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@ on assignment continued

Here, are the results of the study you suggested I conduct:

Average teacher salaries across the nation, according to the American Federation of Teachers’ Survey and Analysis of Teacher Salary Trends 2007, for 2006-2007 school year:

         National average: $51,009

         Oregon average: $51,080

Average number of school days, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics:

• National average: 180 days of instruction per year
• Oregon: this year we have 181

Average length of school, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics and a count of my school day’s hours:

• National: 6.7 hours
• My district: 7 hours 

compared against

Average SAT scores, according to the National College Board:

     National:

          Critical reading: 501

          Mathematics: 515

          Writing: 493

     Oregon:

          Critical Reading: 523

          Math: 525

          Writing: 499

     My school:

          Critical reading: 532

          Math: 553

          Writing: 530

Average graduation rates, according to Editorial Projects on Education

         National: 69.2%

         Oregon: 74.9%

         My school: 85.2%

Average employment rates: frankly I’m not sure what you meant by this, as many students go on to college, and their eventual employment, or likelihood of employment is difficult to guesstimate. 

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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@ onassignment 

In no way were my inquisitions into 66 and 67 instigated by my teachers or school administration. As a concerned, voting citizen, I became interested in these issues. Please don't be disturbed. Schools and teachers are still free thought... though they are pretty adamant and biased in one respect: that schools should remain open and able to educate students.

Thank you, kindly for the suggestion of a comparative study. My government teacher has superceded you, however, with an indepth and unbiased examination of the ramifications of both pass and faillure of 66 and 67. These studies were conducted by students through thorough examination of the text of the legislature. 

In a second comment, I have included the results of that study you suggested I conduct. 

I think, perhaps, Onassignment has something against the teachers’ union, but it would seem that this is an unwarranted bias-- as the study results show. Oregon is not only ranking higher than average in both graduation rates and SAT scores, but students are being taught by teachers receiving salaries that are only seventy one dollars higher than the national average.

In this respect, I do not find it ludicrous that teachers might want to defend their pay.

That being said, I speak as a student, not as an advocate for teacher rights. Let me be clear—my advocacy of 66 and 67’s passing is completely selfish. I do not want to face the loss of many of my teachers mid-year. I do not want to be in math or language classes with upwards of fifty students. I do not want to lose a month of school. These are the very real consequences if these measures do not pass. 

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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I am a senior at Summit High School in Bend, Oregon. This is the first time I will be able to vote on legislature that personally and directly affects me. Firstly, teachers and administration are terrified of the implications of 66 and 67 not passing-- and let's be clear, the negative impacts would take place mid-school-year. As a student myself, I recognize the students’ fear and decided to advocate through the students’ medium: facebook.

In just a few weeks, the group, Oregon Students—Yes on 66 & 67, has about 720 student members from schools statewide. Though discussions in the page’s forum, many valuable points of interest were raised.

My immediate personal concerns as a student regard teacher job loss, the subsequent decrease in student-teacher ratio, and loss of school days. In my district, if these measures don’t pass, we will lose most second- and third-year teachers and this school year will potentially be 30 days shorter. That’s ridiculous!

Specific to Measure 67, I feel that Oregon businesses should have personal investment in Oregon students’ education, as these students are the direct feeders for the Oregon work force. Unless Oregon businesses prefer uneducated and discouraged workers, they should vote in favor of these measures. On that note, during a recession, the demand for social services increases drastically. These services attempt to keep people employed, in their houses, out of poverty, and from resorting to crime. The business community also benefits from these aspects of 66 and 67.

It seems irresponsible for Oregon to fail this measure, especially in this economic climate. Please, the students implore you, vote yes on measure 66 and 67. 

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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