Some job seekers harbor a secret that prevents them from applying for work they know they could do. Or they worry that if this fact comes to light in a job interview, it will explode and cause them to be led unceremoniously to the door.
These are people who went to college but never got a degree.
People who have had “some college” are far from rare. After six years, more than 40 percent of those who started at a four-year institution have not finished, according to data from the Education Department.
Some may have decided that college wasn’t right for them; some will take longer than six years to finish. But for many others, life intervenes, said Jacqueline E. King, assistant vice president for policy analysis at the American Council on Education, which represents degree-granting institutions. They may have decided to start a family, or had to care for a sick relative, or took on more responsibility at work.
Then more life happens, and as the years go by, that piece of paper with the calligraphy, gold seal and signatures of bigwigs becomes ever more elusive.
Owning that paper may seem especially important when the unemployment rate is high. Many employers are now reflexively listing a bachelor’s degree as a requirement; it’s an easy way to help whittle down hundreds of applications into a manageable pile.
Some people wear their lack of a degree as if it’s a scarlet letter, she said. Just about the first words out of their mouths at an interview are, “I don’t have a B.A., but ... ,” she said.
Many are open to the idea of finishing the degree, but “it’s really hard to go to work full time and go to school full time and have a life.”
Freedom Bible College & Seminary is reaching out to students who never finished degree requirements, creating flexible programs that can be particularly helpful to those who have just a few credits left. If you are unemployed and unable to find new work, this could be an excellent time to go back to school. Money may be an issue, of course. But FBCS offers easy payment plans.
If you have only a few credits to go, why let them dog you for the rest of your life? FBCS even has plans that will even accept secular credits toward a Christian degree.
Amid all the practical considerations, don’t forget that you might learn something, too. When people return to school later in life, Ms. King said, they are often pleasantly surprised at how much they actually enjoy the learning process.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
53 Republicans Seek Ouster of Obama Schools Official
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
Published: October 15, 2009
WASHINGTON — Fifty-three House Republicans have signed a letter to the Obama administration asking for the ouster of Kevin Jennings, an official charged with promoting school safety, because of his career as an advocate of teaching tolerance of homosexuality.
As the founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Mr. Jennings has played an integral role in promoting homosexuality and pushing a pro-homosexual agenda in America’s schools — an agenda that runs counter to the values that many parents desire to instill in their children,” the lawmakers write.
They cite as evidence the foreword Mr. Jennings wrote for a book titled “Queering Elementary Education: Advancing the Dialogue About Sexualities and Schooling” (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1999).
The outcry from conservative commentators and activists began not long after the resignation in September of another Obama appointee, Van Jones, who had the task of promoting energy-efficient jobs. Mr. Jones had signed some far-left petitions, including one suggesting that the Bush administration may have allowed the Sept. 11 attacks as a pretext for invading Iraq.
“These are not mainstream people,” said Representative Steve King, Republican of Iowa, who organized the letter about Mr. Jennings. “These are people on the fringe. And I think it is likely that there are others out there that are part of this administration.”
The administration has stood by Mr. Jennings, whom Education Secretary Arne Duncan has called “uniquely qualified for his job.” Mr. Jennings has expressed regret over one episode that has enraged his critics. He has recalled in a memoir and speeches that as a teacher he once responded encouragingly to a teenage boy who told him of a sexual encounter with a man he met in a bus station restroom. Mr. Jennings said he advised the teenager to use a condom.
“Twenty-one years later, I can see how I should have handled the situation differently,” Mr. Jennings said in a statement. “I should have asked for more information and consulted medical or legal authorities.”
He added: “I would like to see the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools play a bigger role in helping to prepare teachers” for such situations.
Mr. Jennings’s critics say his career’s focus on gay students ill-equips him for the broader portfolio of his job as deputy assistant secretary of the safety office, which oversees initiatives against guns and other threats.
And they disagree more broadly with his approach to talking about homosexuality, especially among pre-pubescent children. To some, Mr. Jennings’s efforts to combat bias sound like encouraging homosexuality.
In his laudatory preface to “Queering Elementary Education,” Mr. Jennings wrote, “We must address antigay bigotry and we must do it as soon as students start going to school.”
The volume includes an essay titled “Why Discuss Sexuality in Elementary School?”
Published: October 15, 2009
WASHINGTON — Fifty-three House Republicans have signed a letter to the Obama administration asking for the ouster of Kevin Jennings, an official charged with promoting school safety, because of his career as an advocate of teaching tolerance of homosexuality.
As the founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Mr. Jennings has played an integral role in promoting homosexuality and pushing a pro-homosexual agenda in America’s schools — an agenda that runs counter to the values that many parents desire to instill in their children,” the lawmakers write.
They cite as evidence the foreword Mr. Jennings wrote for a book titled “Queering Elementary Education: Advancing the Dialogue About Sexualities and Schooling” (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1999).
The outcry from conservative commentators and activists began not long after the resignation in September of another Obama appointee, Van Jones, who had the task of promoting energy-efficient jobs. Mr. Jones had signed some far-left petitions, including one suggesting that the Bush administration may have allowed the Sept. 11 attacks as a pretext for invading Iraq.
