EXODUS MANDATE-WV

2010 WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL NEWS

THE FOLLOWING HEADLINES ARE SIMILAR TO HEADLINES FROM THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.  THE SAME (OR WORSE) WILL HAPPEN NEXT YEAR! THESE INCIDENTS REPRESENT ONLY A TINY FRACTION OF WHAT REALLY GOES ON IN THE SCHOOLS OF THE SMALL "BIBLE BELT" STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA! MANY OTHER SERIOUS INCIDENTS ARE NOT MADE PUBLIC.

SADLY, WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE CHILDREN CANNOT BE CHANGED. DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE THAT YOUR CHILD WILL MAKE IT UNHARMED? EVEN IF A SERIOUS EVENT DOES NOT SHATTER YOUR CHILD, THERE IS NO WAY TO AVOID EXPOSING YOUR CHILD TO THINGS THAT WILL HARM HIM/HER EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY, AND/OR SPIRITUALLY.

If you think that your school is an exception you are willingly blind.

THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO GET OUR CHILDREN TO THE SAFETY OF HOMESCHOOLS OR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS. THE DANGER OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS CONVINCED A LOT OF NON-CHRISTIANS TO ABANDON THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. CHRISTIANS HAVE THE BIBLICAL MANDATE TO EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN ACCORDING TO DEUTERONOMY 6:7 AND COLOSSIANS 2:3. 

WE MUST RESCUE OUR CHILDREN!

Governor Joe Manchin III, during his 2010 "State of the State" address, continued to repress the truth about the deplorable conditions of public schools and boldly declared that money is all that matters.

In his own words:

We currently have $540 million in ongoing school construction -- the largest amount in the history of the School Building Authority, but much more needs to be done.

I am asking the Legislature to give the SBA more borrowing flexibility.

More than 40 billion stimulus dollars will be available for states and schools to lay the foundation for a generation of education reform. And $5 billion will be set aside for new ways to produce results in our classrooms. It's known as Race to the Top.

West Virginia's most famous author, Pearl S. Buck, summed up the importance of children best when she wrote, "If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all." ( http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201001130677)

Karl’s comment: It does not take an Einstein to know “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. It is crazy to keep throwing good money after bad! The so-called “Race to the Top” is simply turning the truth upside down. Government schools are in a “race to the bottom”. “Race to the Top” (http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/index.html) is just a new name for the same old tax and spend education boondoggles. . (See March 15 below.) The governor should think more deeply about what Mrs. Buck, the daughter of Christian missionaries, had to say. See the other State of the State speeches.

"Christian parents are _commanded_ to place their children under godly and Christian teaching, not neo-pagan or humanistic instruction. Whether we acknowledge it or not, only two choices remain-- obedience or disobedience to God’s commands. (See Col. 2:8; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Deut. 6:1-9; Mal. 4:6; 2 Cor. 6:14-19 along with Luke 6:40. Matt. 22:37-38 and Eph. 6:4)" E. Ray Moore.

WE MUST RESCUE OUR CHILDREN!!

“The difference between insane asylums and our public schools is that in the insane asylum you have to show some improvement before you can get out.”
Anonymous

Please look at the school news below as well as for other years (along with my articles) for documentation about why tax-payers should “just say NO!” to pouring more money down the government school rat-hole.

Among these headlines you can easily follow common threads of drug abuse, sex (including teachers with students and promotion of sexual perversion), lack of disciple, violence, poor academic standards, crime, anti-Christianity, and wanting more and more money “for the kids”.

Sex crimes in the education system are rampart and traceable to the decay of society which is closely connected to humanism taking over “public” schools. Parents in Kanawha County warned of this in 1974. Now, we are simply reaping what is sown.

The sin of sexual abuse is inexcusable, but the fact is that it is rare that church personnel molests a child. That is not so with school personnel. You will be amazed at the reports of school personnel sex with students throughout the WV School news headlines. See the comments on this issue on the main WV News page. Also, teachers, unlike preachers, do not get scandalized for their adultery and other sex escapades with adults. See the March 26, 2009 headline “W.Va. teacher charged with sex assault of teen” for a sad, but pertinent point.

The moral sickness in the school system goes all the way back to 1977--a couple of years after the Kanawha County Parents sounded the alarm.

(Note: Some of the links are closed by the media outlet after a period of time. Several of the headlines came from Charleston Daily Mail and Gazette on-line searches. All articles can be found by contacting the news source.)

Be sure to see the 2010 REPORT OF WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC SCHOOL TEST PERFORMANCE. (Also see November 19, June 14, April 30, March 24, and January 15 below.)

(Note: Some of the links are closed by the media outlet after a period of time. All articles can be found by contacting the news source.)

Parents file lawsuits in gym class injuries (December 30, 2010) http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201012291197
From the article: Two Kanawha County residents who allege their children were hurt while playing full-contact football during gym class have taken the issue to court. Karl’s comment: Most injuries to the body will compleely heal. Few injuries to the soul will.

Schools misuse credit cards December 27, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statehouse/201012261219
From the article: Kenna Seal, director of the Office of Education Performance Audits, said his auditors regularly find instances of card misuse when reviewing county school systems…A cardholder in January spent $82.73 on a car charger. A $73.14 purchase from April 4, 2010, went to the Apple Online Store. Another $73.14 purchase on June 30 was for an iPhone application…Large meals were also charged to the cards, including a $246.60 bill at Tidewater Grille and a $143.16 bill at Bennigan's…Some cardholder, for instance, paid $796.80 for rubber trees. Another spent $63.17 at Chuck-E-Cheese. More than $7,000 in purchases were for "undocumented costs" and almost $11,000 did not have "proper Board purpose," auditors found. Karl’s comment: It’s only tax-payers’ money.

Ex-school bus driver charged with molesting student (December 23, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201012231066
From the article: A former school bus driver is accused of sexually abusing a middle school student who was his passenger. The Brooke County Sheriff's Department says (he) improperly touched a 15-year-old girl, blowing kisses at her and calling her suggestive names in September. Local news outlets say other drivers reported Finley's conduct to authorities. Karl’s comment: Search these WV News pages for all years and y ou can easily follow a thread of sexual molestation of students by government school officials.

Bullying to be Addressed by Task Force (December 22, 2010)  http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=91501&catid=45
From the article: Education leaders from Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo and Wayne counties are in the process of finding new ways to combat bullying in schools. Karl’s comment: See comment of February 21, 2011.

Teacher accused of battery (December 21, 2010) http://newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/542450/Teacher-accused-of-battery.html
From the article: A Williamstown High School teacher has been charged with the misdemeanor battery of a student….In the criminal complaint, (he) is alleged to have come at a 15-year-old female student with a pen or pencil, "grabbed her from behind pulling her head against his chest, holding her mouth and nose with one hand and the pen or pencil in the other hand up to her face and eye." Karl’s comment: No public school is safe, especially when the ungodly indoctrination is considered.

School safety issue demands strong attention on every level (December 19, 2010)
http://timeswv.com/editorials/x1531221038/School-safety-issue-demands-strong-attention-on-every-level
From the article: The Marion County Board of Education approved the expulsions of 28 students during the 2009-2010 school year. So far this year, the Marion BOE has approved the expulsion of 18 students. In late November, the Times West Virginian polled its online readers on whether they felt Marion County schools were safe for their children. The majority of readers, with 64.56 percent of the vote, affirmed there was a problem and said, “Officials have to deal with it before something very serious happens.”…“We are talking about throwing chairs, throwing scissors, throwing knives ... it’s dangerous,” said BOE Chairwoman Babette Simms. Karl’s comment: No public school is safe, especially when the ungodly indoctrination is considered.

'School of the future' coming to West Side (December 14, 2010) http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201012131688
From the article: Students at the second West Side Elementary School will not have teachers. They will have "facilitators of education." And West Side students won't just use computers. They'll have "interactive devices," personal computers they'll use to do assignments, keep track of their schedules and take assessments, also known as tests…J.E. Robins Principal Henry Nearman, who was selected last month to lead the new West Side school, said the school will operate on a "museum, inquiry-based model," that will have students finding the way of learning most comfortable for them…He said the school would use "project-based learning," allowing students to learn all the core subjects - math, reading, writing, science and social students - through one long-term project… He said the school also would feature small study areas throughout the school where students can go to get comfortable and do assignments and "flexible spaces" for small- and large-group instruction…Mark Manchin, the authority's executive director, said educators now visit other states and England to see innovative schools. Karl’s comment: Except the technology this is purely “back to the future.” I heard all of this (and saw it attempted) dozens of years ago. They call this a “dream” school, but it will only be a nother nightmare of wasted taxpayer money. It’s scheduled to open in 2013. Come back here in 2018 so I can say, “I told you so.”

