Blog Stage 8

On Monday, August 10, 2015, my classmate posted an article "Testing Reform Needed" to blog Musing of a Sassy Texas Skeptic. In this post, my classmate states that "We need to find a testing system that works for all children, something that will build confidence in them nor something that overwhelms and breaks them down." To support this claim, my classmate says in the post that "Today in Texas education is all about learning how to pass these tests and memorizing the things they can." Therefore, school is no longer exciting and fun to most students. Students lost their passion in studying. And everything they do is pretty much just for passing the tests. There is another fact to support the claim which the author mentions in the article that the testing system can destroy some children's self confidence. And all these facts make the children dislike school. Another reason the author used to support the claim is that "The variety in learning abilities of children is so wide yet they are all focused to complete the same tests. They have accommodations for some students but that barely touches on the different learning abilities of all children." Because the students spend most of their time in studying for the tests, so they can't improve the abilities of learning variety things.

This article also says that even House Bill 742 shows attention from the legislature, but it is still can't be enough a change due to the ignorance of social studies. Because social studies can be very important, it helps the students to learn about histories and cultures. I agree with my classmate's argument. Students spend so much time in school that school's environment is very important to their mental health while growing up. As we all know, there have been more and more students becoming depress due to the heavy tests in school. More and more students start to drop school. So to create a more fun and exciting learning environment will increase the children's interests of learning. There would be more and more students continue to finish their education and earn certain degree. This is not only good for the students themselves but also good to the country's development.

Texas should fund Planned Parenthood

Texas as one of the biggest states in the United States, its population has been growing rapidly. More and more immigrants keep moving to this state. Texas has become one of the major states in America of its economy in business and agriculture. But healthcare has always been a big issue in this state. According to 2010 data released by the United States Census Bureau's Current Population Survey, Texas has the highest rate of uninsured people of any state. As the population growing in this state, Texas should expand or fund some agencies that help people with healthcare issues.

Planned Parenthood, a non-profit organization that provides services for families, children and especially women. It is an access to affordable care. Its services focus on woman's health like breast and cervical cancer, sexual transaction diseases and especially offers birth control and abortion to uninsured or low income people. Nowadays, the medical costs in some clinics and hospitals are extremely high. That costs can bring many families to very difficult situations. With the low cost in Planned Parenthood and oriented services, it has been helping many people. To have a child is a very important decision in one's life, and it should be very careful and well-prepared. Planned Parenthood offer people who have these needs and help protect women's rights. So I think Texas should fund Planned Parenthood.

On Wednesday, July 29, 2015, my classmate posted an article "Let us make school more affordable." On this post, it talks about that Texas should reduce the cost of their colleges and universities since this state allow equal opportunity for all individuals to continue their education. I agree with my colleague's arguments because Texas' economy is doing very well, but higher level education is not as good as many other states.  According to The Dallas Morning News, "Texas earns C-minus, ranks 39th in nation on education ranking."  Also, Texas has a large percent of population are from immigrants. So by reducing the university tuition, it will greatly help many individuals to achieve their life goals.

In this post, my colleague also mentioned that “In Oregon, they passed a bill which they offer tuition-free schools." This will help the students can attend schools without stressing burdens. But to make sure there won't be too many people take advantage of this, my colleague states that," There are individuals who will attend school and come to find it is not something he or she may want pursue. A certain school tax should be given to them." My colleague also brings out the fact that many students have to get loans because they couldn't afford school supplies. They would end up paying interests. I have a friend who has to drop school for some semesters just to make enough money for paying bills. He couldn't get financial aid because his parents make salaries. But they don't pay for his school. Also America is a developed country, but the average university tuition is much higher than many developing countries. So I think we should make school more affordable.