This is in response to Dinora’s “Teen Mothers Need Help Blog.” The bill that is being considered 592 will provide contraceptives to teenage mothers in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
I totally agree with this measure. I know that ideally we would want our teenagers to practice abstinence but this is not how it usually occurs so why not make contraceptives available? Especially if you already have children. I agree with Dinora that there are still many teens who not ask a parent for contraceptives. If a teenager has to tell their parents that they need contraceptives most of them will not, if we make it easier for them to obtain contraceptives, we will at least have less unwanted pregnancies and therefore less abortions. We all know that teen pregnancies and abortions hurt the economy, and contraceptives do not necessarily encourage a teen to have sex because they will anyway, it only helps do it responsibly.
Along with contraceptives I agree with the fact of giving our teenagers the education and information they need in order for them to make a smarter decision when having sex. This only covers unwanted pregnancies but not sexually transmitted diseases, but it’s a start. I don’t understand why parents of teen mothers would need to be notified of this change.
Parents always think that their teenager would tell them everything, but the truth is that’s what you may think, but they do NOT tell you EVERYTHING. So, parents, please help your teen help herself, by supporting this bill.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Teachers need an urgent salary raise
Teachers are professionals who need to be paid for all they do each day for our children.Teachers, especially elementary school teachers do much more than teach how to solve a math problem or how to read. They take care for the emotional, physical and intellectual development an dwell being of each child in their class. They console, nurture and are expected to lead by example. They are very important role models for children and sometimes spend more time with them then the parents.
Many times teachers have to spend time preparing and organizing materials needed for lessons and do not get compensated for this extra time. The state should value a teacher’s profession much more because first of all, they earn it, and secondly this will motivate a teacher to do even more for their students and the schools would not be short staffed as they are today.
The salary for teachers today is seriously ridiculous. Teachers have to have a BA degree plus all required training and certifications to be qualified. In addition teachers attend workshops periodically to keep up with changes to the education system. It’s no wonder that there aren’t enough teachers and the student teacher ratio is incredible with one teacher having to teach 18 kindergartners.
Teachers are professionals not babysitters, they don’t need to be getting paid less than chefs. The starting pay for new teachers in Texas is about 38,000 a year.
According to the Texas education system the average teacher salary in Texas is about $45,000 a year. This needs to change if we want teachers to enjoy coming to work every day to care and teach our children. Teacher salary in California is about $65,000 which should be our goal.
Legislature in Texas and school districts need to pass a bill urgently or face a even greater teacher shortage in the near future.
Many times teachers have to spend time preparing and organizing materials needed for lessons and do not get compensated for this extra time. The state should value a teacher’s profession much more because first of all, they earn it, and secondly this will motivate a teacher to do even more for their students and the schools would not be short staffed as they are today.
The salary for teachers today is seriously ridiculous. Teachers have to have a BA degree plus all required training and certifications to be qualified. In addition teachers attend workshops periodically to keep up with changes to the education system. It’s no wonder that there aren’t enough teachers and the student teacher ratio is incredible with one teacher having to teach 18 kindergartners.
Teachers are professionals not babysitters, they don’t need to be getting paid less than chefs. The starting pay for new teachers in Texas is about 38,000 a year.
According to the Texas education system the average teacher salary in Texas is about $45,000 a year. This needs to change if we want teachers to enjoy coming to work every day to care and teach our children. Teacher salary in California is about $65,000 which should be our goal.
Legislature in Texas and school districts need to pass a bill urgently or face a even greater teacher shortage in the near future.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Lauren's blog
Lauren comments on the proposed bill that would allow handguns on college campuses. Her position is not firmly stated but she does lean for the passing of the bill. Her tone is not aggressive which suggests that she is analyzing and providing information but is not 100% all for it. I believe Lauren’s audience is general because she does explain and give information about the issue in a very clear diction.
Lauren provides information and reasons for the positions taken both for and against the bill but does not seem to give her own position on the bill; as she ends her commentary with “You decide,” prompting the reader to do just that, take a position in a very controversial issue indeed.
Lauren needed to go into more depth about the possible positive affects the bill would have on campuses if passed. The paragraphs are not organized; I think she should have broken up the paragraphs a little more for easy flow.
Lauren’s use of a question as the title and also in her conclusion is successful in catching the reader’s attention and getting the reader actively involved in her reasoning.
I like the way Lauren explained both the negative and positive affects this bill would have in college campuses if passed. Why people want to pass the bill and why some do not want the bill to be passed. I think this is very important to the reader so that one can better decide a position on the issue.
When Lauren presents references such as links to statistics, she does not provide details and a thorough introduction to her link. I feel she did not take the necessary time to bring new arguments to the discussion other then the basic pros and cons. This made her commentary less interesting.
Overall I think she does backup both arguments very well and her embedded links as references provide the reader with very important information that helps understand the broadness of the issue being discussed.