Suspension ordered in videotaping case (December 8, 2010)
http://timeswv.com/local/x1199048955/Suspension-ordered-in-videotaping-case
From the article: The Marion County Board of Education suspended for eight days without pay a West Fairmont Middle School music teacher, who was under investigation for allegedly individually videotaping several students while asking what some parents said are inappropriate questions…. Last week, several parents with children in Vingle’s class told the Times West Virginian that he took their kids aside individually and asked each student if they “would tell him a secret that even their parents don’t know.” They said he videotaped the students’ answers. Karl’s comment: It is not a secret that government schools are dangerous for children.

Mason schools given ultimatum (December 8, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201012081188
From the article: Mason County schools administrators have one year to correct major financial, personnel and curriculum problems discovered by state education auditors, West Virginia Board of Education members said Wednesday. State Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine said that in his eight years with the Department of Education, the situation in Mason County is the most serious he's seen in any county where the state board has not directly intervened…Over the past five years, the entire county has failed to make adequate yearly progress, a state and federal benchmark of student achievement…Students in Mason County also scored lower, on average, than their peers across the state on several areas on the WESTEST 2, the state's annual standardized test. Karl’s comment: I heard a new Christian school opened in Mason County this year.

High school football: Brawl could have major implications (November 21, 2010)
http://charlestondailymail.com/Sports/201011210484
From the article: Players punched game officials and dragged them to the turf in the chaos…The brawl happened one week after numerous fans were ejected at a first-round Poca-Ravenswood game at RHS. From another article: (http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x271889281/-Skins-fall-to-Black-Eagles) ...a fight broke out on the field, leading to both sidelines clearing and police going onto the field to break up the melee. Pepper spray was used by police to separate the teams…Following the fight, game officials and coaches met in the middle of the field and decided not to play the final 14 seconds of action for the safety of all involved. Karl’s comment: Footbrawl. I’d rather watch “Facing the Giants”.

W.Va. students finish last in testing (November 19, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201011181289
From the article: Of the 11 states monitored in the U.S. Department of Education's 12th grade National Assessment of Educational Progress test, West Virginia's high school seniors rank last. Karl’s comment: The state tries to spin the news, but it is "déjà vu all over again."

Parents, students, voice concerns on random drug testing policy (November 15, 2010 )
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201011151154
From the article: "I think it will provide a better environment for our school in general," she said. Mason Ballard, a Poca High student, thanked the board members for making an attempt to curb the school's drug problem. Karl’s comment: There is a drug problem at Poca according to the student.

Putnam County Considering Random Drug Testing Policy for Students (November 5, 2010) http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=89032&catid=45
From the article: The policy would apply to any student involved in any extra curricular activity and for students who drive to school. .."I think it's a good idea in theory, but I also think the numbers will go down because kids will want to party and stuff other than be in extracurricular activities," says (a student) Karl’s comment: If they don’t have a problem they don’t need to test.

Local school sees surge of iPhone thefts (November 5, 2010) http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201011041486
From the article: Melissa Ruddle, principal at George Washington High School, said between 10 and 15 iPhones have been stolen so far this year...Ruddle added that she would estimate that stolen phones are recovered only about 50 percent of the time. When students are caught stealing iPhones, they are dealt with in the appropriate manner, she said. Ruddle does not think this is a situation that is unique to George Washington High School. Karl’s comment: Isn’t stealing one of those Ten Commandments banned from “public” schools?

Employers worry about student skills (November 3, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201011021187
From the article: "We have kids coming out of high school who can't do simple ninth-grade math. Kids who can't add two fractions with the same denominator." She said an education professional recently told her that 60 percent of students coming to college have to take remedial courses. Karl’s comment: Duh!

Teachers brace for schedule changes (November 1, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201010310472
From the article: But after more than a decade with block scheduling, Kennedy is not sure it's beneficial for students. She said block-scheduled students often have better grades and teachers get to know their students better, but "research has shown it helps with grades but it doesn't help with student achievement." Standardized test scores have not increased during the block scheduling years, she said. Karl’s comment: Ten years of foolishness is ten years too long.

Education audit scope concerns teacher group (October 14, 2010) http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201010140836
From the article: Public education will consume about half of this year's $3.7 billion general revenue budget. Karl’s comment: Picture $$$$$$ going down a rat hole.

Audit concerns board of education (October 8, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201010070634
From the article: Gov. Joe Manchin announced the audit in June. He has repeatedly questioned why the state is spending more on each student than most other states, yet getting results that are significantly worse. Karl’s comment: See “Pathetic Percentages.”

Certified teachers in autism lacking (October 6, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201010061138
From the article: Many autistic students in Berkeley County go without regular instruction from a teacher certified to teach children with autism, Berkeley Superintendent Manny Arvon told state Board of Education members Wednesday. Fifteen of the 32 who teach autistic students in the Eastern Panhandle county are uncertified, Arvon said. Karl’s comment: The teacher union’s Legislative Program that was adopted at the 2010 Convention said: (B-82) The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience…Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency. What hypocrisy! For more on the NEA go to the HOME page and search “teacher union.”

Grade Policy Sparks Anger: No Zeroes For Marshall County Students (October 3, 2010)
http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/542388/Grade-Policy-Sparks-Anger--No-Zeroes-For-Marshall-County-Students.html
From the article: Marshall County Schools administrators have a new approach to student learning - a no-zero grading policy… The proposal was brought on by an increase in failure rates at John Marshall and Cameron high schools during the 2009-2010 school year, with about 400 students failing in one capacity or another. About 270 of those students were able to make up for those failures through the district's credit recovery program. Karl’s comment: Welcome to Lake Wobegon, WV

Company picked to help improve performance of W.Va. schools (September 27, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201009270407
From the article: West Virginia is partnering with a unit of Scholastic Education to improve low-performing public schools. New York-based Scholastic Achievement Partners said Monday that it's been chosen as an external supporting partner. The company says it will work with schools to improve students' math skills and literacy. It also will develop plans to improve teaching and engage school communities in improvement. Karl’s comment: Hope springs eternal but prrof of success remains elusive.

Man High football team punished for bullying ( September 23, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201009230367
From the article: The players at Man High School wouldn't tell coach Harvey Arms who was involved in injuring (the) sophomore on Sept. 14. So Arms made the players run extra laps after practice, Logan County schools attorney Leslie Tyree said Thursday…"I think it's probably over as far as the investigation goes,'' Tyree said. "That's not satisfactory to me,'' (the father) said. "They're trying to cover it up. It was awful what was done to my son.'' (He) said his 15-year-old son had swollen testicles, bruised ribs and wounds to his head, and was bleeding from his ears….According to the father, several football players grabbed (his son) in the locker room and spread his legs apart. Some of the players kicked him in the groin… According to (the father), Manning called some of the players into her office, confiscated their cell phones and deleted a video allegedly taken of the incident by one of the players. (The father), said he had threatened legal action if the video was posted on the Internet. The (father) said some of the players involved were 18. Karl’s comment: You can easily follow a thread of violence through these news headlines and I am only able to get a fraction of what actually goes on.

Hurricane teacher arrested after bomb claim (September 23, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201009230686
From the article: The teacher… was suffering from mental issues and told Hurricane Principal Richard Campbell that his computer was rigged with a bomb, according to a criminal complaint filed in Putnam County Magistrate Court. (The teacher) was outside of his office in the hall yelling "I need a witness" to passing students…The officers told him that he needed to leave and reached for his arm to escort him out. (The teacher) then jerked his arm away, prompting the officers to take him to the ground and place him in handcuffs. Karl’s comment: Sad.

State education, Medicaid getting massive funding infusions (September 9, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201009081240
From the article: Over the next year, county school systems across West Virginia are set to share a $55 million infusion of money that can be used to pay for tutoring and teacher training and to expand after-school, summer school and preschool programs. Karl’s comment: In a few years this will be an “I told you so” proof. More money is not the magic solution!

