It is said that doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of crazy...
The Missouri Senate (in which our illustrious Jane Cunningham represents us, yuck!) is currently considering Senate Bill 373 (available here). This bill is another attempt to pass the same thing Jane Cunningham tried last year (2008 HB 2482).
Open enrollment doesn't work. It doesn't create the mythical "market forces" that the sponsors claim it will. Don't believe me, read the research at WPRI (here).
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Jane and Evolution vs. Creationism
In 2003, Jane Cunningham apparently came to the conclusion that public education and her particular brand of Christian faith are incompatible. Not all Christians believe that the theory of evolution contradicts their faith. I personally don't find any contradiction, but I also don't believe in a strictly literal interpretation of the bible.
Jane Cunningham sponsored HB 1315, which supposedly protected "academic freedom", but which actually was designed to encourage teaching creationism (also known as "intelligent design"). There was also a companion bill sponsored by Robert Wayne Cooper (HB 2554) covering elementary and secondary education. This is clear. Look past the smoke screen of "academic freedom". Both of these bills were designed to encourage teaching creationism (intelligent design). Creationism was deemed to violate the establishment clause of the constitution by the Supreme Court in 1987 (Edwards v. Aguillard) and Intelligent Design was found to be the same theory with a different name in 2002 (Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District).
Thank God these bills both died... This junk is damaging to our educational system...
Evolution is a "theory", but it's a VERY accepted theory. Creationists have been trying to use their limited understanding of scientific "theory" to undermine the Theory of Evolution. Think about it. GRAVITY is just a theory! For more information about the theory of gravity, I would suggest visiting Stanford University at http://einstein.stanford.edu.
Why do I care about this? Undermining the theory of evolution is being done on purely religious grounds, and it's BAD for our children's education. Look at cancer research that has been strongly influenced by evolution. See this article on the topic...
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=investigating-cancers-deadly-fusion
Do we really want people like Jane Cunningham holding back advancements in cancer research and the treatments that might result? Do we want European and Asian countries leading advancements in cancer treatments? Do we want the USA to become a 2nd rate country in science & technology?
The earth is not flat. The sun does not revolve around the earth. We need to stop Jane Cunningham from pushing us back into the dark ages.
Jane Cunningham sponsored HB 1315, which supposedly protected "academic freedom", but which actually was designed to encourage teaching creationism (also known as "intelligent design"). There was also a companion bill sponsored by Robert Wayne Cooper (HB 2554) covering elementary and secondary education. This is clear. Look past the smoke screen of "academic freedom". Both of these bills were designed to encourage teaching creationism (intelligent design). Creationism was deemed to violate the establishment clause of the constitution by the Supreme Court in 1987 (Edwards v. Aguillard) and Intelligent Design was found to be the same theory with a different name in 2002 (Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District).
Thank God these bills both died... This junk is damaging to our educational system...
Evolution is a "theory", but it's a VERY accepted theory. Creationists have been trying to use their limited understanding of scientific "theory" to undermine the Theory of Evolution. Think about it. GRAVITY is just a theory! For more information about the theory of gravity, I would suggest visiting Stanford University at http://einstein.stanford.edu.
Why do I care about this? Undermining the theory of evolution is being done on purely religious grounds, and it's BAD for our children's education. Look at cancer research that has been strongly influenced by evolution. See this article on the topic...
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=investigating-cancers-deadly-fusion
Do we really want people like Jane Cunningham holding back advancements in cancer research and the treatments that might result? Do we want European and Asian countries leading advancements in cancer treatments? Do we want the USA to become a 2nd rate country in science & technology?
The earth is not flat. The sun does not revolve around the earth. We need to stop Jane Cunningham from pushing us back into the dark ages.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Do School Choice Programs Work?
If Jane Cunningham isn't in favor of ABOLISHING public schools entirely (like her supporters are), she is certainly in favor of vouchers to help wealthy parents pay for private school, or at least she favors letting parents choose between various public schools. School choice also goes under the name of "open enrollment". Jane's proposal in the spring of 2008 would have allowed open enrollment within a 30 mile radius. Having put my own children through private school for many years, I know how much work it involves to drive your kids to school each day. This is just not a workable solution on a widespread basis. If you don't believe me, look at school systems that have tried this concept.