I don’t support this bill at all because I think we should and cannot live in fear, the number of tragedies in college and universities has been very tragic but there just has to be another solution to the problem then to let any licensed individual carry a gun around on campus, just because you are licensed does not mean you don’t have issues.
Lauren provides information and reasons for the positions taken both for and against the bill but does not seem to give her own position on the bill; as she ends her commentary with “You decide,” prompting the reader to do just that, take a position in a very controversial issue indeed.
Lauren needed to go into more depth about the possible positive affects the bill would have on campuses if passed. The paragraphs are not organized; I think she should have broken up the paragraphs a little more for easy flow.
Lauren’s use of a question as the title and also in her conclusion is successful in catching the reader’s attention and getting the reader actively involved in her reasoning.
I like the way Lauren explained both the negative and positive affects this bill would have in college campuses if passed. Why people want to pass the bill and why some do not want the bill to be passed. I think this is very important to the reader so that one can better decide a position on the issue.
When Lauren presents references such as links to statistics, she does not provide details and a thorough introduction to her link. I feel she did not take the necessary time to bring new arguments to the discussion other then the basic pros and cons. This made her commentary less interesting.
Overall I think she does backup both arguments very well and her embedded links as references provide the reader with very important information that helps understand the broadness of the issue being discussed.
I don’t support this bill at all because I think we should and cannot live in fear, the number of tragedies in college and universities has been very tragic but there just has to be another solution to the problem then to let any licensed individual carry a gun around on campus, just because you are licensed does not mean you don’t have issues.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Border Drug War Demands More Attention.
In the Austin American Statesman commentary section Tom Teepen argues that "We" need to do more about the drug war problem in the U.S-Mexican border. His main claim is that the current policies in place are not enough to reduce the drug traffic and weapon trade and that the government needs to make some changes to the strategies that have been used up until now.
I believe that Teepen's audience is academic probably a college undergraduate so that one may understand the issue more clearly and know exactly why he makes certain statements. He states that the drug problem can soon spread into politics going against the government and one would need to have an idea of how and why this would be if in fact. Teepen's diction also led me to conclude the intended audience because of his choice of some words like "metastasize."
The author's paragraph format made his commentary easy to read and to follow. Each section provides a new argument that supports his main claim. Teepen unfolds his arguments in a clear manner while elaborating some on each of his ideas (all though not very detailed) on each statement he made.
Teepen's commentary is credible because he references President Obama when he states that Obama only referenced the drug war problem briefly in his news conference. Teepen also references The US Department of Homeland Security and the analysis they made that recognizes that "unchecked" the drug war could potentially escalate to a major political problem. The author also cites quotes from Obama's conference which makes this even more believable.
I also think the use of the first person point of view is very helps the tone of his argument because when he says "we" need to do more or "political cowardice hold us back" he includes himself. He sounds less demanding and agressive.
Teepen provides enough information and evidence to support his claim.He aknowledges that Obama has done something about the drug war such as assigning hundreds of agents to the border and additional technology but then he explains that this is still not enough. He argues that President Bush let the ban on military-style assault weapons laps giving drug cartel's easy access.
The author also explains that Obama is not paying much attention to this matter because he has other more important problems to resolve at this time. He backs up this statement with Obama made this clear in his news conference. Teepen concludes his commentary with some suggestions about what changes that should be applied in order to reduce the drug trafficking and gun trade problem.
In conclusion I think that Teepen's commentary is convincing and credible. I don't necessarily agree with the author that the government is not doing enough about the drug war problem. I think the government is doing what they can with the resources at hand at the moment and that there are other priorities in Obamas agenda at the present time. There is always more one can do but in this case I think the matter is too dangerous to rush into changing policies without analysing the consequences this may have. I did learn from this commentary about the ban president Bush let lapse from the military-style assault weapons which I thought was a very unfortunate mistake.
I believe that Teepen's audience is academic probably a college undergraduate so that one may understand the issue more clearly and know exactly why he makes certain statements. He states that the drug problem can soon spread into politics going against the government and one would need to have an idea of how and why this would be if in fact. Teepen's diction also led me to conclude the intended audience because of his choice of some words like "metastasize."
The author's paragraph format made his commentary easy to read and to follow. Each section provides a new argument that supports his main claim. Teepen unfolds his arguments in a clear manner while elaborating some on each of his ideas (all though not very detailed) on each statement he made.
Teepen's commentary is credible because he references President Obama when he states that Obama only referenced the drug war problem briefly in his news conference. Teepen also references The US Department of Homeland Security and the analysis they made that recognizes that "unchecked" the drug war could potentially escalate to a major political problem. The author also cites quotes from Obama's conference which makes this even more believable.