Teachers union proposes evaluation system (September 9, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201009081090
From the article: A national teachers union leader urged the state Board of Education members Wednesday to implement an evaluation system that would hold educators, administrators, students and parents accountable for schools' success…Gov. Joe Manchin and state education department officials have previously suggested a comprehensive teacher evaluation system tied to student performance, but haven't had much luck convincing the teacher-dominated House of Delegates to back the plan. State teachers' unions, the West Virginia Education Association and the state AFT chapter have also opposed evaluation plans. Currently, teachers with more than five years of experience aren't required to have annual evaluations…She said schools currently give educators  "drive-by evaluations." Principals or vice-principals visit teachers' classrooms once a year for five minutes ("three-and-a-half minutes if they really like you") and give teachers "satisfactory" evaluations, Weingarten said. Karl’s comment: By their own words…

Students Need New Skills for Success in the 21 st Century (undated)
http://wvde.state.wv.us/global21/publications/
From the article: Visitors to (her) third grade classroom at West Teays Elementary in Putnam County soon realize something is different. No neat rows of kid-sized desks. In their place are tables and chairs that make it easier for her students to collaborate and work in groups. Technology, including digital cameras, a projector and interactive whiteboard, handheld devices, is in constant use. Science is emphasized with a variety of centers using small animals like guinea pigs, a tarantula and rainbow trout, to pique student interest. (She) says textbooks don't grab kids. So instead of doing 30 math problems, she has her students use their PDAs to go around the classroom, conduct surveys and tabulate the results…

“Twenty-first century learning is active, engaging and inspires students to strive for a deeper understanding of the subjects they're studying,” (state superintendent) Paine said. “The time has come to introduce 21st century rigor into all our classrooms across West Virginia. We have a long road ahead of us but I am confident that our educators will master a new way of teaching and our students will excel on national and international assessments thanks to Global21.” Karl’s comment: I heard this back in the 20 th century. The whiz-bang ideas are useless if the students can’t read and compute as learned in the old-fashioned way.

Harrison County schools stop giving grades for science, social studies (September 8, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/TechnologyNews/201009071225
From the article: Starting this year, some Harrison County elementary students won't receive grades in social studies or science. Instead, teachers will incorporate those subjects into their reading lesson and mark students as "satisfactory," "unsatisfactory" or "needs improvement." Five Harrison elementary schools will try the new grading system, though some will apply it more broadly than others. Karl’s comment: Endless panicked experiments to try to attain what the public schools are terrible at doing—teaching students to read well and compute accurately.

Cabell schools to eliminate swing sets (September 1, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201009010865
From the article: Playground swings, a source of comfort and joy for schoolchildren for generations, are getting the heave-ho at elementary schools in Cabell County. The swing sets are being removed starting this fall due to recent lawsuits and cost concerns over properly maintaining the protective barriers around them, Cabell County schools safety manager Tim Stewart said Wednesday… "So I started thinking, 'is this worth it?'" Stewart said. "It's all taxpayer dollars. As a safety person, one of my jobs is to determine the amount of risk and liability when it comes to activities and limit the cost”…The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said nearly 1.8 million injuries associated with playground equipment were treated by emergency rooms and other personnel across the country from 2001-08, the latest year available. About one-fourth of the injuries occurred at schools. Karl’s comment: Priorities are wrong. Just look at the headlines for this year and previous years for more serious dangers to children. (Note: The swing removal decision was rescinded after they found a State DOE policy that required swings to be on a campus that had kindergarten children.)

(Teacher) must register as sex offender (August 31, 2010 )
http://bdtonline.com/local/x1237197923/Wallace-must-register-as-sex-offender/print
From the article: Sentences were handed down Monday in Mercer County Circuit Court in the case of a former teacher’s aide. (He), 41, of Bluefield previously pleaded guilty before Judge William Sadler to two counts of first degree sexual abuse and one count of third degree sexual abuse. (He) was arrested in April 2009 after a student at the Bluefield Alternative School made the allegations. Karl’s comment: You can easily follow a thread of violence through these news headlines and I am only able to get a fraction of what actually goes on.

Teacher accused of throwing chair in class (August 31, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201008310389
From the article: Marion County school officials are investigating allegations that a middle school teacher threw a chair and used inappropriate language during a class. Karl’s comment: There are more incidents that the public does not hear about.

Schools to end block scheduling (August 31, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201008301016
From the article: Most Kanawha County high schools will see big changes in the 2011-2012 school year as the school system transitions away from 90-minute block classes to traditional 45-minute periods. Currently, six of Kanawha County's eight high schools run on block scheduling. Students there take four 90-minute classes every semester…Duerring said doing away with block scheduling would allow students to have math and reading all year long, which could improve their standardized test scores. He said currently, students could go a year without having one of those classes, leaving them unprepared at Westest time. "A student could take a math class in the fall and not have another math class for a semester or two semesters." Duerring said he's also heard some negative feedback about block scheduling from students in the county's yearly student focus group. He said some teens complain that their teachers only teach during the first half of class, then leave students on their own to do homework or other activities for the rest of the block. Karl’s comment: Another idiotic idea goes down the drain after over ten years of harming students academically.

Steven L. Paine: Rigorous studies prepare students (August 24, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/Opinion/OpEdCommentaries/201008240638
From the article: We are seeing the benefits of this change in better student performance across the board on the West Virginia Educational Standards Test 2, the ACT college entrance exam and the job skills assessment called Work Keys given to career and technical education students. We also have a high school graduation rate that exceeds the national average. ..The progress West Virginia students have made in recent years is a result of collective efforts of teachers and parents, administrators and students. I am confident that with continued hard work the 2010-2011 school year will be a very successful one for public education in West Virginia. Karl’s comment: State Superintendent Paine takes pains to ignore the facts. Just check the REPORT OF WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC SCHOOL TEST PERFORMANCE at the top of the WV News pages for future years.

W.Va. students show improvement on ACT exam (August 18, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201008180368
From the article:West Virginia students performed better in some areas than their peers nationwide on the 2010 ACT college entrance exam. Results released Wednesday show 71 percent of about 11,500 students who took the ACT were ready for freshman level English courses. The national rate was 66 percent. Fifty-four percent of ACT-tested students in West Virginia were ready for freshman level reading courses, compared to 52 percent nationally. Only 18 percent of the West Virginia students met or surpassed all four of the test's benchmarks measuring their preparedness for college English, reading, math and science. But that's an improvement from 17 percent in 2009. The state's average composite score was 20.7, unchanged from 2009. The national composite score was 21, down from 21.1 Karl’s comment: What a lark! The headline is misleading. It should say “W. Va. Students Unprepared for College.” First of all, reading is the basis for learning anything. Secondly, 18% being totally prepared is a pathetic amount. Third, what does “ready for freshman level English courses” mean? West Virginia University’s English 101 is “A course in writing nonfiction prose, principally the expository essay.” That could be done by copying and pasting from the Internet with help from real readers. Being “ready” for the course is meaningless. Just search for “test” in these WV News pages for more reality checks that don’t show up I headlines or school board propaganda.

State releases Westest scores (August 16, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201008160269
From the article: Despite a tougher test and stricter standards, West Virginia students raised their Westest scores in 2010…It may look like scores declined but that's technically not the case. This year, officials upped the ante on this year's test by debuting higher "cut scores" in every section…(S) tate schools Superintendent Steve Paine said his department is happy with the results. "We're very pleased. We think we're headed in the right direction," Paine said… Paine said the state "very, very unintentionally" set the bar too low when No Child Left Behind debuted in 2002…He said the new, more difficult Westest helps West Virginia students know how they stack up against peers around the country and across the globe. "It's really important for us to tell kids and parents the truth," he said. "We raised that rigor to try to parallel the (National Assessment of Educational Progress)." Paine, who serves on the test's governing board, says it is the "nation's benchmark."…Paine also said this might be the last year for measuring annual yearly progress. Depending on how and when Congress passes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, he said schools might measure success by an "improvement component." Schools would no longer have to make a certain score to be considered effective, but would instead have to bump students' scores up by a certain percent. Paine said this "growth model" is a better way to measure school and student performance. Karl’s comment: It’s all “smoke and mirrors.” The NAEP will tell the tale. See “The Public School System is Broken” (April 23, 2007 article).

