Ok, I don't have much time to comment yet, but here are a few headlines I've found interesting:
The alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, has reportedly confessed. I mentioned this in class today. He has taken credit for dozens of terrorist attacks. Here are some articles on the topic: Suspected Mastermind Of 9/11 Confesses; Terror Suspect Said to Confess to Other Acts; Can KSM's Confession Be Believed?; Mohammed Confession Leaves Room for Skepticism
Senate Debates Resolution Calling for Iraq WithdrawalKnight Ridder/Tribune News Service.March 14, 2007
WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans will buckle down Thursday to try to prevent passage of a Democratic resolution that calls for getting most American forces out of Iraq by March 2008
Pentagon Report Acknowledges 'Civil War' in Iraq
March 15, 2007 · The Pentagon's quarterly update to Congress on the Iraq war is out, and the assessment is grim. For the first time, it uses the term "civil war" to describe the violence in Iraq.
Committee Endorses Bill to Give D.C. Full Voting Rights in HouseThe Washington PostMarch 14, 2007
A congressional committee approved a bill yesterday granting the District a full vote in the House of Representatives, giving the measure its first victory in what will probably be weeks of fierce wrangling as it moves through Congress.
Report: Federal Spending on Children Dropping
March 15, 2007 · An Urban Institute report indicates that the share of the federal domestic budget devoted to children is falling. Researchers say the number could drop even more in coming years.
WASL Time: and the State Legislature is pondering what to do about the high-stakes test - Students start taking WASL; lawmakers debate its future
Other local and state issues: (Keep in mind bills must pass both houses of the legislature and be signed into law by the governor.)
Sex-education bill passes state Senate
Students return to school after suspended for praying
Ban on cellphones for drivers advances
State Senate passes a variety of education bills
House approves simple majority approval of school taxes
WA House passes measure to inform parents about HPV
UPDATES: Senate rejects timetable for troop withdrawal
Sen. Pryor: Attorney General lied to the Senate
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7 comments:
I thought the article about wasl testung guidlines was very interesting. I think that students should not be required to pass the wasl in order to graduate. I don't think this would be fair because some people are just not good test takers and some students might be learning english as a second language. Also, I think that requiring students to pass the wasl will increase drop out rates becaue they might figure I didn't pass the wasl test so I can't graduate so why even stay in school. It is unfair to require students to pass all sections of the wasl in order to graduate from high school.
I liked the article about the WASL. I agreed with some of the opinions in this article, mostly the ones that were against it. Passing of the WASL should not determine whether or not students are able to graduate, because not all of the students skills can be displayed through a test. Just because the student does not pass certain parts of it, does not mean that they are not well educated in that area. I also agreed where they were talking about equal oppritunity between students, and how the WASL is not always fair in the way it can single out different types of people by whether or not they have passed it. This article was very interesting.
About the cell phones being banned during driving...
Its proven by the statistics in the article that the use of cell phones causes many accidents. But I don't think making them illegal while driving is the answer. I agree with senator Eide that it is not about having one hand off the wheel that causes the accidents, its the lack of mental focus on the road. Although I can see where the law is necessary for some people who abuse the use of their cell phones during driving, taking them away totally defeats their purpose. I am not one to chit-chat on my cell phone and if it does ring while i'm driving i have a quick 30-60 second conversation. I think thats what cell phones are made for and that is how people should use them not to have long conversations with friends or business calls while driving.
i agree with mindee on the article about the wasl. personally, i didn't pass the math wasl by 2 points, but i am getting a B in IB math studies. standardized tests don't accurately reflect on a persons skills in a certain field of study and i don't think it should determine if we should graduate or not. i think our grades and our credits should determine whether or not we graduate.
im commenting about the senate trying to get the troops out of iraq. i think thst it is a wonderful idea to try and get our soldiers out of iraaq as soon as possible. i think that if we stay over there for too long, then iraq's own forces cant become confident without us and wont be able to keep things stable when we do finnaly leave. the republicans talk about how it would undermine the whole mission if we were to leave now but honestly, i am not even totally sure what our mission is anymore. i think iraq should build up there own goverment as a nation rather than us telling them gow to build their goverment. we arent the people who have to live under it. they are.
p.s. this was to makeup for the current event i missed because i was in hawaii and didnt realise i had to do it =D
hey corragio it's nick,
so i'm commenting on the students being suspended for praying, So what i don't understand how the right to freedom of religion can be ignored like that, and why are they the ones who get suspended what were they doing wrong? nothing they were basically doing what everyone does in the mornings, stand around and talk, except they were talking to God, whats the big deal?it's a complete violation of the first ammendment
commenting on:
students start taking the WASL:
Extra credit:
I think that there should not be a requirment to pass the wasl in order to graduate until all the confusion over it is settled and when all teachers are teaching the same to all students to prep them for the wasl. Until then i think all tests should be considered practice and the emphasis over passing should be dropped. students already have enough to worry about they don't need more confusion. also at this point the test may not be fair to all students so that is something that needs to be determined way before they require ALL students to pass it.
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