If you can talk about a specific assignment where s/he impressed you with a certain skill/insight/maturity/whatever and how it made him/her stand out from the rest of the crowd, those kinds of comments are generally the only ones I really remember when I read recommendations.

It's just, that's kind of every assignment for this student. He just really is that good. I think I managed to say that.

Oh dear Vortex, go home and take care of yourself.

I am very upset about the mid-year budget cuts at LAUSD. I fear I can't even express my concerns rationally, I'm just left shaking my head and trying to figure out the thinking behind it. Is it that the parents should pay for extra teachers and the extra week of school if they care enough?

Not to side with the overlords, but don't they actually get less money this year? In a district as big as LA, we're talking about a crapload of money, but I know our tiny district is short a couple of million this year and teacher salaries is the largest part of the budget.

Well, as I understand it.

Emily, the thing is, the state has cut the education budget practically in half over the past few years, and though there may be waste in terms of too many administrators (from what I hear, anyway), the teachers are insanely overworked already. High school teachers average 35+ students per class and teach at least 5 classes, for example. Now they're cutting even more midway through the year with yet MORE cuts to come. It's criminal, as far as I'm concerned. I don't know how the public system is going to survive if they keep it up.

I'm sure they are getting less money what with the entire state about to go bankrupt. But there's a lot of political bullshit and maneuvering that has led the state to this point of whatever billion shortfall, not going to raise taxes or close loopholes, Gov won't sign unless they promise him he can 8-6 EPA regulations, etc. I know the money gotta come from somewhere, but they also know that LAUSD schools are falling way behind the NCLB regulations and that just leads to more funding cuts.

ETA: Points up to what Kristin said.

Just before I left California, the Governator was cutting 10% of the state budget, across the board, including education. Remember K-Bug participating in a walk-out cause the school board was going to cut all sports? The whole mess was part of what made up my mind to move.

With my kids being 7 years apart, I could really see the difference in education between K-Bug and CJ. It broke my heart, really.

dobbie/Ger Shep mutt we think

I never knew that dogs could breed with house elves.

I have heard that the teacher layoff announcement is partly political posturing to put pressure on Sacramento, and that there will actually be way less layoffs. One can only hope. Things are in SUCH a mess that I don't think anyone has any idea what is going to happen, including Arnie and the legislature.

Why is it hard for students to copy each others' homework intelligently?

I cheated on homework in high school, occasionally. I don't think it's right, but I did it. I know it happens. I know I can't stop it.

But seriously: if your friend writes "20 <" (a nonsensical thing indeed) and you COPY it as your answer... nobody's learning anything. You didn't even look at the QUESTION, or you'd know that was nonsensical.

I copied sometimes. But at least I knew what I was writing.

dobbie/Ger Shep mutt we think

never knew that dogs could breed with house elves.

Is Ger really a house elf? If you're speaking of Invader Zim, that is.

Taquitos!