Goldwater Institute: Student testing system a farce

by Matthew Ladner, Ph.D. The performance of every public school in Arizona gets judged under two sets of standards: the state system (AZ Learns) and the federal (No Child Left Behind). Under the federal system, schools failing to make yearly progress over a prolonged period of time face sanctions such as paying for private tutoring and even closure and reconstitution with a new staff. Arizona school administrators need not worry about any of that too much, however, as the powers that be have rigged the game in their favor. Previously, we have written about AIMS suffering the largest dummy down in the country. We have also documented that Arizona's version of the Terra Nova exam produces entirely implausible results. Now a recent study by the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation shows that state policymakers have taken further steps to take the bite out of No Child Left Behind. "Accountability Illusion" chose 18 elementary and 18 middle schools from around the country, and applied the varying No Child Left Behind accountability rules of 28 different states to see which schools would make "Adequate Yearly Progress" under which set of rules. They were trying to figure out which states jimmied the details to make it easier to meet AYP. They found that seemingly minute details like how many students were required to make up a subgroup and adopted "error margins" make a big, big difference. Fordham determined Arizona had the second-lowest overall standards of the 28 states studied. Arizona's student testing accountability system is profoundly off track. We have a dummied down AIMS test, an obviously flawed version of the Terra Nova, and a system of accountability under No Child Left behind that favors the school system's interest in the status quo over the public's interest in transparency. State lawmakers should become far more aggressive in guaranteeing a quality system of transparent student testing. Dr. Matthew Ladner is vice president for research at the Goldwater Institute.

Learn more: Goldwater Institute: Aimless AIMS Thomas B. Fordham Institute: Accountability Illusion Tucson Citizen: Az test results reported with rose-colored glasses

Slideshow from Thursday night's Republican Professionals Politics on the Rocks

ROSE NEWS: AZ Politics, Biz & Society in New Burgundy Channel Episode

The Burgundy Channel’s “Fastest News Show in the World ” is Back, Features the Latest on AZ Politics, Society, Business

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, JUNE 9, 2009–A groundbreaking Episode Five today. Another one Wednesday. The Burgundy Channel is back. AndArizona’s biggest elected officials, businessmen and socialites are concerned. For good reason. You’re about to learn more. A lot more.

Visit www.roseandallynpr.com and click on the link for “The Burgundy Channel.”

Rose & Allyn Public Relations, called “Arizona’s PR Heavyweight” by Arizona Business Magazine, has had the privilege of representing approximately 280 companies and causes since its inception in 1996. For more information, visit www.RoseandAllynPR.com.

Featured in this Episode:

· State Sen. Carolyn Allen

· Lobbyist Ryan Anderson

· Lobbyist Mike Gardner

· Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman and wife Mickey

· Gilbert Councilman Don Skousen

· ASU President Michael Crow

· “American Idol’s” David Cook

· Lobbyist Jimmy Hamilton

· Barney’s at Fashion Square

· Reporter Phil Riske

· Don Goldwater

· Former Senate President Brenda Burns

· Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce

· State Rep. Lucy Mason

· Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker

· Developer Marty DeRito

· Lobbyist John Kaites

· Political Consultant Chris Baker

· State Sen. Pamela Gorman

· PIR President Bryan Sperber

· Wil Cardon

What bills the local ACLU is opposing

(in other words, bills you should support)

Tomorrow, Senate committee members will meet to vote on numerous bills that have far-reaching civil liberties implications. Please take action to prevent the passage of these two bills:

SB 1175 "Illegal Aliens; Enforcement; Trespassing"

This bill makes any non-citizen who has entered the United States without permission guilty of the state crime of trespassing. It also severely ties the hands of city and county police departments by requiring them to prioritize this issue above other public safety responsibilities. Such a proposal is particularly harmful at a time when Arizona's local governments are already making difficult choices about how to allocate the few resources they still have. Finally, the bill will clog the courts by creating a private right of action for any person to sue the state or city if they perceive that the agency is not enforcing immigration law "to the full extent permitted by federal law."

