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A new wave of emphasis on the importance of Transition in our Public Education system is a very important concept that all educators, community leaders, local business communities, parents, political junkies and most importantly "typical" students/young adults and students/young adults with disabilities need to understand.

Oregon is one of the leaders in this movement with the Youth Transition Program. See ytporegon.org.

The Youth Transition Program (YTP) is a comprehensive transition program for youth with disabilities operated collaboratively by the office of Oregon Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS), the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), the University of Oregon (U of O), and local school districts statewide in Oregon. The purpose of the program is to prepare youth with disabilities for employment or career related post secondary education or training.

YTP was initially developed in seven high schools in 1990 under the auspices of a federal grant. The program currently operates in approximately 120 high schools in Oregon and is funded through a combination of state and local funds from participating education and rehabilitation agencies. OVRS contracts with a team from the U of O to provide training and technical assistance to school and rehabilitation personnel statewide. (ytporegon.org)

I suggest you contact YTP Technical Advisor Peter Fitzgerald, U of O Professor Lorren Lindstrom, and Oregon Vocational Rehab Services representative Clayton Reese. These individuals are the "holy trinity" when it comes to preparing youth for transition. 

This needs to be discussed because any positive impact on our youth will show dramatic economic stimulus, increase in community health and well being, and strengthen the future of America.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Jim Winkler

Youth Transition Specialist

Sherwood High School

Sherwood, OR

jwinkler@sherwood.k12.or.us

503.825.5539

posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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I am a believer that everyone needs multiple ways to fully understand a concept.

I think the online learning environment can be effective in many ways, at the same time I think there is a huge loss in the opportunity for students to gain the "soft skills" needed to succeed in the "post-secondary world" whether it be work or post-secondary education that they are pursuing.

There is a new wave of the importance of transition in our education system, and only going to school online may impede a young adult's ability to adapt to the world of adult hood.

posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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To set the record straght, I have gone from a very liberal to fiscally conservative/socially liberal. So what ever my fellow Oregonians want to lable me as - so be it. I voted for Barack Obama simply because he brought a new "idea" to the table about changing politics, and I have also never witnessed a person in my 30 years of life to be so intelligent and articulate that also ran for President.

After losing faith in Obama's ability to change politics - I did see some more assertiveness when he said something like "2nd place is not acceptable" when speaking of our stance in the global economy, the clean energy economy etc. For the first time since his campaign days, I saw some fight, adversity, desire in those words. Characteristics that our country was created on.

That being said, is he still campaigning? I am so tired of hearing the same stuff from both parties, and not seeing a damn thing done by anyone. In fact, I think we as American citizens - not politicians should just fire all their asses and take care of our country ourselves! Now that the supreme court passed the law that allows corporations to feed politicians, it is clear that all those suits are in it for the money and not the greater good of our country.

There is not one politician that has represented the majority of their constituants. I would like to see a longitudial study done to see what the overall percentage of what an elected official has SAID there going to do, and have actually carried out their words into actions.

I guarantee that the overall percentage is below 10%.

I will not believe a word any politician speaks until I see results that take a positive effect on the MAJORITY of Americans. Not the rich, not the politicians, not the corporations, but us peasants that do things because they make sense, because the help our neighbors, our friends, our family, our children, etc.

Down with politics - then up with hope.

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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The following is from Stand For the Children Organization. (Stand.org)

Measure 58: Imposes a One-Size-Fits-All Mandate
For Students and Teachers
Prohibits teaching public school students in language other than English for more than two years.

Chief Petitioners
Bill Sizemore, Alan Grosso, and Russ Walker. Signature
gathering funded largely by Nevada billionaire Loren Parks, who has spent $123,000 to date, making up 88% of total funds contributed.
What This Measure Does
Every child learns at a different pace and has unique needs. Measure 58 imposes
a one-size-fits all mandate to learning English for all students in all schools,
regardless of ability. This measure would take local control of education decisions away from teachers, parents, and school districts. It will also take a half billion
dollars out of classrooms every two years.
Why Stand for Children Opposes This Measure
This limits public school students? access to equitable education, regardless of English proficiency, which conflicts with state and federal law. It targets children of immigrants. Because it contradicts with proven educational methods for English language learners, it creates the risk of increased failure and drop-out rates. It removes
local control by creating a ?one size fits all? approach and does not allow for parental choice in choosing appropriate programs for their children. Because it does not define English immersion, it will create confusion and unforeseen costs when applied to the variety of immersion programs currently in use at Oregon schools.