Before we experiment further with school choice, doesn't it make sense to look at the results from other experiments? How about the lessons learned by Wisconsin public schools? How about reading the write-up from a conservative think-tank that has traditionally supported the school choice concept? Here's a write-up from the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute on the subject of school choice and how it has worked in Milwaukee...
http://www.wpri.org/Reports/Volume%2020/Vol20no8/Vol20no8p1.html
Read the details. The WPRI found that about 10% of the parents in the school system exercised choice because of academic factors. A 10% swing is not going to revolutionize education. NCLB has been far more effective, but NCLB still doesn't give us a clear path to improving those failing schools. NCLB ultimately throws up its hands and hopes the market will magically fix them. It didn't work in Milwaukee.
When the mainstream media talks about the "failure" of public schools, they're primarily talking about inner-city, low income districts. No Child Left Behind has defined a "sub-group" that has consistently failed to make AYP (Average Yearly Progress) targets, regardless of whether they reside in a wealthy or poor district. The sub-group includes those kids who get free & reduced lunch, meaning they are the children of low-income people.
School choice has not magically transformed inner-city schools. We need to be looking for something that will break the cycle of poverty. I personally like the structure of the private school where my kids attended. Every classroom has TWO teachers. The lead teacher stands at the front of the class teaching. The assistant teacher sits at the back, keeping order and helping kids that are struggling. Of course that approach takes MONEY, which is part of what will fix the inner-city schools. Oh, and don't think it's all about the inner-city. Poor rural districts have similar failures to contend with. Money by itself won't fix the problem, but it's one element of the solution.
I would love to see Jane Cunningham and her big $$$ supporters spend time trying to fix the problems with public schools. I suppose maybe they find it easier to tear down the educational system rather than trying to build it up.
Before we experiment further with school choice, doesn't it make sense to look at the results from other experiments? How about the lessons learned by Wisconsin public schools? How about reading the write-up from a conservative think-tank that has traditionally supported the school choice concept? Here's a write-up from the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute on the subject of school choice and how it has worked in Milwaukee...
http://www.wpri.org/Reports/Volume%2020/Vol20no8/Vol20no8p1.html
Read the details. The WPRI found that about 10% of the parents in the school system exercised choice because of academic factors. A 10% swing is not going to revolutionize education. NCLB has been far more effective, but NCLB still doesn't give us a clear path to improving those failing schools. NCLB ultimately throws up its hands and hopes the market will magically fix them. It didn't work in Milwaukee.
When the mainstream media talks about the "failure" of public schools, they're primarily talking about inner-city, low income districts. No Child Left Behind has defined a "sub-group" that has consistently failed to make AYP (Average Yearly Progress) targets, regardless of whether they reside in a wealthy or poor district. The sub-group includes those kids who get free & reduced lunch, meaning they are the children of low-income people.
School choice has not magically transformed inner-city schools. We need to be looking for something that will break the cycle of poverty. I personally like the structure of the private school where my kids attended. Every classroom has TWO teachers. The lead teacher stands at the front of the class teaching. The assistant teacher sits at the back, keeping order and helping kids that are struggling. Of course that approach takes MONEY, which is part of what will fix the inner-city schools. Oh, and don't think it's all about the inner-city. Poor rural districts have similar failures to contend with. Money by itself won't fix the problem, but it's one element of the solution.
I would love to see Jane Cunningham and her big $$$ supporters spend time trying to fix the problems with public schools. I suppose maybe they find it easier to tear down the educational system rather than trying to build it up.
Jane took more $$$ from anti-education groups
On November 3rd, 2008 Jane Cunningham accepted $15,000 from a group dedicated to abolishing public education. The group is called Missouri Needing Education Alternatives PAC. Check it out here (on page 6 of the report)...
http://www.mec.mo.gov/CampaignFinanceReports/CFFilerPDFs/FullReport/FullReport.aspx?CDRCP_id=17911&MyYear=2008
So, are you wondering who is this "group"? This PAC was created by Rex Sinquefield. Here's a nice little write-up about Rex and his activities...
http://www.missouriprovote.org/Docs/Vouchers_Sinquefield_PuttingAPriceOnPolitics.pdf
It's sad that people like Mr. Sinquefield have so much money to spend advancing an agenda that's so negative for the future of our children and the state of Missouri. Just think of all the worthwhile things this guy could do with that money. If you ask me, he's just another Paris Hilton with a different spin (too much money, too little brains). It's also sad that Jane Cunningham takes his money. I can't decide whether Jane is principled but seriously misguided, or whether she would take any position that brings campaign donations in the door.