SB 1175 is bad for Arizona because:

• Police departments that are currently enforcing immigration law through a contract with federal immigration authorities have already incurred costly litigation for violations of civil liberties.
• This bill will siphon off more officer time away from other important crime-fighting duties without the benefit of a contract or proper training, and result in prolonged detentions of citizens and legal residents. A 256-page report by the Police Foundation recently concluded that the costs of local police enforcement of immigration outweigh the benefits and that police officers should be prohibited from detaining anyone to investigate immigration status where there has been no state criminal law violation.
• Because the Constitution gives the federal government exclusive power to regulate our borders, with few exceptions, states are not free to create their own laws regulating immigration. A similar attempt to cloak local police with additional powers using a trespassing statute in New Hampshire was found to violate the Constitution.

The Public Safety and Human Services Committee will meet at
8:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, to hear SB 1175.

- Please contact these legislators ASAP -
(talking points embedded when you click the email links):

Manny Alvarez (D) malvarez@azleg.gov (602) 926-5895

Linda Gray (R) lgray@azleg.gov (602) 926-3376

Leah Landrum Taylor (D) llandrumtaylor@azleg.gov (602) 926-3830

Al Melvin (R) amelvin@azleg.gov (602) 926-4326

Rebecca Rios (D) rrios@azleg.gov (602) 926-5685

Jay Tibshraeny (R) jtibshraeny@azleg.gov (602) 926-4481

Jim Waring (R) jwaring@azleg.gov (602) 926-4916

---

SB 1393 "Public Education; Students' Religious Liberties"

This bill mandates that school officials allow public school students to wear all "religious symbols and messages."

SB 1393 is bad for Arizona because:

• It carves out protections for only religious expression and speech. Favoring religious speech over other forms of expression is prohibited by both the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, as well as the establishment clause of the First Amendment. If a school allows religious words on one student's t-shirt, it cannot prohibit another student from wearing a t-shirt with other, non-religious messages (unless the messages are obscene or disruptive).
• It serves as a mandate on school districts to pass local policies on the "voluntary expression of religious viewpoints," essentially forcing local schools to pass content-based regulations. This could cause schools to incur automatic legal liability.
• It is not necessary and fails to address any particular problem. This is especially true considering the Constitution already protects students' ability to express their personal religious, political, philosophical, and other beliefs in classrooms and during school activities - consistent with policies supporting a free exchange of ideas and expressions.

The Education Accountability and Reform Committee will meet at
1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, to hear SB 1393

- Please contact these legislators ASAP -
(talking points embedded when you click the email links):

Paula Aboud(D) paboud@azleg.gov (602) 926-5262

Sylvia Allen (R) sallen@azleg.gov (602) 926-5219

Linda Gray (R) lgray@azleg.gov (602) 926-3376

John Huppenthal (R) jhuppenthal@azleg.gov (602) 926-5261

Leah Landrum Taylor (D) llandrumtaylor@azleg.org (602) 926-3830

Linda Lopez (D) llopez@azleg.gov (602) 926-4089

Jonathan Paton (R) jpaton@azleg.gov (602) 926-3235

Shadegg: 83% of Americans Will Lose Health Care They Like

Democrat Congressional Leaders to 83% of Americans:

If you like your health care, too bad…we are taking it away.

Shadegg: “Democrats in Congress are proposing a Washington takeover that threatens the health care coverage of millions of Americans who are happy with their current plan.”

Today, Congressman John Shadegg (AZ-3) issued the following statement after leading House Democrats Chairmen Henry Waxman (D-CA), Charlie Rangel (D-NY), and George Miller (D-CA) unveiled an outline of their health care reform bill moving towards government control of America’s health care system.

“Democrats in Congress are proposing a Washington takeover that threatens the health care coverage of millions of Americans who are happy with their current plan. Though Democrats refuse to release details about their bill, their plan should trouble all Americans.

“The Democrats’ proposal will:

· Tax the health care benefits you get from your employer – raising the cost of private health coverage and causing your employer to drop it. In other words, to the 83% of Americans who like the coverage they currently have from their employers, too bad you will lose it.

· Fine employers who don’t provide health coverage designed by Washington , destroying jobs and depressing wages in the middle of a recession.

· Mandate all Americans purchase a government-designed health plan or punish them for failing to do so.

· Impose lengthy wait lists and deny drugs, tests, and treatments based on bureaucrats’ decisions instead the choices of individual Americans in consultation with their doctors. What you have and 83% of Americans like now will be wiped out and gone.

· Be rushed through Congress in barely 40 days to keep the American people in the dark.