“These are not mainstream people,” said Representative Steve King, Republican of Iowa, who organized the letter about Mr. Jennings. “These are people on the fringe. And I think it is likely that there are others out there that are part of this administration.”
The administration has stood by Mr. Jennings, whom Education Secretary Arne Duncan has called “uniquely qualified for his job.” Mr. Jennings has expressed regret over one episode that has enraged his critics. He has recalled in a memoir and speeches that as a teacher he once responded encouragingly to a teenage boy who told him of a sexual encounter with a man he met in a bus station restroom. Mr. Jennings said he advised the teenager to use a condom.
“Twenty-one years later, I can see how I should have handled the situation differently,” Mr. Jennings said in a statement. “I should have asked for more information and consulted medical or legal authorities.”
He added: “I would like to see the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools play a bigger role in helping to prepare teachers” for such situations.
Mr. Jennings’s critics say his career’s focus on gay students ill-equips him for the broader portfolio of his job as deputy assistant secretary of the safety office, which oversees initiatives against guns and other threats.
And they disagree more broadly with his approach to talking about homosexuality, especially among pre-pubescent children. To some, Mr. Jennings’s efforts to combat bias sound like encouraging homosexuality.
In his laudatory preface to “Queering Elementary Education,” Mr. Jennings wrote, “We must address antigay bigotry and we must do it as soon as students start going to school.”
The volume includes an essay titled “Why Discuss Sexuality in Elementary School?”
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Bible verses banned from Georgia school football field
ATLANTA (AP) — When the Warriors of Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High take the field Friday night, the football team won't be running through the cheerleaders' usual banner bearing a Bible verse.
The school district banned the signs a week ago over concerns they were unconstitutional and could provoke a lawsuit, angering many in the deeply religious north Georgia town of Fort Oglethorpe.
"I'm just kind of unnerved about it," said 18-year-old Cassandra Cooksey, a recent graduate who often prayed with her fellow marching band members before football games. "It seems like the majority of people in our community want this and they don't have a problem with it, so I think they should be allowed to have the signs if they want to."
Several hundred people attended a rally this week supporting the signs, and more than 8,000 people have joined an Internet group backing the display of Biblical messages by the school's cheerleaders. Some of the banners have read: "Commit to the Lord, whatever you do, and your plans will succeed" and "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."
Catoosa County schools Superintendent Denia Reese banned the long-standing practice after a parent called her. Reese checked with the school board's attorney, who advised her the signs violated federal law because they were being displayed by the cheerleaders during a school-sponsored event.
The signs are expected at Friday night's game against Ridgeland, but they won't be held by cheerleaders. School officials have designated an area in front of the school where the messages can go on display. They say the area is legally protected because it doesn't give the appearance the school is sponsoring religious speech.
"I regret that the cheerleaders cannot display their signs in the football stadium without violating the First Amendment," Reese said in a news release. "I rely on reading the Bible daily, and I would never deny our students the opportunity to express their religious beliefs."
She was not immediately available Friday for comment.
Bill Nigut, southeast regional director for the Anti-Defamation League human rights organization, said the superintendent was acting appropriately.
"There are legal ways for students to have religious observation in a school context and there are illegal ways, and we believe Reese is correct that the football game crosses a line," Nigut said.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press
The school district banned the signs a week ago over concerns they were unconstitutional and could provoke a lawsuit, angering many in the deeply religious north Georgia town of Fort Oglethorpe.
"I'm just kind of unnerved about it," said 18-year-old Cassandra Cooksey, a recent graduate who often prayed with her fellow marching band members before football games. "It seems like the majority of people in our community want this and they don't have a problem with it, so I think they should be allowed to have the signs if they want to."
Several hundred people attended a rally this week supporting the signs, and more than 8,000 people have joined an Internet group backing the display of Biblical messages by the school's cheerleaders. Some of the banners have read: "Commit to the Lord, whatever you do, and your plans will succeed" and "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."
Catoosa County schools Superintendent Denia Reese banned the long-standing practice after a parent called her. Reese checked with the school board's attorney, who advised her the signs violated federal law because they were being displayed by the cheerleaders during a school-sponsored event.
The signs are expected at Friday night's game against Ridgeland, but they won't be held by cheerleaders. School officials have designated an area in front of the school where the messages can go on display. They say the area is legally protected because it doesn't give the appearance the school is sponsoring religious speech.
"I regret that the cheerleaders cannot display their signs in the football stadium without violating the First Amendment," Reese said in a news release. "I rely on reading the Bible daily, and I would never deny our students the opportunity to express their religious beliefs."
She was not immediately available Friday for comment.
Bill Nigut, southeast regional director for the Anti-Defamation League human rights organization, said the superintendent was acting appropriately.
"There are legal ways for students to have religious observation in a school context and there are illegal ways, and we believe Reese is correct that the football game crosses a line," Nigut said.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press
Monday, October 5, 2009
Bible Being Taught in Public Schools
Over 350 Public Schools Teaching the Bible
More than 350 schools in 43 states have implemented courses on the Bible for the 2009-2010 academic year, a new report reveals. Leading the pack is Texas where more than 50 schools are teaching the course this fall, according to data from the Bible Literacy Project, which publishes The Bible and Its Influence, a student textbook designed for public school courses on the Bible.
