Senate Bill: Atlasian Education Modernization Act (Rejected)

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Nay

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Nay on the amendment as offered. I could support something like what Yankee mentioned.

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Amendment proposal


SECTION 7. STANDARDIZED TEST REFORM

All ties between federal funding and federally mandated standardized tests are hereby repealed. Federally mandated standardized tests shall remain in place for the sole purpose of tracking progress and success in education policy as administered by the Department of Education and Secretary of Internal Affairs. Standardized test results may be submitted to universities for the purpose of college admissions.

I think standardized testing does have some uses, especially as one of the ways to evaluate teachers. I do agree with separating it from funding, since poorer schools will have lower scores than richer ones, which means they get less funding thus the more they are starved of resources leading to a downward spiral. We should be measuring the improvement in scores over a year, as opposed to comparing the overall scores between schools.

Amendment proposal

SECTION 6. SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

1.   All schools below college shall be required to be open to students for at least 190 days per year for at least 7.5 hours a day for no less than eleven years.  One hour each day must be reserved to study hall periods and recess, which shall be required in all schools.

2.   All students across all regions will be entitled to health care (including mental health) and daily lunch.  If a student is of an income level below $25,000, their lunches shall be at no cost.

3. The School Lunch Act (FL 31-20) is hereby repealed.

I don't like dictating how long a school must be open and how much time must be reserved for study hall and recess. I didn't have study hall at my school and I liked that. Otherwise I do like extending the school year to 190 days. We should shorten the summer break that kids get.

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I don't think we should be in the business of dictating whether schools have recess or study hall. That is something we should leave up to teachers, the principal and parents.

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Nay

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Aye

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aye

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I object to this amendment. Shortening the school year does not help learning. I think even 190 days is too short.

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Nay

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I object to amendment 56:34 and 56:35.

The main issue I have with 56:34 is that it reduces the number of courses required in a single foreign language. I also don't know what it means by social sciences and cultural education. I do like the added emphasis on history though, so it's not all bad.

In the case of 56:35, I don't think those who make less than 35k should have their entire lunch subsidized. It would make the program way too costly.

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In the case of 56:35, I don't think those who make less than 35k should have their entire lunch subsidized. It would make the program way too costly.

We are talking 100% subsidization here? Would you support a sliding scale approach? If so, what is the maximum income where you would want it to cut off?

I would cut it off at 35k. 50% discount for those with families making between 25k and 35k and 100% discount for those making below 25k as it already is in the bill.

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That looks pretty good. I support it.

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Nay on 56:34

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Aye

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Nay