“Our health care system needs to be reformed—reforms that will give Americans real choice and affordable care. But health care is too personal for a “one-size-fits-all” government plan. It’s time for health care to become personalized and individualized. It’s time to give patients choice, driving cost down and quality up.”

CONTACT: SARA MUELLER

(202) 225-3361

Republican Professionals Politics on the Rocks wine tasting event this Thursday

RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=79301732682&ref=mf

Republican Professionals: "Politics on the Rocks" is proud to announce that we are having a wine tasting event at The Estate House located at 7134 East Stetson Drive, Suite 200 (Directly across the canal from Olive and Ivy) in Old Town Scottsdale on Thursday, June 11th at 6:00 PM. We have the entire Upstairs Lounge reserved for this event.

Come join us for a fun evening of "Conservatives & Cocktails" and network with our honored guests Barry Goldwater Jr., Mayor Vernon Parker, Mayor Jim Lane, Senator Jon Paton, Former State Chairman John Munger, The Honorable Clancy Jayne, KFYI's Mike Broomhead, Shiree Verdone, and David Schweikert.

Please RSVP as soon as possible because space is limited. We had over 300 professionals at our last networking event.

As usual, admission to this event is free. Should you wish to partake in the wine tasting we have secured a special rate of $10 which includes 3 oz pours of the four wines listed below. The following wines will be poured by Craig Chaillie head Sommelier at The Estate House:

Bex, QbA Riesling, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany 2007
Loaded with peachy fruit and a layer of acidity against the fruit, with notes of honey, pear, and minerals that linger in the palate afterwards. Just enough sweetness to give it a refreshing edge.

Tunnel of Elms, Chardonnay, California 2007
This wine exhibits bright citrus and tropical fruit aromas and flavors, with a rich, creamy texture.

Ray’s Station, Merlot, California 2004
Well-balanced and complex, with layers of spicy plum, black cherry and cassis and underlying hints of tobacco and coffee bean. On the palate the lush fruit is balanced by firm tannins and a nice acidity. The finish is lingering and smoky.

Tunnel of Elms, Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2007
Intense black fruit aromas and rich plum and black cherry flavors accented by wild herb and black pepper tones.

Regards,

Republican Professionals: "Politics on the Rocks"

Facebook RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=79301732682&ref=mf

Evite RSVP: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/KERSQWDMGFBVPTEBTYJS/politicsontherocksjune11

Thank you to our mystery donor in Congress, AZ!

To whomever anonymously mailed my father a generous amount of money after my brother's death, thank you, thank you, thank you. My dad would love to know who you are so he can thank you. It means a lot to our family and will help with funeral expenses and Nathan's medical bills.

Latest PAChyderm Coalition legislator rankings

Because of the budget bill, there were some shake-ups in the rankings. Top scores in the Senate went to Verschoor, Pearce and Paton. In the House, it was Burges, Seel, Crump, Biggs, Montenegro, Hendrix, Gowan, Antenori, Kavanagh, Barnes, Lesko and Yarbrough. The lowest rankings in the Senate went to Tibshraeny and Allen. In the House, they went to Quelland and Konopnicki.

NetworkingPhoenix.com events this week

Monday

Chat, Chew, and Chocolate - Connect with the fabulous women of the West Valley chapter at this inspiring meeting.

Tuesday

The Mastermind Roundtable - Members of this group bring different experiences and skills to the table and share ideas on how to increase sales and dominate their markets.


Arizona Going Green - Are you confused about going green? Join Arizona Going Green for this informational seminar about home energy audits presented at the Arizona Home & Garden Expo.

ASBA "Fast & Curious^TM" - This "ready - set - go" style of networking allows members to meet other members at three-minute intervals. Track shoes not required!

Wednesday

Scottsdale Tips Club - Founded in 1972, and now the oldest leads club in the Valley, the Tips club meetings are a fun, entertaining blend of leads sharing and business promotion.

Arizona Business Circle - Bring plenty of business cards when you have lunch with this strategic business building referral group.

North Scottsdale Chamber - Create MORE exposure for your individual business when you join us for our bi-monthly networking luncheon.

Thursday

At Six Degrees Leadership meetings our goal is to take what we learn and put it to action so that you never leave our meetings and go back to business as usual.