Right behind Texas, schools in Georgia, California and Indiana are widely teaching lessons on the Bible using the Bible Literacy textbook. More than 10 percent of Georgia public high schools and more than 5 percent of public high schools in Alabama, Indiana and South Carolina are utilizing the program, said Chuck Stetson, chairman of the Bible Literacy Project board.
The Bible and Its Influence – reviewed by 40 religious and legal scholars representing evangelical, mainline Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox and Jewish communities – is reportedly the first student textbook that fulfills the legal standards of The Bible & Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide.
It was released in September 2005 and the primary goal of the course is biblical literacy. While providing an academic study of biblical narratives and their influence on literature and culture, the course does not promote or discourage religious belief, the Bible Literacy Project insists.
Their approach is academic and not devotional, and academic study of the Bible in public schools is legal in all 50 states, the organization says. Increasing knowledge about the Bible is part of a good education; but teaching what to believe belongs in the home," the non-profit states." We advocate providing a well-rounded, thorough education that includes the basic information students need to fully understand literature, as well as art, music, history and culture."
A 2004 Gallup poll found just 8 percent of public school teens said their schools offered an elective Bible course. But public-school courses on the Bible have been rising in popularity over the past several years.
In 2007, the Texas legislature passed a law requiring public high schools to teach Bible literacy beginning in the 2009-2010 school year. The state law, however, did not provide any specific guidelines or teacher training and left many educators confused.
Some Texas high schools are offering an elective course on the Bible this year while others have chosen to incorporate the lessons into current classes. Still others maintain that religious literature is already taught in their current courses.
The Bible Literacy Project, meanwhile, has made online teacher training available. In partnership with Concordia University’s College of Education in Portland, Ore., the organization is sponsoring graduate-level courses on how to teach a legal, rigorous and academic public high school class on the Bible.
The organization is currently seeking to reach educators in the remaining seven states – Delaware, Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wyoming – that have yet to utilize The Bible and Its Influence.
"We welcome the opportunity to show these remaining states the strength of our program," said Stetson.
Thanks to christianpost.com
More than 350 schools in 43 states have implemented courses on the Bible for the 2009-2010 academic year, a new report reveals. Leading the pack is Texas where more than 50 schools are teaching the course this fall, according to data from the Bible Literacy Project, which publishes The Bible and Its Influence, a student textbook designed for public school courses on the Bible.
Right behind Texas, schools in Georgia, California and Indiana are widely teaching lessons on the Bible using the Bible Literacy textbook. More than 10 percent of Georgia public high schools and more than 5 percent of public high schools in Alabama, Indiana and South Carolina are utilizing the program, said Chuck Stetson, chairman of the Bible Literacy Project board.
The Bible and Its Influence – reviewed by 40 religious and legal scholars representing evangelical, mainline Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox and Jewish communities – is reportedly the first student textbook that fulfills the legal standards of The Bible & Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide.
It was released in September 2005 and the primary goal of the course is biblical literacy. While providing an academic study of biblical narratives and their influence on literature and culture, the course does not promote or discourage religious belief, the Bible Literacy Project insists.
Their approach is academic and not devotional, and academic study of the Bible in public schools is legal in all 50 states, the organization says. Increasing knowledge about the Bible is part of a good education; but teaching what to believe belongs in the home," the non-profit states." We advocate providing a well-rounded, thorough education that includes the basic information students need to fully understand literature, as well as art, music, history and culture."
A 2004 Gallup poll found just 8 percent of public school teens said their schools offered an elective Bible course. But public-school courses on the Bible have been rising in popularity over the past several years.
In 2007, the Texas legislature passed a law requiring public high schools to teach Bible literacy beginning in the 2009-2010 school year. The state law, however, did not provide any specific guidelines or teacher training and left many educators confused.
Some Texas high schools are offering an elective course on the Bible this year while others have chosen to incorporate the lessons into current classes. Still others maintain that religious literature is already taught in their current courses.
The Bible Literacy Project, meanwhile, has made online teacher training available. In partnership with Concordia University’s College of Education in Portland, Ore., the organization is sponsoring graduate-level courses on how to teach a legal, rigorous and academic public high school class on the Bible.
The organization is currently seeking to reach educators in the remaining seven states – Delaware, Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wyoming – that have yet to utilize The Bible and Its Influence.
"We welcome the opportunity to show these remaining states the strength of our program," said Stetson.
Thanks to christianpost.com
Thursday, September 3, 2009
I know this is a Christian Education blog..........but, this needs to be published
No matter what your political party is, you needs to read this.
Here is his (President Barack Hussein Obama II) response when he backed off from his decision to let the military pay for their war injuries.
Bad press, including major mockery of the plan by comedian Jon Stewart, led to President Obama abandoning his proposal to require veterans carry private health insurance to cover the estimated $540 million annual cost to the federal government of treatment for injuries to military personnel received during their tours on active duty. The President admitted that he was puzzled by the magnitude of the opposition to his proposal.
"Look, it's an all-volunteer force," Obama complained. "Nobody made these guys go to war. They had to have known and accepted the risks. Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice? It doesn't compute."
