In this electronic world, anonymity tends to breed a bit more aggression than in face to face discourse. Since I have established a policy that I am willing to take my hits and not eliminate anyone from commenting about me or my issues here I will continue that policy...but I would request that we make our points with the civility that is deserved of good debate and discourse.
I will be posting and releasing information with details about my agenda for public education in North Dakota. I understand that most voters are not engaged in this discussion right now. I believe that as candidates we need to make our case to whomever is willing to engage in the debate before we talk about our opponents position. I have posted my general issues in a previous post plus they are on my web site.
Much more will come as July moves on.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Press Release
For Immediate Release: Contact: Max Laird
June 12, 2008
Max Laird’s Vision for Education in North Dakota
With the June primary ‘beauty contest’ over, the real campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction begins in earnest starting today. “I intend to take my vision directly to all North Dakotans this summer with policy level detail so that no one will be able to question where I stand on helping to create a world class education system for North Dakota students,” Max Laird said. “In my years of public service, I found that North Dakotans are entitled to know more than the name of a candidate for office when it comes time to exercise one of our most fundamental rights as a citizen, the right to vote.”
Max Laird’s plan/vision for education in North Dakota
Restructure the Department of Public Instruction from a 20th century regulatory and reactive model to a 21st century progressive, proactive, problem solving agency that communicates at all levels of public discourse in North Dakota.
Focus on the delivery of a quality education to every child regardless where they live. We must use every current means we have available from technology to teachers.
Assume leadership in the delivery of all programs that are supported by the legislature related to providing an “adequate” k-12 education in North Dakota.
Change the way North Dakota addresses the provisions of the No Child Left Behind legislation.
Advocate for property tax relief while insuring that the public understands that we cannot have property tax relief alone. Schools must have adequate new dollars to continue to educate our children.
Move aggressively to find a universally acceptable way to recruit, then retain, and also respect career education employees.
Remain true to my past which has always been to give priority to what is best for kids.
“I believe that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is not the way to move education forward in North Dakota,” Max said.
June 12, 2008
Max Laird’s Vision for Education in North Dakota
With the June primary ‘beauty contest’ over, the real campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction begins in earnest starting today. “I intend to take my vision directly to all North Dakotans this summer with policy level detail so that no one will be able to question where I stand on helping to create a world class education system for North Dakota students,” Max Laird said. “In my years of public service, I found that North Dakotans are entitled to know more than the name of a candidate for office when it comes time to exercise one of our most fundamental rights as a citizen, the right to vote.”
Max Laird’s plan/vision for education in North Dakota
Restructure the Department of Public Instruction from a 20th century regulatory and reactive model to a 21st century progressive, proactive, problem solving agency that communicates at all levels of public discourse in North Dakota.
Focus on the delivery of a quality education to every child regardless where they live. We must use every current means we have available from technology to teachers.
Assume leadership in the delivery of all programs that are supported by the legislature related to providing an “adequate” k-12 education in North Dakota.
Change the way North Dakota addresses the provisions of the No Child Left Behind legislation.
Advocate for property tax relief while insuring that the public understands that we cannot have property tax relief alone. Schools must have adequate new dollars to continue to educate our children.
Move aggressively to find a universally acceptable way to recruit, then retain, and also respect career education employees.
Remain true to my past which has always been to give priority to what is best for kids.
“I believe that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is not the way to move education forward in North Dakota,” Max said.
Responses...
I appreciate the comments here on my blog.
I will comment about the "anonymous" posts that appeared to be two responses by the same person.
I received 30% support from ND voters and never campaigned other than one ad in weekly newspapers. I need to move 20% of the vote to win. I agree that is a challenge.
North Dakota's school children deserve that challenge! I believe that there are at least 20% of those voters who are interested in the issues. Name recognition has been the only issue for, at least, two election cycles.
As I said in my press conference we will continue to detail our plans for education and the Office of the State Superintendent throughout the summer. I have a plan that bears public attention. Lets debate the issues.
And by the way...What my opponent calls "grandstanding" I call "child advocacy". That is what is lacking in education today.
I will comment about the "anonymous" posts that appeared to be two responses by the same person.
I received 30% support from ND voters and never campaigned other than one ad in weekly newspapers. I need to move 20% of the vote to win. I agree that is a challenge.
North Dakota's school children deserve that challenge! I believe that there are at least 20% of those voters who are interested in the issues. Name recognition has been the only issue for, at least, two election cycles.
As I said in my press conference we will continue to detail our plans for education and the Office of the State Superintendent throughout the summer. I have a plan that bears public attention. Lets debate the issues.
And by the way...What my opponent calls "grandstanding" I call "child advocacy". That is what is lacking in education today.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Red River Fair
The second forum of the campaign season will be held next week in West Fargo at the Red River Valley Fair. The first was held in Grand Forks in late April sponsored by the state communicators association.
I have to assume that by the fact that my opponent has declined to attend either of these forums he sees no need to visit with the public about the issues that impact schools today. I will attend any forum or debate that I am invited to from now until the election that doesn't conflict with other events.
Name recognition will not be the only criteria for voting during this election cycle.
I have to assume that by the fact that my opponent has declined to attend either of these forums he sees no need to visit with the public about the issues that impact schools today. I will attend any forum or debate that I am invited to from now until the election that doesn't conflict with other events.
Name recognition will not be the only criteria for voting during this election cycle.
Primary Election Results
Today's results are actually quite comforting. I received anywhere from 34-42% support around the state. I realize that is not a win but...I had decided some time ago to begin my campaign after the primary. As a current teacher I committed to finishing the school year for my students.
Now I am ready to run....I have anywhere from 12-15% to make up over the next 5 months and I am confident I can do that.
I have to overcome almost 40 years of name recognition but I believe the issues are on my side. Changing things for for the benefit of children is desperately needed. I will define a plan that will get the job done!
Now I am ready to run....I have anywhere from 12-15% to make up over the next 5 months and I am confident I can do that.
I have to overcome almost 40 years of name recognition but I believe the issues are on my side. Changing things for for the benefit of children is desperately needed. I will define a plan that will get the job done!
Sunshine on Schools
It is curious that this newly released web site is found to be of value by my opponent. I too find it to be a reasonable way to view gross comparisons of school districts.
The question I have is why can't we do this on the DPI web site? It isn't a huge technology leap.
The question I have is why can't we do this on the DPI web site? It isn't a huge technology leap.
AYP Part 2
The results of the state test given last October were finalized in late May. Many schools that were on the "list" initially were eventually exempted for a lot of reasons and the list is now finalized. It should be available in every school district in the state.
I was asked about the "bumped" up cutoff scores. The state determined back when NCLB began to chose the "stair step" option. This option allowed a state to have the cutoff scores for the state tests set for up to 5 years if I remember right. After the required number of years the cutoff for proficiency had to be "stepped up". It will have to be stepped up again after another 5 years.
I have no idea what the amount was of the step up or how districts were informed of the requirements. It is something that was likely posted on the DPI web site but I, as a teacher, was never informed of the changes.
I was asked about the "bumped" up cutoff scores. The state determined back when NCLB began to chose the "stair step" option. This option allowed a state to have the cutoff scores for the state tests set for up to 5 years if I remember right. After the required number of years the cutoff for proficiency had to be "stepped up". It will have to be stepped up again after another 5 years.
I have no idea what the amount was of the step up or how districts were informed of the requirements. It is something that was likely posted on the DPI web site but I, as a teacher, was never informed of the changes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