Come say ‘hi' to me at the YES Women's Business Expo!! Connect with entrepreneurial women just like you. With informational speakers, networking activities, products, services, and door prizes the YES! Women's Business Expo truly delivers Your Essentials for Success. We'll have a table, so you'll be able to spot me.

Yelp Rocks - Time for a big open event for all Valley Yelpers! Rock out with us at Martini Ranch for this unique social networking event!

Raven's B2B Mixer - Network with other professionals in a social upscale environment within Barcelona's grand VIP area.

Friday

Face to Face Friday - Face Time Friday is a new way to network. We have no agenda and no schedule. Drop by the Coffee Plantation in Glendale to join us!

North Phoenix Chamber - Power network with the best at this industry specific leads group!

Arizona Business & Professional Women - We bring together women from all kinds of careers to network, to share ideas, and to build management skills we can grow on.

CAP: Same-sex marriage, Truth Project

June 5, 2009

Let's Roll!

After an intense week at the State Capitol, both the House and Senate passed a 2010 state budget. The legislature now must come to an agreement on the budget with Gov. Brewer by June 30. This week's action, however, finally opens the door for legislative action on CAP's legislative agenda as the Senate has been holding bills until the budget vote. As soon as the Senate passed the budget, CAP's Policy Team sprung into action. Senate Committees next week are scheduled to hear at least 8 pro-life, pro-family bills, including the Abortion Consent Act and the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban. Check out our blog for next week's hearing schedule. Stay tuned to our blog next week as we will be daily posting what's happening at the Capitol. And, if you're interested and available, join us at the Capitol for the Senate hearings.

Same-Sex "Marriage" Gaining Support?

As you've probably heard, New Hampshire redefined marriage this week to include same-sex couples. Despite a survey of every household in New Hampshire showing strong support for one-man, one-woman marriage, New Hampshire politicians decided the state should become the sixth state to legalize same-sex "marriage." While many are calling the legalization of same-sex "marriage" a trend, a recent Gallup poll shows that support for same-sex "marriage" has been declining over the past few years. Not to mention the fact that the people in 30 states have voted to protect marriage in their state constitutions while no state has legalized same-sex "marriage" by a vote of the people! As the battle for marriage's legal definition continues, don't be fooled. Same-sex "marriage" is not inevitable.

FPC Summer Tour - 3000 Miles, 10 Family Policy Councils, 2 Weeks!

Starting next Friday, CAP's Legislative Aide Brett Urig will be headed on a two-week, cross-country tour to visit nine different Family Policy Councils (CAP's "sister organizations" who work for family values in their respective states). During the trip, Brett will interview and learn from other FPCs about what issues they are following. Each night, these interviews and blogs will be posted on the FPC Summer Tour website. Make sure to follow Brett as he visits Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Truth Project Training Coming to Glendale!

Are we looking at the world through the lens of biblical Truth? What does the Lord have to say about Truth, Ethics, Theology, Science, History, Sociology, and more? Dr. Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Bible and Theology at Phoenix Seminary says,"The Truth Project is doing a tremendous job in helping Christians to rethink these areas of life. It's my conviction that when Christians see what the Bible teaches about these various areas of ordinary life, that their thinking will be transformed - that their lives will be changed." On June 20th, CAP will be hosting another Truth Project training session to equip small group leaders to share this powerful worldview curriculum with others. If you're considering starting a Truth Project group in the fall, then register online today and don't miss this exciting training event!

PAChyderm latest legislator rankings are up

Verschoor, Pearce and Paton received the top scores in the Senate. Burges, Seel, Crump, Biggs, Montenegro, Hendrix, Gowan, and Antenori received the top scores in the House. The worst scores went to Nelson and Melvin in the Senate, and Quelland and Konopnicki in the House.

Conflict of interest with $347 million Phoenix court tower?

It's the largest construction project in Maricopa County history, but the new-state-of- the-art court tower is shrouded in secrecy.

"And why is any of this secret? What does the county have to hide?" said Clint Bolick, an attorney with the Goldwater Institute. "This is not a matter of national security. It is not some sort of tense lawsuit that the county has. This is a run of the mill project."

The $347 million dollar taxpayer-funded project is already under criminal investigation by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

But it's the secrecy and the apparent conflict of interest that has Bolick outraged.

Read the rest of the article by Channel 15