"I thought these were people who were proud to sacrifice for their country, " Obama
continued. "I wasn't asking for blood, just money. With the country facing the worst financial crisis in its history, I'd have thought that the patriotic thing to do would be to try to help reduce the nation's deficit. I guess I underestimated the selfishness of some of my fellow Americans."
Here is his (President Barack Hussein Obama II) response when he backed off from his decision to let the military pay for their war injuries.
Bad press, including major mockery of the plan by comedian Jon Stewart, led to President Obama abandoning his proposal to require veterans carry private health insurance to cover the estimated $540 million annual cost to the federal government of treatment for injuries to military personnel received during their tours on active duty. The President admitted that he was puzzled by the magnitude of the opposition to his proposal.
"Look, it's an all-volunteer force," Obama complained. "Nobody made these guys go to war. They had to have known and accepted the risks. Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice? It doesn't compute."
"I thought these were people who were proud to sacrifice for their country, " Obama
continued. "I wasn't asking for blood, just money. With the country facing the worst financial crisis in its history, I'd have thought that the patriotic thing to do would be to try to help reduce the nation's deficit. I guess I underestimated the selfishness of some of my fellow Americans."
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Freedom Saw it Coming 15 years Ago
Baptist resolutions urge members to pull kids from public schools
Not to be an “I told you so,” but this article shows one of the several reasons FBCS does not have regional accreditation and never plans to have. We have fought for 15 years to keep Freedom, FREE and we have no plans to change.
God gave us a vision of freedom and we have no intentions of going back on the commission He gave us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Christian-education push goes to states
Baptist resolutions urge members to pull kids from public schools
By Ron Strom
© 2009 WorldNetDaily.com
An unsuccessful effort to have the Southern Baptist Convention pass a resolution urging members to remove their children from government schools has a new life as activists in ten states plan to introduce similar measures at state conventions this fall.
As WorldNetDaily reported, the national resolution, written by Baptist activists Bruce N. Shortt and T.C. Pinckney, called on the millions of members of the denomination to take their kids out of public schools and either homeschool them or send them to Christian schools.
There were six resolutions on education the Resolutions Committee considered at the Southern Baptist Convention in June, and rather than referring any out to the floor of the convention, the panel offered a measure warning against "the cultural drift in our nation toward secularism."
Shortt told WND at the time: "They didn't want to touch this [government schools] issue; it's radioactive."
The reticence of the national body, however, hasn't deterred Baptists from bringing up the issue on the state level. According to Shortt, resolutions will be introduced at 10 state Baptist conventions in October and November.
Those states are Texas, Virginia, Missouri, Tennessee, California, South Carolina, Illinois, Florida, North Carolina and the Baptist Convention of New England, which covers Connecticut, Vermont, Maine Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
Roger Moran is spearheading the effort in Missouri.
"One of the great tragedies of American Christianity has been the near universal failure of its leaders to boldly proclaim the inherent dangers lurking within America's government owned and controlled schools," Moran said in a statement. "As the educational philosophy of public schools increasingly mirrors the anti-Christian philosophy of our activist judges, the time has come to proclaim with absolute clarity that 'render unto Caesar' was never intended to include the hearts and minds of our children."
Larry Reagan, a pastor from Tennessee, is leading the effort in his state. He calls the matter "a very hot issue among Baptists and other evangelical Christians."
Reagan said, "As pastors we need to step up to the challenge by making sure Christian children receive a Christian education 24/7."
Like the national resolution, the state measures cite several reasons for Baptists to remove their kids from public education.
Shortt said the reasons include "research results showing the negative effects of public schooling on the attitudes and beliefs of Christian children, the 2002 finding by the Southern Baptist Council on Family Life that 88 percent of the children raised in evangelical homes leave church after the age of 18, and the fact that nearly 3,000 public middle and high schools have homosexual clubs, and public schools are rapidly adopting curricula and policies teaching that the homosexual lifestyle is acceptable."
The earlier resolution, which made national headlines and received the support of the Home School Legal Defense Association, stated: "Government schools are by their own confession humanistic and secular in their instruction, [and] the education offered by the government schools is officially Godless."
Noting that "the millions of children in government schools spend seven hours a day, 180 days a year being taught that God is irrelevant to every area of life," the resolution said, "Many Christian children in government schools are converted to an anti-Christian worldview rather than evangelizing their schoolmates."
Wiley Drake is a well-known Baptist pastor in Southern California who characterizes the issue as a rescue effort.
"As Christians, we must rescue our children from public schools," Drake stated. "They are being coerced and persecuted there. Frankly, speaking as a pastor who has observed the deterioration of public schools for many years, I would say that Christian parents who are putting their children in public schools today are endangering their children spiritually, emotionally, physically and educationally. This debate is important because parents need to know how toxic public schools have become."
________________________________________
Ron Strom is commentary editor for WorldNetDaily.com.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Hurray for Texas!! – FINALLY
It looks like Texas finally got rid of the atheistic attitudes target toward Christian educational institutions.
Texas has been noted as a “non-favorable” state for privately accredited Bible colleges. Maybe they are making some progress to where we live as Christians and what we want for ourselves and our children.
We hope that other states that fight against small, privately accredited colleges will follow suit to return to where our country was founded – Freedom of Religion.
