretty much dreamers as we did our best to clean up the building, schedule tours and even sell t-shirts promoting its potential classroom viability. To the credit of then State Center Chancellor Judith Redwine and the District Board of Trustees a few years ago, voters were given the option to support funding a rehabilitation of the OAB through Measure E. The voters generously supported the Measure, and following years of extensive improvements the "new" OAB will open for classes a little over a year from now.
Measure E, unfortunately, could not fund the entire OAB rehabilitation. Therefore, the "OAB family" has been digging deep into their pockets for additional funding. Generous donations have come from near and far. My own donation of $2,300 is not at all unusual. Other faculty members, classified staff and administrators have given as much or more. Former students, many no longer even living in the area, have donated. Corporations and foundations have been generous, particularly with matching gifts. Yes, it will be a challenge to raise every last dollar needed as the Fall 2010 opening rapidly approaches. I am confident, however, that a true Valley jewel will soon greet a new generation of students thanks to many, many generous individuals.
And regarding the OAB name. Mr. McEwen raises an interesting point. Is the OAB title boring and/or passe? Does it embody the spirit of a dynamic building, particularly its past history and future potential? Good question. I am probably a poor judge of the name since the OAB has been an ever-present part of my life since I came to Fresno City College from Chicago in 1988. My only concern, and it may be overblown, is to the former students of the OAB, the "old-timers" that may feel that the nostalgia associated with the OAB name should not be lost.
So, thanks to everyone for their generosity. Thanks to Bill McEwen and others for asking questions about the building. And a special thanks to all of you for providing me with the opportunity to meet my Fall 2010 students in a building housing the ghosts of the past and the hopes of the future.
Coming Soon. . .
1). City taxpayers guarantee another business loan?
2). What's behind the city/county lawsuit over freed inmates.
Your comments are always welcome. Just click on "Comments" below.