Westest scores increase (August 13, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201008120863
From the article: West Virginia's newly revamped test and standards are finally "telling parents the truth" about their children's success, he said…"We probably have as narrow a gap now as any state in the country," the superintendent said…He said he's now "cautiously optimistic" that West Virginia students will fare better on the NAEP and other national education assessments. Karl’s comment: (Note: The bold font is mine.) We shall see. History says, “No way” unless they manipulate the process. See “The Public School System is Broken” (April 23, 2007 article).

Slippage: Education lagging (August 11, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/Opinion/Editorials/201008110622
From the article: Good grief -- How could America fall from first place to 12th (in college graduations) in just one lifespan?... (E) x-Gov. Bob Wise, head of the Alliance for Excellent Education, told a Charleston Area Alliance assembly that 6,900 West Virginia high school students drop out every year… Karl’s comment: To get an answer to the editorialists question start HERE.

Summer is season for teacher transfers (August 9, 2010 )
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201008080362
From the article: If employees leave the school system after the board's meeting on Tuesday, Kanawha will have to post long-term substitute teachers in their vacated positions until the 2011-2012 school year… "We're not done yet," said Barbara Brazeau, Putnam school's director of personnel. "We're going to have more. "We keep a database to keep track of our teachers because they transfer all the time." Karl’s comment: So much for highly qualified teachers.

Andrew Jackson principal won't be coming back (July 27, 2010) http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201007270639
From the article: Kanawha superintendent Ron Duerring wouldn't comment about why former principal Lisa Woo is no longer at the school, citing a "personnel issue." She most recently led the charge to make Andrew Jackson an "innovation zone" through last year's School Innovation Zone Act. Woo and the school's teachers gave up that push because the state's deadline for innovation zone applications came too soon for the school to get its application and community together. Karl’s comments: The comments from parents astound me as they make excuses for sending their kids to a government school! One said, “ This school ruined all three of my children that I sent there for a quality education.” One would think that after the first one, the parent would have caught on! (http://wvgazettemail.com/comments?build=yes&ContID=201008020746)

W.Va. special session ends with ed, funding bills (July 21, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statehouse/201007210645
From the article: West Virginia will allow one of its lowest-performing schools to partner with community groups…(and approved a) program meant to to divert and then reach out to disruptive elementary and middle school students. Karl’s comment: It gave me a feeling of déjà vu to read this news. Since the year I began teaching (1972) the same things have been tried with slightly different names. Sadly, gullible tax-payers and lazy parents keep on letting it continue.

More school lunch bills paid, but total debt rises (July 20, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201007190789
From the article: Last year, 705 employees failed to pay $33,944. This year, 459 employees owe Kanawha County Schools $24,055 for meals. Karl’s comments: Sounds like school employees should be taking some of those character courses the students have to take. Character counts.

Can West Virginia learn from states with charter schools? (July 17, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201007170298
From the article: Charter schools receive public funding, but usually have more independence than traditional public schools.  …"The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability," according to the group's website. "They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them, and the public that funds them."…Then, he figured the unions just want to maintain those laws and not let "the camel ... peek under the tent." Karl’s comment: Charter schools are still government schools. Charter schools (while very deceptive) are just a small step toward what will ultimately solve the problems of education and that is FREEDOM of education. Until that freedom occurs, charter schools are just another game to play with tax-payers.

Putnam teacher retirements worry school officials (July 16, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201007160729
From the article: A recent surge of retiring teachers in Putnam County has school officials worried about finding enough teachers in the coming years.. In some cases, the substitutes have only a general background in the subjects in which they are hired, Hatfield said. Karl’s comment: This just shows that they will use sub-standard teachers as “warm bodies.” Even properly qualified teachers are still products of humanist (i.e. atheist) themed colleges of education.

When dodgeball is outlawed (July 16, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201007151020
From the article: Kenna Seal, director of the state's Office of Education Performance Audits, does not like dodgeball. Seal said when his auditors visit a school, they always check to see if gym classes are playing dodgeball or include the game in lesson plans. "We'll cite them for that one," he said. Tucker County High School learned that the hard way. Seal says auditors witnessed a gym class playing dodgeball during the May audit of the school. The auditors didn't stop the game but wrote up the incident in the report they presented to the state Board of Education in June. "Dodgeball was being played in physical education class. It is not part of the West Virginia 21st Century physical education content standards and objectives. This practice had the potential to cause physical and emotional harm to students and was not of an educational nature," the report stated. Karl’s comment: Pure liberal looniness. I hope home and Christian schoolers play dodgeball often.

CEDAR GROVE TEACHER (July 13, 2010)
http://www.wvah.com/newsroom/shows/10tue.shtml#19
From the article: A former cedar grove middle school teacher accused of a drug crime won't be heading back to the classroom -- but he isn't going to jail either. (He) was sentenced to two years probation this afternoon for possessing cocaine with intent to deliver. Karl’s comment: Search these WV News pages for all years and you can easily follow a thread of drug using and/or pushing teachers.

Upshur County Board of Education dismisses custodian (June 24, 2010)
http://theintermountain.com/page/content.detail/id/530087.html
From the article: Following a short executive session, the Upshur County Board of Education voted Tuesday to terminate the employment of one its custodians…Board members declined to explain the reasons behind their decision. Karl’s comment: The point is that any school employee (not just teachers) can have serious problems.

Audit reports problems at St. Albans middle school (June 8, 2010)
http://wvgazette.com/News/201006080905
From the article: In a new report, state education auditors say several teachers at Hayes Middle School , in St. Albans, do not challenge students, some students at the school had to buy their instructional materials, and bullying and harassment are more common than at other schools…Hayes students struggled on several portions of the Westest 2, which they took in spring 2009. Students failed to reach adequate yearly progress, the federally mandated benchmark of student achievement, in all areas of reading and language arts. In math, students from low-income families did not reach the progress standard…Auditors wrote that one Hayes teacher, who was not identified, "hit students with a ruler and had a demeaning attitude toward students." The teacher also was sarcastic toward the children and did not vary teaching strategies, such as offering hands-on learning…Students in eight teachers' classes were not challenged with high-quality teaching and were not kept on task for the entire class period, auditors found…In a behavior disorders class, auditors saw the teacher's aide reading a personal novel and the teacher doing a word search puzzle as the two students in the class occupied themselves…Two custodian closets containing cleaning chemicals were unlocked…"Well over half of the teachers' lesson plans were incomplete and could not be followed by a substitute teacher," auditors wrote. Also, three teachers did not even have a lesson plan, which is meant to map out the curriculum that's taught each period of the day. Karl’s comment: I missed this one until a month after it appeared. I know I miss many, but most information like this does not even make it to print.

A diploma, one star at a time (June 8, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201006070903
From the article: Using graduation coaches to push borderline students to get diplomas is a new trend in Kanawha Coun… Funded by federal stimulus money, full-time coaches have been on the job for most if not all of the year at all eight county high schools…The Plato system is another asset that helps them work at an accelerated pace. They can do coursework at home over the Internet and then take tests at the school under the watch of an administrator. They also can make up some credits on Plato during the summer. Karl’s comment: See next entry.

Online summer school may be here to stay (June 8, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201006070867
From the article: Students in Kanawha County won't be spending any long, hot days in the classroom this summer. The school system is, for the second year, forgoing traditional summer school. It has been replaced with the county's online system that allows students to make up any classes they failed or credits they are missing. Students can go online and use the county's Plato system, as it's called, for free during the school year to make up courses. Karl’s comment: Home and Christian schoolers have alwys been creative with ways to help students.

All W.Va. school districts fail to teach 180 days (June 4, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201006040241
From the article: Joe Panetta of the state Department of Education says every county missed the mark, and summer vacation begins next week. Panetta says Kanawha County came closest, completing 178 days. Karl’s comment: Homeschoolers need not be intimidated that they do not follow state school standards.

Kanawha school board OKs new position (June 2, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201006010629
From the article: Kanawha school board members Tuesday approved a new job description for "school transformation specialists," meant to help turn around the county's lowest performing schools…According to the job description, a transformation specialist's salary can range from $66,000 to almost $81,000 a year. Karl’s comment: The public is led to believe those administrators will make a difference. Note the salaries!

New national math, English standards revealed (June 2, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201006020834
From the article: Even in high-performing states, students graduate and pass their required tests but still require remedial classes when they continue their education after high school, according to the Common Core State Standards Initiative website. Karl’s comment: Check back in 2015 and see the same song different verse. (Added 12-24-13: See “The Common Con and Rotten (Common) Core and Partnership Poppycock”.)

