sumneram
State Sen. Diane Black on Gordon's seat: "I am giving it some consideration. It is something I have thought about for a number of years."
Monday, December 14, 2009
Bart Gordon Retiring
Here's the story.
This will likely lead to a flurry of candidates. State Senator Diane Black? Maybe. State Senator Jim Tracy? I'm betting YES.
Most political types are circumspect when asked about things like this.
I would be lying if I said I was NOT interested in being a Democratic candidate for this seat.
I am interested.
I'd like to find out who else is. But this has piqued my interest and my desire to serve the people of the 6th Congressional District of Tennessee.
This will likely lead to a flurry of candidates. State Senator Diane Black? Maybe. State Senator Jim Tracy? I'm betting YES.
Most political types are circumspect when asked about things like this.
I would be lying if I said I was NOT interested in being a Democratic candidate for this seat.
I am interested.
I'd like to find out who else is. But this has piqued my interest and my desire to serve the people of the 6th Congressional District of Tennessee.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Should we pay teachers more?
This is an age-old argument in education reform.
Should teachers make more money? Will paying teachers more improve student achievement? Will it increase retention? Will it make teachers happier and thus more likely to perform at a consistently high level.
Many people now say we don't need more money to improve education. And these same people argue that paying teachers more will not improve outcomes.
Here's what I find interesting. Many of these very same people argue that we can't have so-called "government-run" healthcare because it will limit the salaries doctors can make. They say that the best and brightest are attracted to medicine because it is challenging, impacts people's lives, and is financially rewarding.
I tend to think this argument makes some sense. Smart, talented people want a job that is challenging, that maximizes their talents, that has a big impact, and that rewards them for their effort.
So, why do we continue to pay teachers so little? If we believe that the smartest, most talented people will gravitate toward careers that provide significant financial rewards (law, medicine, engineering, business), what statement are we making by paying teachers low salaries?
Conversely, if we want more bright math minds in our schools, more talented writers teaching our children to write, shouldn't we provide them with an opportunity that is challenging, has a big impact, and is rewarding financially?
Teaching is definitely challenging. And it definitely can have a big impact. But when given an array of choices among jobs that meet those two criteria, how likely are the best and brightest to choose the least financially rewarding?
I'm not suggesting we make teachers the highest paid professionals in America (though they do have stewardship of our children for a long period of time). I am suggesting that if we truly want to improve outcomes and attract the best to the profession, we should expect to pay for it.
Starting salaries in the mid-40s to 50s and increases based on performance measures to get the best teachers above $100,000 a year. Good teachers could make $75,000 or more.
Even at the level I'm describing, we're not making teaching the most financially rewarding field. In fact, it may still be on the lower end of the scale. But it certainly makes teaching competitive with other professions that attract the best students our colleges have to offer.
Should teachers make more money? Will paying teachers more improve student achievement? Will it increase retention? Will it make teachers happier and thus more likely to perform at a consistently high level.
Many people now say we don't need more money to improve education. And these same people argue that paying teachers more will not improve outcomes.
Here's what I find interesting. Many of these very same people argue that we can't have so-called "government-run" healthcare because it will limit the salaries doctors can make. They say that the best and brightest are attracted to medicine because it is challenging, impacts people's lives, and is financially rewarding.
I tend to think this argument makes some sense. Smart, talented people want a job that is challenging, that maximizes their talents, that has a big impact, and that rewards them for their effort.
So, why do we continue to pay teachers so little? If we believe that the smartest, most talented people will gravitate toward careers that provide significant financial rewards (law, medicine, engineering, business), what statement are we making by paying teachers low salaries?
Conversely, if we want more bright math minds in our schools, more talented writers teaching our children to write, shouldn't we provide them with an opportunity that is challenging, has a big impact, and is rewarding financially?
Teaching is definitely challenging. And it definitely can have a big impact. But when given an array of choices among jobs that meet those two criteria, how likely are the best and brightest to choose the least financially rewarding?
I'm not suggesting we make teachers the highest paid professionals in America (though they do have stewardship of our children for a long period of time). I am suggesting that if we truly want to improve outcomes and attract the best to the profession, we should expect to pay for it.
Starting salaries in the mid-40s to 50s and increases based on performance measures to get the best teachers above $100,000 a year. Good teachers could make $75,000 or more.
Even at the level I'm describing, we're not making teaching the most financially rewarding field. In fact, it may still be on the lower end of the scale. But it certainly makes teaching competitive with other professions that attract the best students our colleges have to offer.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Charter School Incubator coming to Nashville...
Here's the story from Nashville Biz Journal
not clear whether this is a state or local iniative, though in light of legislation that passed in 2009, it might make sense for their to be a statewide focus on expanding the number of Charter Schools across the state.
not clear whether this is a state or local iniative, though in light of legislation that passed in 2009, it might make sense for their to be a statewide focus on expanding the number of Charter Schools across the state.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
I will be Bank of America's CEO
YES! I will!
I'm watching CNN this morning and I hear that Bank of America is going to repay its TARP money more quickly than planned (are you listening, GOP, Bank of America is paying the money back -- that's money BACK in our Treasury's coffers) -- and they are doing so because they can't find a CEO who will work for the TARP restricted-salary. What?
