Kansas science and math teachers easily recruited away

I'll give this last one a shot. I think it has a lot to do with the current emphasis on Return on Investment, and risk. There are many opportunities for mid-level investors to open another chain restaurant, or another bar, or another store that breaks bulk in selling names on sweaters.
There is an abundance of material goods, and we are not needy of more advanced designs.
Micro breweries are popular investments.
Perhaps we ask the people who control where money is spent if they are willing to invest in exploration of concepts and fields that offer only, at present, the unknown.
Maybe innovative thinking and scientific exploration are not discouraged, but also today not encouraged.

May 21, 2013 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Will of the people

well, there's that....

May 21, 2013 at 3:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas science and math teachers easily recruited away

Moderate, I do share your quandary about getting good mathematics and science education from a system that treats them as commodities rather than comprehensive skills in open mindsets.
We were taught better scientific methodology and mathematical comprehension in earlier decades than I see from current curricula.
Maybe it has to do with the hurry-hurry, or the packaging of curriculum products, or, just maybe, we really don't offer adequate compensation for teaching any comprehensive field, math and science being currently in the spotlight, so they get the attention today.

May 21, 2013 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas science and math teachers easily recruited away

There is a shortage of good English teachers, journalism education is obviously not well taught, there is no physical education or health or nutrition, history is not well taught at all.
I think the difference in what we hear is that businesses need more people with math and science competence than they can find. Business has less of a priority for literate language construction, or knowledge of our history, government, or humanity. Commerce has the discretionary budget to get the PR

May 21, 2013 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FreedomWorks urges Legislature to reject Common Core reading and math standards

Yes, Keith, unfortunately, when confronted with pi r-squared, many of those in Arky, (and Western Kansas, sadly enough) will say "they're just stupid, anybody knows pie are round. Cornbread are square."

May 21, 2013 at 11:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas science and math teachers easily recruited away

Because math and science skills are no more important, nor are the skills to teach them, more rare than those of the other critical areas of education. It has nothing to do with the NEA requiring something, it is simply a measure of equal pay for equal responsibility.

May 21, 2013 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Letter: Follow money

Now, which shell is the pea really under?

May 20, 2013 at 8:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Dandelions

And what other readily available organic means is there to hold under someone's chin to see if they like butter? jeez!

May 11, 2013 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Republicans push through proposal blocking the desires of advocates for the developmentally disabled

Their arguments are utterly illogical. There is no possible way that services can be maintained while adding another layer of bureaucracy (corporate administration), dividends to be paid to owners; while delivering services through a further fragmented delivery system.

This is insane behavior on the part of people who have no idea what they're doing.

May 9, 2013 at 5:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Ad campaign accuses Kansas schools of low academic standards

Well done. Thank you, avarom.

May 8, 2013 at 9:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )