voiceofreason

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There is something called the Core Transfer Library in Indiana. They are courses that transfer among all Indiana Public Colleges. Independent (colleges) are in the process of accepting these as well. They are general education or free elective courses that are usually required academic courses for most undergrad degrees. So courses like English 101, biology 101, etc. are courses most students would have to take anyway, including Engineer Majors. While I was never a huge fan of Mitch Daniels, he did sign legislation that made dual credit courses more transferable. Go to www.transferin.net to learn more and become educated on this initiative. If you really know what your teenager is going to attend college and what there major options might be, I would encourage you to check into this fully before investing the money. However most students enter Indiana Public Universities undecided on a major and would be taking many of these courses anyway. that first year. Many do not finish their degree for numerous reasons. Some aren't ready, they are bored because the general courses seem like a repeat of high school, etc. Hopefully they will have some supports in place to help the students with the added rigor involved in these courses. There is a big push by the State for more students to have at least a year of post-secondary and colleges are being told to increase on time completion of degrees. So for a school to provide students the opportunity to complete a year of college work at the same time as high school graduation is a plus for their community in the long run.

January 17, 2013 8:54 am on Valpo schools, college program will enable students to skip freshman year at PNC
Hey Pat O'Rourke, I have an idea for you. Resign from being paid by the school district to be the Union President. Lead by example. You are the only Union President in the State that does not teach a single class, that is still paid by the school district. Your salary alone would save two beginning teaching positions. If you really cared about the teachers you represent and the education of students this would be the right thing to do!

July 05, 2012 2:21 pm on Hammond teacher union president looking at ways to bring back teachers
Even if they qualify for a voucher, they still have to pay some of the tuition. Also they have to provide their own transportation in most cases, which is more of a struggle for those in poverty.

What also drains on public school corporations is the amount of students withdrawing from private and charter schools after the enrollment date for student funding has past. They still have to educate everyone and the money stays with the previously school.

May 26, 2012 1:23 pm on Dozens of Hammond teachers could face layoffs
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/hammond/teachers-union-leaders-talk-viability-hammond-s-o-rourke-only/article_c026324b-fbb4-5543-aebb-d6820ac753a2.html

Previous article states the union president in Hammond is paid by the school corporation. That comes from the general fund which is money received from state tax revenue.

May 26, 2012 1:12 pm on Dozens of Hammond teachers could face layoffs
Maybe the Union President could be laid off from the school district paying his salary? That is easily a $100,000 with the cost of benefits saved right there and it could save a teaching position or two. Let the union dues cover his salary, not the taxpayers. Plus there was another half million over spent by the bilingual director, there is a few more teaching positions right there. I'm sure the school board and administration want to consolidate high schools, but the public doesn't want that to happen. They don't want their community high school closed. Face it, this is a urban school with declining enrollment. The high schools are old and outdated. Closing one or two would save millions in overhead costs. Hammond High has served its purpose, it's a big black hole in terms of costs to keep that building operating. Much cheaper to have fewer high schools and still be able to pay for all the services needed by students.

May 26, 2012 12:49 pm on Dozens of Hammond teachers could face layoffs
"the bilingual department does nothing wrong"

That's funny, I swear the State Audit said otherwise? Nobody is perfect genius. Besides most of the matters in a school that need to be correct are personnel matters and cannot be reported in public. It is always funny that when certain employees are in trouble all this stuff starts up again.

Religion? Last I checked there was separate of church and state in schools? Maybe some Catholics should try to erect a Crucifix? I can guarantee they would be ask to take that down too.

May 19, 2012 1:58 pm on Latinos pray for end to racism in Hammond
This is all a big smoke screen. This had nothing to do with racism. It was used as a scare tatic because the Bilingual Director is on the way out the door. Children these days, including Latios, have more educational opportunities than ever before and should take full advantage of them. Teachers are required to teach standards and school districts are required to operate within their budget.

May 19, 2012 11:45 am on Latinos pray for end to racism in Hammond