__________________________________________________________________________
Texas OKs Bible Course for High Schools
By Lawrence Jones
Christian Post Reporter
Sat, Jul. 19 2008 08:58 AM EDT
From The Christian Post
The Texas State Board of Education on Friday gave final approval to establishing a Bible elective for high schools but left specific class guidelines up to local school districts.
Board members voted 10-5 to adopt broad standards for the Bible class. In March, they had already approved current TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills) guidelines for the Bible class but Friday's vote follows the opinion handed down last week by Attorney General Greg Abbott that affirmed the constitutionality of the proposed standards.
“We have met the requirements of the legislation. We don’t want to stifle what they (school districts) are doing in classrooms," said board member Cynthia Dunbar, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Texas high schools can start offering the Bible class for the 2008-09 school year now that the rule has been approved by over two-thirds of the board.
“Elective Bible courses now have the final green light from the Texas State Board of Education and Texas has now gained an academic advantage," said Jonathan Saenz, director of legislative affairs for Free Market Foundation, who testified before the board in support of the class on Thursday.
Some critics, however, said that the without specific guidelines, school districts offering the course could run into legal issues later if a neutral viewpoint of religion is not maintained in the class.
But supporters of the rule say that such concerns are already addressed in the TEKS guidelines, which call for "religious neutrality" and the accommodation of diverse religious views in the classroom.
Furthermore, they argue, the Bible class examines the impact of the Bible on history and literature and is not about religion.
Kudos to the author of the original bill, Rep. Warren Chisum, had previously affirmed that the class would not "preach the Bible" but examine it as a "document that has historical value." State lawmakers passed legislation on the Bible course in May.
Texas has been noted as a “non-favorable” state for privately accredited Bible colleges. Maybe they are making some progress to where we live as Christians and what we want for ourselves and our children.
We hope that other states that fight against small, privately accredited colleges will follow suit to return to where our country was founded – Freedom of Religion.
__________________________________________________________________________
By Lawrence Jones
Christian Post Reporter
Sat, Jul. 19 2008 08:58 AM EDT
From The Christian Post
The Texas State Board of Education on Friday gave final approval to establishing a Bible elective for high schools but left specific class guidelines up to local school districts.
Board members voted 10-5 to adopt broad standards for the Bible class. In March, they had already approved current TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills) guidelines for the Bible class but Friday's vote follows the opinion handed down last week by Attorney General Greg Abbott that affirmed the constitutionality of the proposed standards.
“We have met the requirements of the legislation. We don’t want to stifle what they (school districts) are doing in classrooms," said board member Cynthia Dunbar, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Texas high schools can start offering the Bible class for the 2008-09 school year now that the rule has been approved by over two-thirds of the board.
“Elective Bible courses now have the final green light from the Texas State Board of Education and Texas has now gained an academic advantage," said Jonathan Saenz, director of legislative affairs for Free Market Foundation, who testified before the board in support of the class on Thursday.
Some critics, however, said that the without specific guidelines, school districts offering the course could run into legal issues later if a neutral viewpoint of religion is not maintained in the class.
But supporters of the rule say that such concerns are already addressed in the TEKS guidelines, which call for "religious neutrality" and the accommodation of diverse religious views in the classroom.
Furthermore, they argue, the Bible class examines the impact of the Bible on history and literature and is not about religion.
Kudos to the author of the original bill, Rep. Warren Chisum, had previously affirmed that the class would not "preach the Bible" but examine it as a "document that has historical value." State lawmakers passed legislation on the Bible course in May.
Monday, August 17, 2009
What does a government controlled heath care plan have to do with education?
Simple – Education is an easy target to cut to find a part of the $1 trillion, 10-year price tag that comes with the bill.
But, support is beginning to lag!
Support for former President Bill Clinton's health plan hovered in similar territory in 1994 on its way to defeat. But the Clinton plan never made it as far in Congress as the Obama effort has this year. Indeed, the poll showed strong support among respondents for ideas common to all of the pieces of health-care legislation being considered by Congress. WASHINGTON – Wall Street Journal, August 14, 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON and AUGUST COLE
The Obama administration gave its strongest signal yet that it would be willing to compromise on plans to expand the government's direct role in health-insurance coverage as it fights a growing crescendo of opposition to its effort to overhaul health care.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a dangerous time!
People are carrying guns to the president’s Town Hall Meetings!
Pray for the safety of the president.
Whether you approve or disapprove of his form of government, we need him protected.
He is still out president.
News Article – in part
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------SupportSlips for Health Plan
Obama Push Faces Growing Doubts in Poll; Overhaul Advances in House, Senate
WASHINGTON -- Support for President Barack Obama's health-care effort has declined over the past five weeks, particularly among those who already have insurance, a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll found, amid prolonged debate over costs and quality of care.
In mid-June, respondents were evenly divided when asked whether they thought Mr. Obama's health plan was a good or bad idea. In the new poll, conducted July 24-27, 42% called it a bad idea while 36% said it was a good idea.
Among those with private insurance, the proportion calling the plan a bad idea rose to 47% from 37%.
Declining popularity of the health-care overhaul reflects rising anxiety over the federal budget deficit and congressional debate over the most contentious aspects of the legislation, including how to pay for it. The poll also shows concern over the role of government in determining personal medical decisions.