Teacher charged in assault on 15-year-old girl (June 1, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/policeblotter/201006010206
From the article: A science teacher at Follansbee Middle School (Brooke Co.) is being held on charges of statutory rape involving a 15-year-old female student. Karl’s comment: Search these WV News pages for all years and you can easily follow a thread of sexual molestation of students by government school officials. Although the following is not verifiable, it is worth noting. A comment to the news article was posted: “ This was common practice while I was in high school. We had one teacher that was just a few years older than us and he got more girls than any of us! Plus we had another teacher get pregnant by a student. All of this is in a small Wyoming county school.”

Police remove juvenile from GW, school put on lockdown (June 1, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201006010276
From the article: Police escorted a teenage male from George Washington High School in Charleston early Tuesday morning because he was in the school gym and apparently under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Principal Missy Ruddle said. Karl’s comment: He was from a feeder middle school.

Students who drop out hurt state, Wise says (May 24, 2010 )
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201005240754
From the article: According to a report released by the Alliance for Excellent Education on Monday, West Virginia will lose $1.8 billion in lifetime earnings for the 2009 class of dropouts alone…If all of West Virginia's students were adequately prepared for college when they received their diplomas, the report says, the state would save $3.8 million a year in lost wages and community college remediation costs alone….Wise said about 30 percent of West Virginia's high school students drop out before graduating. He said another 30 percent graduate without the knowledge necessary to make them successful in college or in industry. More than 6,900 students dropped out of West Virginia high schools in 2009 alone, according to the report…"We can't get there from here if we keep doing the things we've been doing," (Wise)he said…But the former governor said it's time for unions to stop blocking education reform. Karl’s comment: A word to the wise—Rescue your children from that mess. If the world survives, it will be more of the same and worse in ten years.

Stats underscore push for state education change (May 23, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201005230182
From the article: While West Virginia's policymakers differ over which education proposals to pursue once the special legislative session resumes, few disagree that most signs point to a need for changes to the state's public schools.

The latest test scores and other figures from the National Center for Education Statistics suggest a struggling system:

• 39 percent of West Virginia's eighth-graders scored below basic proficiency for math, as measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Only Washington, D.C., and four other states had larger portions of their students scoring below basic, which indicates that such children lag two to three grade levels behind.
• 23 percent of the state's fourth-grades scored that poorly in math, the ninth largest share nationwide.
• West Virginia was also among the top 10 states for percentages of both eighth- and fourth-graders scoring below basic proficiency in reading.
• The state ranked at or close to the bottom for the percentage of both eighth- and fourth-grade students who displayed advanced proficiency at either math or reading.

The governor's agenda bogged down amid lawmaker complaints that it sought to alter education policies to chase federal dollars. But Manchin's predecessor says the Legislature should focus on the changes promoted by the Obama administration through its offer of aid.

Former Gov. Bob Wise became president of the Alliance for Excellent Education shortly after leaving public office in early 2005. The Washington, D.C.-based group seeks to help high schools realize their 21st-century mission of graduating students ready for colleges and careers.

"The reality is in this country, we're facing what I call a General Motors moment," Wise said. "We don't have as much money as we did to spend on education. We've not had great outcomes from what we did spend."

Karl’s comment: Government officials are finally catching on to what I have been saying for four years—government schools are failures. If only parents would understand what I also have been saying—more money will not solve the problem.

Teacher charged with sex abuse of student (May 22, 2010)
http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x2023216122/Teacher-charged-with-sex-abuse-of-student/print
From the article: An Independence High School teacher was arrested Friday and charged with sexually abusing a 17-year-old female student, State Police said…(He) taught English at Independence and had an ongoing relationship with the student for about five months, Trooper 1st Class Jim Mitchell said…“The personnel department tries to screen out people who could potentially pose a threat to students, but sometimes the background checks come back with nothing and this kind of thing still happens,” she said. “This is out of our control, but I would like to think that we have more good teachers than bad.”…(He) was nominated for Raleigh County teacher of the year last year. Karl’s comment: Search these WV News pages for all years and you can easily follow a thread of sexual molestation of students by government school officials.

Students get a little help for Westest (May 20, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201005190948
From the article: (A) fourth-grade math teacher at Kanawha City Elementary, said she believes that the state now permits use of calculators mainly to prop up overall scores, which fell last year…(She) said she suspects education department officials are permitting calculator use on the entire Westest only because they hope it will increase students' scores. "The main thing they want is for the test scores to be up," (she) said. "It's got to be. Why else would they be doing it?" Westest scores around the state dropped dramatically last year when the education department launched its new, more difficult test. Karl’s comment: Students using calculators may not be bad. Calculating school officials is another issue.

Bad teachers a touchy subject in education debate (May 16, 2010) http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201005160231
From the article: Manchin cites such statistics as the one ranking West Virginia behind all but nine other states for 4th-grade math test scores. He ties those results to the state's dead-last rate for adults with a four-year college degree. Karl’s comment: The headline says it all.

Teen violence (May 12, 2010)
Http://www.wvah.com/newsroom/shows/10wed.shtml#15 (Complete transcript provided by Gilbert Corsey)
From the article: School fights...More frequent--- and in many cases, more ferocious, than ever before. Eyewitness news anchor Gilbert Corsey talked to teachers on the front lines… (A) High School said, “It’s one person on top of the other basically just beating the crap out of them." It's gotten to a point where some teachers said they were afraid to step into some school fights. High School Teacher Kathy Hamsher said, "It can get very vicious and very ugly.” Kanawha County Schools Lead Counselor bill Mullett said, they used to fight with fists and they used to pull hair. Now there is a likelihood that someone will bring a weapon to a fight."…Teasing and merciless harassment can push teens into depression and isolation. Feelings two Elkview Middle School students shared last May. (She) said, "They would bully me about my weight and they would make up stupid rumors and spread them all through school." (Her friend) said, " I can't handle it. it just goes right through me. It makes me feel like I don't belong anywhere at school." (Her) mom Francis said her daughter talks about suicide…(A) a 20 year teacher said with little support coming from kids homes teachers are fighting a losing battle. Karl’s comment: In my “nice neighborhood” middle school I saw some vicious fights with vile cursing. I am 6’ 3” and over 200 lbs and still had to roll in the hall to break up a violent fight. Also see my March 13, 2010 article "Readin’, ‘Ritin’ ‘Rithmetic, and Religion" to see how the government schools contribute to the problem.

Friends recall man found shot with mom (May 11, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201005111069
From the article: While a student at Capital High School in 2001, Adams helped to organize the school's Gay/Straight Alliance. During an interview at that time, Adams talked about his involvement with the club. "Before I came out, I didn't have a safe place and it was more depressing," he said. "I wanted other students to have a safe haven, a safe place to talk that wouldn't go out of the classroom. Plus, it was cool meeting people who were having the same feelings of rejection and seclusion." Six students attended the first meeting. Adams said they chose officers and talked about other gay/straight support groups in Charleston. Karl’s comment: The article is about a murder- suicide. There is nothing gay about homosexuality. Parents should note the club and figure that there are other such clubs in West Virginia schools.

Bible Center School gets new principal (May 7, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201005060823
From the article: "I spent 31 years in public education where I could not pray or use God's name," he said. "Now I can pray and teach. I am looking forward to that. That is priceless…"We must show we are better than public school," he said. "If we aren't, why not choose free? We have to be the best at what we do and promote that. We have to show this is good and it's about God…Elmore added, "In public education there are so many problems and you can't discuss God. Once God is out of the equation, you get the problems we have today." Karl’s comment: Amen brother!

Duerring outlines his hopes for special session (April 30, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201004290934
From the article: Kanawha County Schools Superintendent Ron Duerring has a wish list for West Virginia's upcoming special session. He would like to see legislation that would make it easier to take underperforming teachers…Duerring said teacher firings are "more common than you think" but said the current teacher evaluation process is "very cumbersome."..It can take years sometimes to remove a poor performing teacher," he said… The superintendent said schools wouldn't be rated according to how well students do on tests but on how much progress students are making…Convincing teachers to come to West Virginia proves difficult when other states offer better pay and benefits, he said. Karl’s comment: (1) He admitted there are lousy teachers. (2) If firings are so common, why did it not bring the data? (3) If tests do not determine student achievement then what does? He would say test are “one” of many criteria. The other evaluation methods would have to be subjective and used to cover-up objective testing. See The Nation’s Report Card. (4) Talented teachers are native to West Virginia. Many are in Christian schools or homeschooling their children. (5) Wanting more money is his bottom line just like the teacher unions.