This measure creates specific learning timetables, but provides no guidance for
educators about what they can do to help non-English speaking students learn English better.

If a non-English speaking student enters the public school system between:
? Kindergarten - 4th grade: the student is limited to one year of English
immersion instruction and must then be taught exclusively in English.
? 5th ? 8th grade: the student is limited to one-and-a-half years of English
immersion instruction and must then be taught exclusively in English.
? 9th ? 12th grade: the student is limited to two years of English immersion
instruction and must then be taught exclusively in English.

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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You are an idiot

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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What are the other Bill Sizemore measures, and what is the name of the organization that gives the facts of every measure? Is is Stand For The Children? Does anyone know? I believe it is. Check that organization out, and read about all these measures before you vote. Please!! Down with the Republicans...UP WITH EDUCATION AND OUR FUTURE

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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OFIR MEMBER RICK HICKEY... WHAT A JOKE!

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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Down down down.... Republicans are going DOWN!

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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Another issue I have with this measure is the fact that it would contribute to taking away culture away from individuals whose first language is not English.

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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It seems like this measure would decrease the demand for teachers, and increase class sizes. Which we all KNOW makes learning on an individual level (since we all learn differntly) more difficult. It makes the job harder on teachers, and in turn conflicts with Hill-Billy Sizemore's proposed measure that decides teacher salary should be based on classroom performance, and not based on their experience and education level.

Year after year Sizmore does not fail and proposing brainless measures. Good job Bill.

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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You will be fine. Just be strong ;)

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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I agree. Central Oregon can lead a movement of sustainable communities. We should go back to relying on eachother within our communities to function, and survive.

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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As far as population boom is concerend within central Oregon. Is there something in the constitution that says we have to allow new housing that invites an increase in population?

There are non-profit organizations out there that fight to protect land. If you find reasons to protect land, then you can decrease the rate of population.

I think that our infrastructure is built backwards. Why doesn't central Oregon provide employment by increasing the public transportation programs and educational programs, and become a mechha for alternative sources of energy. Then when there is a solid trasportation system, educational system, etc. provided. Slowly allow the population to increase.

Is this idea out of reach?

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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I've never made the opportunity to fly fish, although I really want to down the road because it seems like it is much more challenging.

I feel that if you need the fish to eat, then catch to feed you and your family. I feel that killing anything that provides us life should never be considered a "sport". I've never understood why hunters kill to put a head on their wall, when they could see the buck, and take a picture and put it on their wall.

I feel that generations have lost respect for nature, and abuse what is provided to us. Whether it's a fish, tree, a bear, etc.

Thank you.

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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I'm a 24 yr old manly man, and this summer I made strawberry, raspberr, peach, and blueberry jam/jelly. I also canned peaches and beans, and just last night I canned some salsa with fresh ingredients from my garden!

How's that for a man chiming in?

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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Sorry, I didn't mean insurance company, I meant the agency that recommends care givers.

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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I agree that caregivers shouldn't have to be "squeaky clean" in order to perform a job that only few are willing to do. However, I believe that caregivers should be psychologically analyzed, along with a criminal background check to clears them from any prior drug addiction/abuse before liscensed to perform these intense physical and emotional duties. I also believe that these positions should be well compensated in order to draw out more qualified individuals.

After three grueling, frustrating years of taking care of my 28 year old brother who suffered from a stroke onset by chemo-therapy. He became eligible for in long-term in home care. The first caregiver wasn't abusive, but neglected to take care of my brother. We would show up to the house that he was staying at unexpected, and find him laying in bed in his own feces at 3 in the afternoon. To think that an insurance company would even consider recomending these people is absured.

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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Since all we are hearing about right now is Wall Street's mess. It had me thinking, what would the world be like if the U.S. paid of it's multi-trillon dollar national debt? To be more specific, what does any of that even mean? (Multi-Trillion Dollar National Debt???)

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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