Trying to regain momentum, Mr. Obama is shifting his pitch to new consumer-protection rules for insurance companies, part of a bid to win over Americans who already have coverage.
David Axelrod, one of the president's top advisers, acknowledged that the White House's months-long focus on controlling medical costs hasn't worked. "Consumer protections are a lot more tangible," he said.
On Wednesday, Democratic leaders in the House reached accord with conservative party members to move their bill through the last of three committees, although the full House won't vote on the measure until at least September. "Failure is not an option," said California Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman.
The White House is eager to show progress and build public support before Congress breaks for summer, when opponents plan to continue their campaign. "If this bill hangs out there over the August recess my guess is it will get shredded," House Minority Leader John Boehner (R., Ohio), said.
• See the full results of the poll
• Archive: Previous WSJ/NBC News polls
• More interactive graphics and photos
In the Journal poll, only two in 10 people said the quality of their own care would improve under the Obama plan; just 15% of those with private insurance thought it would. Twice as many overall, and three times as many with private coverage, predicted their own care would get worse.
"You can't pass a substantial health reform unless privately insured people see there's a benefit for them," said Bill McInturff, a Republican pollster who conducts the poll with Democrat Peter D. Hart
Take part in the poll (go about half the way down the page)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124890178435291341.html#project%3DWSJNBC090729
But, support is beginning to lag!
Support for former President Bill Clinton's health plan hovered in similar territory in 1994 on its way to defeat. But the Clinton plan never made it as far in Congress as the Obama effort has this year. Indeed, the poll showed strong support among respondents for ideas common to all of the pieces of health-care legislation being considered by Congress. WASHINGTON – Wall Street Journal, August 14, 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON and AUGUST COLE
The Obama administration gave its strongest signal yet that it would be willing to compromise on plans to expand the government's direct role in health-insurance coverage as it fights a growing crescendo of opposition to its effort to overhaul health care.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a dangerous time!
People are carrying guns to the president’s Town Hall Meetings!
Pray for the safety of the president.
Whether you approve or disapprove of his form of government, we need him protected.
He is still out president.
News Article – in part
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support
Obama Push Faces Growing Doubts in Poll; Overhaul Advances in House, Senate
WASHINGTON -- Support for President Barack Obama's health-care effort has declined over the past five weeks, particularly among those who already have insurance, a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll found, amid prolonged debate over costs and quality of care.
In mid-June, respondents were evenly divided when asked whether they thought Mr. Obama's health plan was a good or bad idea. In the new poll, conducted July 24-27, 42% called it a bad idea while 36% said it was a good idea.
Among those with private insurance, the proportion calling the plan a bad idea rose to 47% from 37%.
Declining popularity of the health-care overhaul reflects rising anxiety over the federal budget deficit and congressional debate over the most contentious aspects of the legislation, including how to pay for it. The poll also shows concern over the role of government in determining personal medical decisions.
Trying to regain momentum, Mr. Obama is shifting his pitch to new consumer-protection rules for insurance companies, part of a bid to win over Americans who already have coverage.
David Axelrod, one of the president's top advisers, acknowledged that the White House's months-long focus on controlling medical costs hasn't worked. "Consumer protections are a lot more tangible," he said.
On Wednesday, Democratic leaders in the House reached accord with conservative party members to move their bill through the last of three committees, although the full House won't vote on the measure until at least September. "Failure is not an option," said California Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman.
The White House is eager to show progress and build public support before Congress breaks for summer, when opponents plan to continue their campaign. "If this bill hangs out there over the August recess my guess is it will get shredded," House Minority Leader John Boehner (R., Ohio), said.
• See the full results of the poll
• Archive: Previous WSJ/NBC News polls
• More interactive graphics and photos
In the Journal poll, only two in 10 people said the quality of their own care would improve under the Obama plan; just 15% of those with private insurance thought it would. Twice as many overall, and three times as many with private coverage, predicted their own care would get worse.
"You can't pass a substantial health reform unless privately insured people see there's a benefit for them," said Bill McInturff, a Republican pollster who conducts the poll with Democrat Peter D. Hart
Take part in the poll (go about half the way down the page)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124890178435291341.html#project%3DWSJNBC090729
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Why we like home schooled students
What are the advantages of home schooling?
It is reasonable to ask, given advances in education over the last century, what are the advantages of home schooling? What on the surface may look like an old-fashioned teaching method is increasing in popularity across the nation. Why is that? As it turns out, there are many good reasons for parents to home school their children, not the least of which is the fact that one-on-one tutoring has been widely recognized as the most effective method of education.
1. One-on-one, individual attention
2. Variety of curriculum
3. Study time is more focused on academics
4. Home schooled students score at or above average in virtually all subject areas on standardized tests.
5. Enhances family time and communication
6. Positive social experiences
1. One-on-one, individual attention
In a large classroom setting, even the best-trained teacher is incapable of giving the individual attention necessary to help each student excel. Parents are not only able to devote much more time to their children, but they also know their pupils on a personal level. They are able to tailor their curriculum and teaching styles in ways that are most conducive to their child's productivity. This individualized attention is one of the advantages of home schooling.