Family upset over student barred from prom (April 27, 2010) http://www.loganbanner.com/view/full_story/7222466/article-Family-upset-over-student-barred-from-prom?
From the article: The family of a Man High School student who has been barred from the prom due to excessive absences after his mom’s death says the school system should be more considerate and understanding. The sister of the boy) who has been banned from Man’s prom this Friday because he has 15 unexcused absences this year, said the school system needs to understand that the grieving process doesn’t end the day after the funeral. “Our mom got killed in a car wreck and it was unexpected… Karl’s comment: Who says government schools don’t enforce rules.

Police sent to Kanawha County middle school after gun threats reported (April 23, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201004230304
From the article: A police officer has been stationed at Hayes Middle School and additional police patrols will be sent to the school today after parents contacted administrators and authorities to report some students claimed they would bring guns onto the campus…Crawford said he also plans to send additional officers to patrol the school throughout the day…Melanie Vickers, Kanawha County's assistant superintendent for middle schools, said the incident was "completely blown out of proportion." Karl’s comment: Mrs. Vickers said it was about video games. That is certainly not as serious as a real gun, but still an impetus for violence.

Report: Substance abuse costly for W.Va. schools (April 23, 2010 )
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201004230289
From the article: A new report says West Virginia's schools spend $13 million a year to deal with substance abuse, and the problem will get worse if the state doesn't address it. Karl’s comment: Christian parents must RESCUE THEIR CHILDREN.

Manchin wants to streamline education (April 23, 2010) http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201004220781
From the article: Gov. Joe Manchin says strict teacher hiring and firing laws should be softened to make it easier to get rid of poor teachers… But getting any bills pushed through the Legislature during the upcoming special session - especially the teacher-heavy House Education Committee - may prove difficult for Manchin. Karl’s comment: This was a problem for all 35 years of my career. I saw hundreds of students have an entire year wasted due to pathetic “professionals.”The power players will not allow it to change.

Pratt school evacuated after police call (April 21, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201004210850
From the article: Lt. Bryan Stover of the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department said a woman in Pratt called deputies about 4 a.m. from a neighbor's house because her husband was apparently suffering from dementia and had access to a gun…But some parents questioned why school was allowed to open to begin with. The man lives just a few feet away from the school, and parents complained that students were allowed to walk right past the house into the school Wednesday morning. Karl’s comment: Highly paid professionals at work.

Five Kanawha principals to step down (April 20, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201004200767
From the article: Five Kanawha County principals have agreed to step down so their schools can each receive up to $2 million in federal "turnaround" money… The state Department of Education identified the five schools as among 33 of the state's lowest-performing schools…(the) schools will see changes to curriculum, training for teachers and staff, extended learning time and other strategies to help better each child's achievement… Two other Kanawha schools -- Hayes Middle School and Cedar Grove Elementary School -- also are among the 33 low-performing schools the state has identified. Karl’s comment: Two of the principals will become "transformational specialists" to “help the lowest-achieving schools” and two others will become assistant principals.

Charter schools top school board's list (April 20, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201004190792
From the article: The state Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved a wish list of legislation it hopes will bolster the state's second-round application for federal Race to the Top dollars.  The big-ticket recommendations included new charter school legislation, called "Charter Innovation Zones 2.0;" alternative certification programs for non-teachers; a teacher performance monitoring system based on student performance and other factors; incentive-based pay for teachers; and changes that would allow the state board to remove ineffective principals in a timely fashion. Karl’s comment: There wish list has been solved by homeschoolers and most Christian schools without costing the tax-payer one penny.

W.Va. raises mastery scale for achievement test (April 15, 2010) http://www.dailymail.com/News/201004150377)
From the article: The West Virginia Board of Education has raised the bar for mastering proficiency on the state's standardized achievement test. Board members on Wednesday increased the scores students must achieve to master the WESTEST 2's proficiency levels for math and other core subjects. Karl’s comment: They are admitting that the standard has been low. Raising the bar is meaningless unless the test is tough.

Drug dogs sweep parking lot (March 31, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201003300824
From the article: Assistant Principal Brad Marano said the animals "hit on" four cars but no drugs were found. Police dogs can smell passengers who've had contact with drugs even if no illegal substances are in the vehicle. Karl’s comment: There is a lot more to the drug problem in public schools than these dogs sniffed

Kanawha teachers lead in lost workdays due to injury (March 25, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201003241142
From the article: Their injuries have included broken legs and wrists, bruises and bumps from falls and one "sprained head" sustained when a student hit a teacher in the head, Jarrett said. Karl’s comment: KCSWWF.

W.Va. students' reading scores below US average (March 24, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201003240526
From the article: West Virginia's students fared more poorly than their peers nationwide on national reading exams last year. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 22 percent of public school eighth-graders achieved "proficient'' or "advanced'' scores in 2009, compared to 23 percent in 2007. Twenty-six percent of fourth-graders achieved at least proficient scores, compared to 28 percent in 2007, according to a report released Wednesday. The tests, also known as "the nation's report card,'' are considered the best gauge of public schools' student performance in core subjects. Nationally, 30 percent of eighth-graders demonstrated reading proficiency. Among fourth-graders, 32 percent were at or above proficient. Karl’s comment: Your hard earned tax dollars at work. See the entry for January 26, 2010.

Mural reflects school philosophy (March 22, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201003210445
From the article: Since the beginning of the year, Pinch Elementary students have worked on a giant tile mural reflecting best-selling author Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." Seven months after work commenced, the mural is finished. State Schools Superintendent Steve Paine was on hand at an assembly Friday to mark the occasion. "You can't go wrong if you follow these habits," he told students. "Through our collective energy, we can do just about anything." Karl’s comments: See #20 "Stealth Tactics" at http://insectman.us/misc/creation/common-thread-addendum.htm.

Manchin calls for action on schools (March 15, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statehouse/201003140546
From the article: "To continue to do what we have always done and expect different results is no longer an option," Manchin said in a letter to state board members…Manchin included data showing West Virginia's schools rank at or near the bottom in producing college and high school graduates and that eighth graders do poorly in math compared to the rest of the country. The letter also notes how much the state spends on public education. Including state, federal and county funds, the state lays out $3.5 billion a year for education. That's 5.15 percent of the overall personal income of every West Virginian spent on public education, the fourth highest percentage in the country…And even though the median income in West Virginia is second lowest in the nation, the state manages to spend more per student ($11,488) than the national average ($10,557).  "West Virginia lags far behind other states in educational attainment, especially when considering the level of funding that is dedicated every year toward public education," Manchin said in the letter…Manchin said it's not a case of too little money.  "Money doesn't fix the problem," he said. Karl’s comment: The governor must have been reading my prvious comments and articles. He may be busy for charter schools which are a small step to educational freedom.See October 29 below.

W.Va. gets $22 million to turn around bad schools (March 11, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201003111009
From the article: Nearly $22 million in federal stimulus money will help West Virginia's worst schools take drastic measures, including replacing principals and overhauling curriculum…"Turning around our worst performing schools is difficult for everyone but it is critical that we show the courage to do the right thing by kids.'' Thirty-three schools in 20 West Virginia counties, including Berkeley, Kanawha and Wood, are eligible to apply… Karl’s comment: Money won’t buy love and it won’t fix the unfixable. Government schools are a dinosaur that needs to go extinct.

Manchin has stern words for state school board (March 10, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201003100577
From the article: The first lady also chimed in, citing McDowell County School's lack of progress after almost a decade of state board control….In a report presented to board members in January, Seal's office found that McDowell schools didn't make Adequate Yearly Progress in the 2008-2009 school year and five of the county's schools have missed AYP in the last five years. McDowell's average ACT composite scores also dropped, going from 18.4 in 2007-2008 to 17.9 in 2008-2009, just below the county's 2002-2003 score of 18.0. The county's SAT math scores dropped, too. In the school year 2002-2003, students' average score was 450. In 2008-2009, students' average score was 438. The state board took over McDowell schools in 2001 after auditors found over 200 violations including nepotism, poor academics, old facilities and improper accounting procedures. Karl’s comment: The spin on this is that other counties got off the state’s full control list. Still, the state (federal, state, and county) controlled the schools which are almost all performing poorly. (Also see 2-11 below.)

