We’re here today to examine economic opportunities for young Americans. Unfortunately, those opportunities seem to be few and far between these days. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that youth unemployment has reached a staggering 25.5 percent. That’s the highest level since we began tracking youth unemployment back in 1948. These figures are daunting. Although not all young people wish to ... Read more »
Proposing an innovative strategy to reward teachers and principals for improving student academic achievement, Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) today is introducing legislation to establish the Teacher Incentive Fund to strengthen teacher quality improvement programs. Price is joined by Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the top Republican on the Education and Labor Committee, in introducing the legislation. “Too many ... Read more »
The secret ballot is important not only to people in the United States. It’s important around the world, too. In New Zealand, National MP Tau Henare, a former union organizer, recently proposed a bill to make use of the secret ballot the official law in the island nation near Australia. The New Zealand Herald gives details of Henare’s measure here: “Unions will be legally bound to hold a secret ba... Read more »
Republicans today called attention to the importance of effective teachers in improving student academic achievement and highlighted innovative, locally driven strategies to improve overall teacher quality and reward effective educators. Rep. John Kline (R-MN) offered remarks to open a hearing of the House Education and Labor Committee on “Teacher Equity: Effective Teachers for All Children.” Rep.... Read more »
The following op-ed was published online by the Star Tribune on September 30, 2009. As students throughout Minnesota settle into a new school year, area schools, like many around the country, are coping with the stifling effects of the recession. School districts throughout the state are facing multimillion-dollar deficits, and Minnesotans feel the pressure of financial shortfalls on our communiti... Read more »
The month of September marks the beginning of the school year for many localities across the country. And for the next year, the one person who will have more influence and input other than a set of parents into a child’s development will be a teacher. For those with a young child who is entering school for the very first time, you know these are the most crucial years for learning and growth. And... Read more »
We’re here today to explore how to ensure all children are taught by effective teachers. Study after study has shown that effective, knowledgeable teachers are among the most important factors when it comes to improving student academic achievement. High-quality teachers are more important than state-of-the-art facilities or factors such as the student-to-teacher ratio. Unfortunately, the question... Read more »
Even if Democrats eventually decide to jettison the unpopular card check component that sets aside the secret ballot for workers, the Employee Free Choice Act is still dangerous. That’s what a group of Hoosier business executives wrote in a Sunday essay for The Star Press in Muncie, Ind.: “Some have talked about removing the secret ballot provision of S560, but the other provisions are equally dam... Read more »
Has the House Democrat health care legislation become so toxic that members of the President’s own party are now denying its very existence? Apparently so. “During remarks this morning at the Finance Committee markup, there were references to the ‘House bill.’ Baucus quickly corrected the record. “‘There is no House Bill at this point,’ Baucus said. ‘There are committees looking at bills, I only s... Read more »
President Obama is on an important mission this week – and its success depends on the secret ballot. The irony is worthy of a gold medal: After all, the Employee Free Choice Act, which Obama supports, sets aside the secret ballot for workers. The Washington Post gives the play by play here: “President Obama has decided to travel to Copenhagen to support the Chicago bid team seeking the 2016 Summer... Read more »