I also think the use of the first person point of view is very helps the tone of his argument because when he says "we" need to do more or "political cowardice hold us back" he includes himself. He sounds less demanding and agressive.
Teepen provides enough information and evidence to support his claim.He aknowledges that Obama has done something about the drug war such as assigning hundreds of agents to the border and additional technology but then he explains that this is still not enough. He argues that President Bush let the ban on military-style assault weapons laps giving drug cartel's easy access.
The author also explains that Obama is not paying much attention to this matter because he has other more important problems to resolve at this time. He backs up this statement with Obama made this clear in his news conference. Teepen concludes his commentary with some suggestions about what changes that should be applied in order to reduce the drug trafficking and gun trade problem.
In conclusion I think that Teepen's commentary is convincing and credible. I don't necessarily agree with the author that the government is not doing enough about the drug war problem. I think the government is doing what they can with the resources at hand at the moment and that there are other priorities in Obamas agenda at the present time. There is always more one can do but in this case I think the matter is too dangerous to rush into changing policies without analysing the consequences this may have. I did learn from this commentary about the ban president Bush let lapse from the military-style assault weapons which I thought was a very unfortunate mistake.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Texas schools need accountability but not high stakes testing
In the Austin American Statesman the editorial board elaborates on the plans by legislators to make some changes to the current Texas school’s accountability system. The issue is that “Texas schools need accountability but not high stakes testing” as the editorial is titled which states the authors main argument. The authors claim is that Texas does need to make changes to the current schools accountability system which will not sacrifice accountability while still preparing students for college and the work force.
The audience of this author is a a general audience non academic with some but not much knowledge about the current accountability system for schools in Texas. I concluded this because the author provides enough background information to allow the reader to understand the specific problem being addressed. In this case on of the problem with the current system is that it is too punitive. It punishes students for not meeting states standards on the TAKS test by not allowing students to advance or pass to the next grade level. The current system also is not broad enough to include teaching students skills needed for today's work place.
The author of this editorial presents the facts in an organized manner which makes it easier to read and gives the argument more clarity. First the author acknowledges the systems accomplishments, then focuses on the problems it has caused and finally gives the proposed solution by legislators. The author also provides evidence by referencing people like senators and verifiable records such as students performance. Also giving information through different point of views and not just one makes the argument more credible and less biased. Another strategy that makes this editorial convincing is the values that underlie the argument which are logic, for example pointing out how the system of ignores student progress.
I personally strongly agree with this plan to change the school's accountability system. I have seen how students suffer and stress about the TAKS exam. I hope this takes place soon because in the mean time smart students are being held back affecting their emotional and social development. I think it is a good idea to test for performance but not to use the results to prohibit a student from advancing to the next grade level. I was not aware of the fact that the graduation requirements were not actually preparing students with skills for the changing work place. Overall this author was very convincing and had enough evidence to support his argument.
The audience of this author is a a general audience non academic with some but not much knowledge about the current accountability system for schools in Texas. I concluded this because the author provides enough background information to allow the reader to understand the specific problem being addressed. In this case on of the problem with the current system is that it is too punitive. It punishes students for not meeting states standards on the TAKS test by not allowing students to advance or pass to the next grade level. The current system also is not broad enough to include teaching students skills needed for today's work place.
The author of this editorial presents the facts in an organized manner which makes it easier to read and gives the argument more clarity. First the author acknowledges the systems accomplishments, then focuses on the problems it has caused and finally gives the proposed solution by legislators. The author also provides evidence by referencing people like senators and verifiable records such as students performance. Also giving information through different point of views and not just one makes the argument more credible and less biased. Another strategy that makes this editorial convincing is the values that underlie the argument which are logic, for example pointing out how the system of ignores student progress.
I personally strongly agree with this plan to change the school's accountability system. I have seen how students suffer and stress about the TAKS exam. I hope this takes place soon because in the mean time smart students are being held back affecting their emotional and social development. I think it is a good idea to test for performance but not to use the results to prohibit a student from advancing to the next grade level. I was not aware of the fact that the graduation requirements were not actually preparing students with skills for the changing work place. Overall this author was very convincing and had enough evidence to support his argument.
Friday, March 6, 2009
How do you think the federal stimulus money should be spent in Texas? This article by April Castro explains how governor Perry is skeptical about accepting these funds because the state would have to expand government programs and according to this article Perry believes this will bring economic problems and the state will have to deal with this alone. Castro states that legislators are urging Perry to accept the funds. The article implies a controversy on the need of these funds for unemployment benefits and the rush to spend the money by the Texas Transportation Commission. The article states some critics think the government should really think about the best way to spend funds. I think this article is worth reading because these funds are a tremendous help specially for unemployment beneficiaries as a stimulus for now but can affect our pockets in the future in a negative way, one example is toll roads. Overall I think governor Perry needs to accept the stimulus considering the nation's economic state.
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