Greenbrier West teacher accused of sexually abusing student (March 5, 2010)
http://www.register-herald.com/local/x1029314797/Greenbrier-West-teacher-accused-of-sexually-abusing-student
From the article: A teacher at Greenbrier West High School was arrested Friday and charged with sexually abusing a 17-year-old student at the Charmco school, police said…(He) teaches psychology and civics at Greenbrier West and has a background as a law enforcement officer… Karl’s comment: : You can easily follow common threads of public school sex problems (including teachers with students and promotion of sexual perversion) in these West Virginia News headlines. It goes all the way back to 1975 (the year after the Textbook Controversy). See The Wayback Machine.

Photo of school girl on toilet posted online (March 8, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201003070561
From the article: Two classmates conspired to take a photo of a 13-year-old Sissonville Middle School student sitting on a toilet and posted the picture on MySpace, the girl's father said…The school system's response to the incident has been inadequate, said (the father). Karl’s comment: None.

17 states to fight dismal college completion rates (March 2, 2010 )
http://www.dailymail.com/News/NationandWorld/201003020618
From the article: More than a dozen states (including West Virginia) have formed an alliance to battle dismal college completion rates and figure out how to get more students to follow through and earn their diplomas. Karl’s comment: The problem is the por foundation laid in the public schools.  

Putnam Parents Speak Out About Safety Of Children (March 1, 2010)
http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=76044&catid=45
From the article: Concerned parents attended a Putnam County Board of Education meeting to discuss an alleged verbal assault of a principal by a parent. "They shouldn't have to hear this at an early age life is hard enough they don’t need to hear it now," said (a) grandparent. Karl’s comment: Real concerned parents would want to keep their children from hearing the humanist brainwashing that goes on everyday.

Schools in dark about troubled students (February 27, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201002270524
From the article: The 15-year-old boy charged with two counts of first-degree murder in a Kanawha City shooting had recently been released from a secured juvenile detention facility and was enrolled at Capital High School at the time of the slayings, said Capital Principal Clinton Giles.."We knew nothing about his history, and that's where the problem arises."…Giles said it is routine for him to learn little about a student's past when he comes from a secure detention facility, a fact that greatly concerns him..."There are threats from outside [the school] and threats from within. And those from within are becoming increasingly more difficult to contend with,"…Giles is not the only principal to express concern about the lack of information they receive about kids involved in the juvenile justice system. ..George Washington High School Principal Melissa Ruddle said that when students have committed violent acts or drug offenses - and later return to the regular high school - she does not always know what the student did. Karl’s comment: The situation is serious, but the danger to oter students from the system itself is much more insidious.

Bus Stop Problems (February 26, 2010)
http://www.wvah.com/newsroom/shows/10fri.shtml#4
From the article: (The boy) is the second kindergartener this week enrolled in Kanawha County Schools bus safety tag program to be left at a stop with no one to take him home by mistake…so this five year old and his nine year old sister we're left on bigley avenue in the middle of the afternoon. (The parent said), “If it hadn't been for my pastor they wouldn't have had anywhere to go…they say mistakes happen. Well if (he) would have walked in front of a car and been killed I can't accept that a mistake killed my by…This comes just days after an Anne Bailey father was arrested after he went to the school angry because his 6-year old was left alone at the wrong stop in Saint Albans. Karl’s comment: Praise God the children were not harmed by that particular danger. The “mistake” is the pastor not guiding the parents to rescue their children from the on-going danger of being in a government school.

Lawyer: W.Va. teacher facing knife charge resigned (February 25, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201002250285
From the article: A teacher charged with bringing a weapon into Jefferson High School is now unemployed, but her lawyer says she wasn't fired… They were summoned to the school in January after people became concerned about (her) behavior in the classroom. Police say Taylor later tested positive for cocaine and prescription drugs. Karl’s comment: Another WV teacher at work

Lockdown Lifted at St. Albans School (February 24, 2010)
http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=75707&catid=45
From the article: A St. Albans school was placed on lockdown Wednesday morning after a parent allegedly threatened officials. Kanawha County deputies assigned extra security at Anne Bailey Elementary School after a parent allegedly threatened to shoot officials. According to Kanawha County Sheriff's deputies, (the parent), 33, of Charleston called the school allegedly screaming at officials after his kindergarten-age child was placed on the wrong bus Tuesday evening. Karl’s comment: Kindergarten kids are in danger from much more than being put on the wrong bus.

W.Va. student charged with texting death threats (February 18, 2010) http://www.dailymail.com/News/201002180349
From the article: An East Fairmont High School student is free on $15,000 bond after allegedly text-messaging death threats to two other students and warning of action against the school itself. Karl’s comment: I pray that I am wrong, but it may just be a matter of time.

Short school days taken in stride (February 12, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201002110628
From the article: South Charleston High Principal Michael Arbogast said teachers do their best to provide as much instruction time as possible when there's a two-hour delay. Karl’s comment: They can claim there is not much lost, but reality says otherwise.

McDowell County to regain control of schools (February 11, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201002110485
From the article: McDowell County will regain full control of its schools within two years…The state seized control of the school system in 2001 after an audit found more than 260 deficiencies, including low student test scores, a lack of teacher certification and decaying. Karl’s comment: This has happened several times in West Virginia.

State taking over Fayette Co. schools (February 11, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201002110383
From the article: rriculum and facilities problems prompted the state Board of Education to take over Fayette County's school system on Thursday. Although many initiatives have been undertaken to improve curriculum and instruction in the county, overall student performance, including standard achievement test scores and graduation rates, has declined, said Kenna Seal, executive director of the Office of Education Performance Audits.. The state board had declared a state of emergency for the Fayette County school system in 2007 after an audit found irregularities in hiring and financial practices, low student achievement and poor leadership. Karl’s comment: This has happened several times in West Virginia.

STUDENTS' ADVANCED TEST SUCCESS LIMITED (February 11, 2010)
http://wvgazette.com/search/News/200804250424
From the article: In 2009, fewer than eight in 100 seniors in the graduating class had earned a 3 (passing on a scale of 5) on at least one Advanced Placement exams during high school. That percentage ranks West Virginia among the lowest seven states and the District of Columbia. Karl’s comment: The spin on this is that more students are taking and passing the test. That “spin” is like a wobbling top.

W.Va. is 45th in Advanced Placement test rankings (February 10, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201002100425
From the article: West Virginia ranked 45th nationwide in the percentage of public high school seniors earning a score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement examinations…The College Board says a score of 3 is a predictor of college success. Karl’s comment: School officials will claim that the scores are improving since it gained 1.4 percentage points since 2004, but the fact is that only five states are worse than West Virginia.

Issues threaten shortfall in Kanawha school budget (February 9, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201002090623
From the article: "I think our school system has a direct impact on the economy of this valley because we're the second-largest employer in the county," Duerring said. Karl’s comment: Sadly, that much money causes many people to sacrifice children on pagan school altars.

W.Va. plan for dropouts: Raise the age (February 9, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201002090472
From the article: West Virginia's high school dropout rate is about 17 percent, according to the most recent Kids Count report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. That's an increase from 16.4 percent in 2000, a trend that had lawmakers convene an interim study committee to consider methods that could reverse the growth. Karl’s comment: That’s the real race to the top.

(Vandalism) (January 22, 2010)
http://www.wvbusinessvoice.com/index.php?ht=display/ContentDetails/i/872975
From the article: In other business, school board members learned that custodians at Riverside High School have painted the bathrooms near the gym -- which see a large amount of graffiti -- with a clear paint that allows custodians to wipe graffiti off the walls with a simple nail-polish remover. Karl’s comment: This piece was part of an article about the teachers’ union complaint that staff development is a waste of time. However, it is more important for the public to see an example of the typical school environment.

Raleigh Co. school guard suspended (February 4, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201002040333
From the article: A Shady Spring High School security guard has been temporarily suspended after a parent alleged that he assaulted her son...(The mother) alleges that the guard threw her 15-year-old son against a school building twice and then held the boy on the ground with his foot. Karl’s comment: Welcome to WWGS (World Wrestling Government Schools)

W.Va. 49th in income, 16th in school spending (January 26, 2010)
http://www.loganbanner.com/view/full_story/5663236/article-W-Va--49th-in-income--16th-in-school-spending?
From the article: The state ranked 16th in school spending per pupil at $11,500 - or 10 percent above the national average. That is an achievement for a state that is 49th in the nation in per capita income - 24 percent below the national average. Karl’s comment: More money is not the answer.