2. Variety of curriculum
Because of the variety of curriculum choices available to home schoolers, parents have several options when it comes to the material used for instruction. Not only are they given the freedom to teach core subjects from a biblical perspective, but they can also incorporate their child's interests into the curriculum. Skills such as woodworking, cooking, managing money, and shopping for healthy food on a budget can be learned through real-life interactions and projects. The advantages of home schooling are both personal and practical.
3. Study time is more focused on academics
The majority of time children spend in school is not spent focusing on academic subjects; it is spent waiting in lines, waiting for other students to be done with their work, waiting for the teacher to move on to another subject, waiting for recess, waiting for lunch. Home schoolers can cut out all of this unnecessary waiting, and get their work done within two or three hours. They can move at their own pace and still have time left over in the day to explore other interests.
4. Home schooled students score at or above average in virtually all subject areas on standardized tests.
Despite shorter schooling hours, home schoolers have consistently scored at or above average in virtually all subject areas on standardized tests. Studies have shown that children whose parents are directly involved in their education are more apt to excel in academics. Indeed, a home-schooled child is aware of the dedication of his parents to his educational success.
5. Enhances family time and communication
In addition to this, extended periods of time together strengthen family relationships, not only between the child and his parents, but also with his siblings. As they get to know each other, the family members form bonds that last a lifetime. Children tend to adopt the behaviors and values of those around whom they spend the majority of their time. Therefore, it stands to reason that home-schooled children are more likely than their classroom-schooled peers to value the views of their families over the views of their friends. They will find it easier to resist the pressure they get from their friends to break rules because they won't be spending hours of idle time together.
6. Positive social experiences
A home schooler's social experiences tend to be more positively influenced; they have the opportunity to spend time with children and adults of various ages, rather than thirty or more same-age peers.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the many advantages of home schooling, but just because the benefits seem to outweigh the disadvantages does not mean that home schooling is for everyone.
There is more than one way for parents to educate their children; we should not assume that home schooling is right for every family in every situation.
We Love Home Schooled Students
http://www.allaboutparenting.org/advantages-of-home-schooling-faq.htm
Monday, July 20, 2009
University of Phoenix Tuition
At the University of Phoenix, a distance learning institution, the tuition for a Bachelor’s degree in Education is $43,200. This amount does not include application fees, books or materials.
At Freedom Bible College a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Education the tuition is $2274 or $2047 if you pay in full at enrollment – but they also offer easy monthly payment plans. This is the FULL tuition price, not per semester. The only other cost you have is your textbooks which you keep to build your library
Theses are financially difficult times. Can you afford to throw away $41,126??
Obama's stimulus package is anti-religious
Republican Mike Huckabee, the once and future presidential candidate, is telling supporters that President Obama's stimulus package is anti-religious.
Why? Because it bans the use of higher education construction grants to modernize, renovate or repair facilities "used for sectarian instruction, religious worship … or a school or department of divinity; or in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission."
"You would think the ACLU drafted this bill," the former Arkansas governor writes.
He urges people to protest to their members of Congress in the short term. "In the long term, we need to kick the Democrats out of Congress," he says.
His pitch: Make contributions, make phone calls, forward his e-mail to 10 supporters. "Let those on Capitol Hill know that we’re outraged that they would take such a cheap shot at people of faith," Huckabee concludes.
USA Today
Why? Because it bans the use of higher education construction grants to modernize, renovate or repair facilities "used for sectarian instruction, religious worship … or a school or department of divinity; or in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission."
"You would think the ACLU drafted this bill," the former Arkansas governor writes.
He urges people to protest to their members of Congress in the short term. "In the long term, we need to kick the Democrats out of Congress," he says.
His pitch: Make contributions, make phone calls, forward his e-mail to 10 supporters. "Let those on Capitol Hill know that we’re outraged that they would take such a cheap shot at people of faith," Huckabee concludes.
USA Today
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Online Degrees Now Widely Accepted by Consumers and Employers
13:25 EST Thursday, January 08, 2009
High quality and cost-saving make online [distance learning] education increasingly attractive
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer acceptance of online education is now at an all-time high. Convenience, flexibility, and eliminating costly commutes to a campus have broadened the appeal of getting an online degree for busy adults. Over the past five years enrollments in online courses and online degrees have been growing over ten times faster than traditional higher education.
What about employer acceptance? Are employers reluctant or hiring graduates of online [distance learning] schools?
It depends, basically, on the individual job seeker. Does the candidate possess the requisite skills and knowledge to perform the job at a high level? Did he or she get the real education needed, not just a piece of paper?
These days distance learning graduates are no longer at a disadvantage, if they ever were. According to George Lorenzo, publisher of Educational Pathways, hiring managers "have come to realize that the vast majority of online higher education graduates are adult lifelong learners who are self-disciplined, reliable and have a knack for applying practical, experience-based knowledge in the workplace."
Business Exchange
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High quality and cost-saving make online [distance learning] education increasingly attractive
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer acceptance of online education is now at an all-time high. Convenience, flexibility, and eliminating costly commutes to a campus have broadened the appeal of getting an online degree for busy adults. Over the past five years enrollments in online courses and online degrees have been growing over ten times faster than traditional higher education.