Here's my proposal: I will work for Bank of America as CEO. I'll take a salary of $500,000 a year. I don't want a company car. I don't want a house or use of a BoA apartment. I will buy my own used BMW from Carmax in a few months. I have a house I like already.
I don't want a raise UNLESS I exceed agreed upon, objective performance measures. I want an evaluation with the Board of Directors every 6 months. I don't want a buyout clause. If I suck at the job, then fire me.
I'll be your next CEO, Bank of America. Just think of the money you'll save -- your investors will love it!
I know about banking. I use a bank. More importantly, I don't come with all the baggage and groupthink of someone steeped in the financial industry. And at $500,000 a year, I can live a very comfortable life. And you'll have a happy CEO, happy shareholders, and happy customers!
I'm watching CNN this morning and I hear that Bank of America is going to repay its TARP money more quickly than planned (are you listening, GOP, Bank of America is paying the money back -- that's money BACK in our Treasury's coffers) -- and they are doing so because they can't find a CEO who will work for the TARP restricted-salary. What?
Here's my proposal: I will work for Bank of America as CEO. I'll take a salary of $500,000 a year. I don't want a company car. I don't want a house or use of a BoA apartment. I will buy my own used BMW from Carmax in a few months. I have a house I like already.
I don't want a raise UNLESS I exceed agreed upon, objective performance measures. I want an evaluation with the Board of Directors every 6 months. I don't want a buyout clause. If I suck at the job, then fire me.
I'll be your next CEO, Bank of America. Just think of the money you'll save -- your investors will love it!
I know about banking. I use a bank. More importantly, I don't come with all the baggage and groupthink of someone steeped in the financial industry. And at $500,000 a year, I can live a very comfortable life. And you'll have a happy CEO, happy shareholders, and happy customers!
Ward's Out
THANK YOU!
After careful consideration and consultation with my wife Shelley, I wanted to let you know that I am discontinuing immediately my candidacy for Governor of Tennessee.
Your support in this period of political rigidity afforded my start. Thank you. I was the first Democratic candidate to enter the race, to speak at every opportunity throughout the state and the only candidate overall and thus far to set forth a specific, detailed, written plan for the state.
One year ago I entered this race to address our economic challenges of spending our money against ourselves. We source our energy from other states, constricting job growth and impeding technological progress while perpetuating damage to health and environment. Our K-12 education system loses about one-third of students while seeking self-validation and more funding. Two-thirds of our healthcare expenditures emanate from self-inflicted disease, which can be attributed to food sourcing and quality, while ignoring local and organic initiatives, branding and pricing opportunities for our 500,000 local farmers and distributors. We are a tourism state, yet mountain top removal is legal, and we lack a bottle-bill. Plus, we are a primary trans-shipment leader, but we ignore high-speed rail initiatives emerging in states surrounding us that would significantly complement tourism, build revenues and create jobs.
Traveling across the state, speaking to, and meeting with thousands of Tennesseans convinced me further of our acute challenges and the urgency of aligning our assets with our opportunities. Despite significant personal time, money and appeal of my vision for the state, long-standing political alliances proved impenetrable and fund raising ground to a halt, effectively ending the campaign.
Meanwhile, the world economy moves on and other states become increasingly strategic. With one year until our 2010 general election, I will return to private business. I will spend time with my family. I will remain active. Although I have not had a political career, I urge anyone who perceives a calling or the need to jump in and run. I am glad I did. I am grateful to you for helping. I look forward to seeing you soon. In the meantime, many, MANY thanks.
Sincerely,
Ward
After careful consideration and consultation with my wife Shelley, I wanted to let you know that I am discontinuing immediately my candidacy for Governor of Tennessee.
Your support in this period of political rigidity afforded my start. Thank you. I was the first Democratic candidate to enter the race, to speak at every opportunity throughout the state and the only candidate overall and thus far to set forth a specific, detailed, written plan for the state.
One year ago I entered this race to address our economic challenges of spending our money against ourselves. We source our energy from other states, constricting job growth and impeding technological progress while perpetuating damage to health and environment. Our K-12 education system loses about one-third of students while seeking self-validation and more funding. Two-thirds of our healthcare expenditures emanate from self-inflicted disease, which can be attributed to food sourcing and quality, while ignoring local and organic initiatives, branding and pricing opportunities for our 500,000 local farmers and distributors. We are a tourism state, yet mountain top removal is legal, and we lack a bottle-bill. Plus, we are a primary trans-shipment leader, but we ignore high-speed rail initiatives emerging in states surrounding us that would significantly complement tourism, build revenues and create jobs.
Traveling across the state, speaking to, and meeting with thousands of Tennesseans convinced me further of our acute challenges and the urgency of aligning our assets with our opportunities. Despite significant personal time, money and appeal of my vision for the state, long-standing political alliances proved impenetrable and fund raising ground to a halt, effectively ending the campaign.
Meanwhile, the world economy moves on and other states become increasingly strategic. With one year until our 2010 general election, I will return to private business. I will spend time with my family. I will remain active. Although I have not had a political career, I urge anyone who perceives a calling or the need to jump in and run. I am glad I did. I am grateful to you for helping. I look forward to seeing you soon. In the meantime, many, MANY thanks.
Sincerely,
Ward
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