Putnam to participate in dropout taskforce (January 26, 2010 )
http://www.dailymail.com/News/PutnamCounty/201001260742
From the article: Lawmakers said the high dropout rates, along with comparatively low math and reading scores, show that the state's public schools are not meeting expectations. Karl’s comment: See January 11 below.

Victim returns to testify against former educator (January 26, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201001250723
From the article: On Monday, (the victim), 45, once again took the stand against… her former junior high school assistant principal. It was 10 years to the day that Parsons was convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse against Uhl and several other girls, and it was the 67-year-old's first parole hearing... (She) first came to prosecutors in 1993, telling them (he) sexually abused her in eighth and ninth grades in the late 1970s. Now, in her forties and living in Texas, she said her adolescent years were a "nightmare" filled with "perverted sex and constant fear" - including sodomy and death threats - according to her court testimony. (She) said (he) constantly threatened to kill her or her family members members if she ever spoke of their relationship. Three other women testified against the former principal with similar but less-graphic stories. Karl’s comment: You can easily follow common threads of public school sex problems (including teachers with students and promotion of sexual perversion) in these West Virginia News headlines. It goes all the way back to 1975 (the year after the Textbook Controversy). See The Wayback Machine.

In teaching young students, does calculator use add up? (January 25, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201001240421
From the article: Delegate Ray Canterbury, R-Greenbrier, has noticed a problem. "It seems like everywhere I go, people, particularly young people, can't even make change," he said...Cynthia Brown, an eighth-grade math teacher at South Charleston Middle, said even some of her higher-level math students can't do multiplication by hand. Karl’s comment: Blaming the calculator use is not the answer to the obvious problem.

Education Department now watches its costs (January 24, 2010)
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201001240439
From the article: So it was gratifying to learn that the Department of Education is revamping its continuing professional education program -- in part because of reports in this column about exorbitant spending on conferences at posh locations, including Morgantown's Waterfront Place hotel. Karl’s comment: Your highly trained professional educators spending your hard-earned tax money.

State officials pitch merit pay in Race to the Top application (January 22, 2010) http://www.dailymail.com/News/201001220401
From the article: In West Virginia's application for a piece of the U.S. Education Department's several-billion-dollar "Race to the Top" fund, state education officials promise they will use part of the $80 million they are requesting to create measurements to assess students and teachers and to create pilot programs to pay teachers for how well they and their students are doing in the classroom…The West Virginia Schools Innovation Zone Act, passed in a special legislative session in summer 2009, allows schools or groups of schools to ask for exemptions to state and county codes and polices, with certain restrictions…The state has been working hard on applying for the Race to the Top funds, which the Obama administration is essentially using as a carrot to reform education across the country by pushing performance pay for teachers and charter schools…State teachers unions generally oppose both ideas…If the state gets the Race to the Top funds, which would be spent over four years from 2010 to 2014, that $80 million would amount to about 1 percent of the money spent on public education in West Virginia during that period, which is about $2 billion a year, including existing federal dollars. Karl’s comment: The MONEY is big, but so are the stakes for what ultimately will be a One World educational system. Here are some snips from a commentary about the fisrt step—complete national control of education. (A) bid to nationalize K-12 education is going forward….states seeking to win juicy shares of the $4.35 billion in one-time education grants dangled before them by the Obama administration must agree to adopt a set of national education standards and a national test…Race to the Top…states will have no real shot at this slush fund unless they have agreed to adopt “common standards” and “common assessments”…consortium of Big Education interests behind the Common Core State Standards Initiative (http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_holland22_01-22-10_P3H34U2_v29.3f8da91.html)

W.Va. teacher accused of battery of disabled child (January 15, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201001150410
From the article: A Marshall County schoolteacher is facing battery charges over her handling of an 11-year-old with Down syndrome. (From another article http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/533205.html ): Cramer said the two counts of battery are the result of (her) allegedly smacking the boy's bottom and placing her hand on his forehead and pushing his head into the wall. The smack on the bottom left a handprint, according to the complaint. Karl’s comment: Sob.

State schools receive good marks in report (January 15, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201001140677
From the article: Education Week's Quality Counts 2010 gave West Virginia a B-minus for its education system, ranking the state ninth in the nation…The state received an A in the "Standards, Assessments, and Accountability" section of its report, making West Virginia first in the nation. The category focuses on state education standards, how student performance is measured, and whether schools are held accountable for their students' performance. Karl’s comment: The report is practically meaningless. It basically says that the state does good paperwork and do things like give “time for teacher professional development”. Any so-called high standars must be viewed in the context of whether of not students reach standards that mean something. See:
W.Va. students' math scores below U.S. average (October 14, 2009)
Schools ask for time out on No Child Left Behind (November 11, 2008)
State Student Test Scores Improve (June 6, 2007)
That is what the tax-payer gets for it’s big-money investment. The article disclosed that “ West Virginia spends around $11,500 per public school student. That makes the state 16th in the nation. The national average expenditure is about $10,500 per child.”

Some canceled days may be lost for good (January 12, 2010)
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201001110562
From the article: Students around the state might be enjoying all the time off school because of recent snowstorms, but education officials say they might not be able to make up their lost instructional days by the end of the year… The superintendent said by the time a Webster student graduates from high school, they've typically missed about 150 snow days - almost as much time as a 180-day school year. Karl’s comment: Same song, different verse. We had this issue when I was a principal over 30 years ago. There are no missed days due to snow for homeschoolers.

1 in 4 W.Va. high school kids drop out, audit finds (January 11, 2010) http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201001110506
From the article: About one of every four high school students in the state drop out without earning a diploma…The report found that the formula the state Department of Education has used to track graduation rates inflated figures, showing graduation rates averaging about 84 percent statewide. However, a new, more accurate formula found that only 75 percent of state students enrolling in ninth grade went on to receive their diplomas after four years…In 2008, Kanawha County had the lowest graduation rate in he state, at 68 percent… Helmick said the high dropout rates, along with comparatively low math and reading test scores cited in the report, show that the state's public schools are not meeting expectations. "Not only do we have children graduating with poor reading and poor math skills, but we're also losing a $100,000 (sic) investment for every child that drops out," he (Senate Finance Chairman Walt Helmick, D-Pocahontas) said. "There's $100,000 thrown away," Helmick said, referring to the roughly $10,000-a-year cost to educate each child. Karl’s comment: I don’t mind saying, “I told you so.” See my March 13, 2007 article.

Judy Hale: State sailing against the wind in recruiting qualified teachers (January 9, 2010)
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/x300704711/State-sailing-against-the-wind-in-recruiting-qualified-teachers
From the article: Unfortunately, odds are pretty good that a student who took chemistry, math, foreign language or even language arts in a West Virginia public high school last year did not have a teacher who was specifically trained to teach the class. In other words, the teacher was not certified to teach the subject matter. In fact, according to a recent report, 56 percent of chemistry positions in our schools went unfilled just two years ago, meaning teachers with -- at best -- some science background filled in. Over the past two school years, 10 percent of all classroom positions posted were not filled by educators certified in the specific area. Karl’s’ comment: The teacher union leader’s comments speak for themselves. Also see January 4.

Let's talk about the lack of certified teachers (January 4 2010)
http://www.allbusiness.com/education-training/teaching-teachers-teacher-certification/13679963-1.html
From the article: As I have said before, AFT-WV is not blindly against charter schools (with certain caveats). In fact, years before the charter school movement was co-opted by right wing ideologues, AFT President Al Shanker envisioned charter schools as centers of innovation for academic excellence…Let's use the next 60 days to find creative solutions to address the real problem facing public education - the lack of certified teachers and qualified school service personnel. Written by Judy Hale, president WV American Federation of Teachers. Karl’s comment: Those “caveats” revolve around union control of charter schools. Shanker was a socialist who promoted charter schools and later repudiated them because he thought they were anti-vovernment controlled education (http://www.educationsector.org/analysis/analysis_show.htm?doc_id=516413). It is interesting that Ms. Hale admits there are unqualified teachers in school buildings.

Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.  A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles. (http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quotes_by/patrick+henry)

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