What about employer acceptance? Are employers reluctant or hiring graduates of online [distance learning] schools?
It depends, basically, on the individual job seeker. Does the candidate possess the requisite skills and knowledge to perform the job at a high level? Did he or she get the real education needed, not just a piece of paper?
These days distance learning graduates are no longer at a disadvantage, if they ever were. According to George Lorenzo, publisher of Educational Pathways, hiring managers "have come to realize that the vast majority of online higher education graduates are adult lifelong learners who are self-disciplined, reliable and have a knack for applying practical, experience-based knowledge in the workplace."
Business Exchange
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Freedom Bible College and Seminary you will receive a real education. You will… “get the real education needed, not just a piece of paper.” You can choose from 47 different certificate and degree programs ranging from Associate through the highest degree we offer, the Doctor of Religious Research.
And, in the process, you can save thousands of dollars! You can choose distance learning or one of our resident colleges that are located around the world.
Freedom Bible College and Seminary is a non-profit 501(c)(3) ministry dedicated to offering a quality education to all that are willing to work.
Eight Questions that may Change your Life
Yes No
1. ___ ___ Has God given you a vision to educate your people?
2. ___ ___ Are you a gifted teacher or preacher?
3. ___ ___ Are there gifted teachers or preachers in your church that want to work for the Lord?
4. ___ ___ Do you have people in your church or ministry that need to learn more about the Bible?
5. ___ ___ Do you have a building or classroom that stands vacant two or more days each week?
6. ___ ___ Do you and your ministry have a desire to see the world saved?
7. ___ ___ Do you believe the Matthew 29:19-20 Great Commission is for today?
8. ___ ___ Do you want to see your church or ministry grow?
If you answered "yes" to one or more of the questions above, you may be a candidate to have your own Franchised, Degree Granting, Resident Branch of Freedom Bible College and Seminary!
1. ___ ___ Has God given you a vision to educate your people?
2. ___ ___ Are you a gifted teacher or preacher?
3. ___ ___ Are there gifted teachers or preachers in your church that want to work for the Lord?
4. ___ ___ Do you have people in your church or ministry that need to learn more about the Bible?
5. ___ ___ Do you have a building or classroom that stands vacant two or more days each week?
6. ___ ___ Do you and your ministry have a desire to see the world saved?
7. ___ ___ Do you believe the Matthew 29:19-20 Great Commission is for today?
8. ___ ___ Do you want to see your church or ministry grow?
If you answered "yes" to one or more of the questions above, you may be a candidate to have your own Franchised, Degree Granting, Resident Branch of Freedom Bible College and Seminary!
What is the Percentage of Degrees Held?
Associate degree - 9 percent
Bachelor degree - 35 to 40 percent
Master - 11 percent
Doctorate - 1 percent
Do you want to be in that 1 percent? It is possible.
http://www.freedombiblecollege.org
Bachelor degree - 35 to 40 percent
Master - 11 percent
Doctorate - 1 percent
Do you want to be in that 1 percent? It is possible.
http://www.freedombiblecollege.org
Can I cut the Cost of Education?
To cut educational costs, look at distance learning or other non-traditional methods of education. Often you will find what you need in a good non-regional accredited college. This means a extreme cut in the cost of education.
To appreciate the financial advantages at attending a distance learning or Assisted Academics seminary, you need to know the facts about most on-campus seminaries.
As of 2006, the cost of attending a typical resident seminary in the United States averaged between $11,000 and $13,000 per year. Tuition averaged from $340 to $400 per credit hour. Most courses are worth three credit hours, making each course cost from $1,020 to $1,200.
One well-known seminary keeps it simple by charging a flat fee of $2,200 per course at the Th.M and Ph.D. levels.
In addition to these fees you would pay room and board, application fees, continuation fees, candidacy fees, parking fees, graduation fees and who knows what else.
In some of the older and more notable seminaries it is usual for a graduate to have invested as much as $30,000 in tuition, books and fees alone. Housing and general living expenses are piled on top of that. Often, seminary graduates will be deep in long-term debt. Sometimes they are forced to take five to fifteen years to pay off.
So, look before you leap. Check all the options. Is “regional accreditation” worth tens of thousands of extra dollars?
http://www.freedomministries.com/tuition.html
To appreciate the financial advantages at attending a distance learning or Assisted Academics seminary, you need to know the facts about most on-campus seminaries.
As of 2006, the cost of attending a typical resident seminary in the United States averaged between $11,000 and $13,000 per year. Tuition averaged from $340 to $400 per credit hour. Most courses are worth three credit hours, making each course cost from $1,020 to $1,200.
One well-known seminary keeps it simple by charging a flat fee of $2,200 per course at the Th.M and Ph.D. levels.
In addition to these fees you would pay room and board, application fees, continuation fees, candidacy fees, parking fees, graduation fees and who knows what else.
In some of the older and more notable seminaries it is usual for a graduate to have invested as much as $30,000 in tuition, books and fees alone. Housing and general living expenses are piled on top of that. Often, seminary graduates will be deep in long-term debt. Sometimes they are forced to take five to fifteen years to pay off.
So, look before you leap. Check all the options. Is “regional accreditation” worth tens of thousands of extra dollars?
http://www.freedomministries.com/tuition.html
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