http://www.mec.mo.gov/CampaignFinanceReports/CFFilerPDFs/FullReport/FullReport.aspx?CDRCP_id=17911&MyYear=2008
So, are you wondering who is this "group"? This PAC was created by Rex Sinquefield. Here's a nice little write-up about Rex and his activities...
http://www.missouriprovote.org/Docs/Vouchers_Sinquefield_PuttingAPriceOnPolitics.pdf
It's sad that people like Mr. Sinquefield have so much money to spend advancing an agenda that's so negative for the future of our children and the state of Missouri. Just think of all the worthwhile things this guy could do with that money. If you ask me, he's just another Paris Hilton with a different spin (too much money, too little brains). It's also sad that Jane Cunningham takes his money. I can't decide whether Jane is principled but seriously misguided, or whether she would take any position that brings campaign donations in the door.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Is this the face of West County?
Is this the face of West County? Does she "represent" us? Does she represent our values? When people look at her, they see West County. When people have to deal with her ugly tone in government, they see West County.
She's an attack dog on a mission to abolish public schools. Just look at her supporters. She has had supporters from groups like the Alliance for Separation of School and State. This is an organization that proclaims...
"I proclaim publicly that I favor ending government involvement in education."
Look at Jane Cunningham's education record. Look at the accomplishments she claimed during the 2008 election. Jane didn't claim ANY education-related accomplishments even though she was the CHAIR of the House Education Committee. That's one amazing record!
Jane Cunningham's Education Record
Jane Cunningham has repeatedly proposed legislation detrimental to our education system. The following are highlights of Jane’s legislative record that should concern you:
• Jane proposed that no public school teacher shall lobby the general assembly unless such teacher makes arrangements to pay the salary of the substitute teacher from their own pocket. HB1222
• Jane has repeatedly proposed backdoor vouchers through corporate tax credits and scholarships. The result of these bills will take money out of the public school system HB1479, HB639,HB498, HJR1, HJR32
• Despite objections from her own party and repeated testimony that doing so would create legal challenges and unprecedented risks for teachers, Jane continued with her proposal to remove of the statue of limitations for sexual misconduct with a student. HB1314
• At the Feb. 5 House Higher Education Committee hearing for Intellectual Diversity, Jane Cunningham classified teachers as a bigoted crowd who intimidate and indoctrinate with unilateral points of view. http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Feb/20080212Comm007.asp
• At the 2006 August meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in Grapevine, Texas, Jane criticized the benefit packages for teachers, including their pensions. She led the discussion of the 65 percent proposal which could restrict teacher’s salaries. http://rturner229.blogspot.com/2006/01/attack-on-public-schools-has-begun-in.html
• Jane has called superintendents and athletic directors “Little people who want power” when trying to justify bringing the MSHSAA under State control. HB1232, HB631 http://blogs.columbiatribune.com/education/2008/01/bill_targets_mshsaa.html
• Jane has repeatedly tried to pass legislation which would prevent the courts from mandating the state to fully fund the foundation formula and take away the rights of appeal for thousands of taxpayers and business who have been overcharged on their taxes. HJR31, HJR1, HJR41
• On a lobbying day when legislators make themselves available to constituents, two students were asked to leave Jane’s Office, the Chair of the Education Committee, when they tried to lobby to add sexual orientation to anti-bullying laws to the Safe Schools Act. Jane asked the two students to leave, as she "couldn't look at [them] anymore," because their appearance "offended" her. When asked why the students were told to leave Cunningham said: "I don't see how any human being could look at them for any prolonged period of time without getting physically ill...I thought I would throw-up if I looked at them any longer." Rep. Cunningham immediately locked her door after the second group left and refused to see anymore volunteer lobbyists. Columbia Tribune, April 8, 2008 and Stltoday.com, April 1, 2008
• As Chairwoman of the House Education Committee, Jane was the subject of an Ethics Investigation for a letter she wrote to the GOP caucus, lobbying for reappointment as Chair. She touted that if reappointed she would use her position to raise campaign dollars for fellow Republicans from a school voucher advocacy organization. http://columbiatribune.com/2005/jun/20050607news022.asp The letter can be viewed at http://www.marthaott.com/letter/index.htm
• Jane sponsored legislation that would restrict teacher’s privacy and free-speech rights and ban their private use of professional and social networking websites. HB 1314
• Jane has proposed legislation that allows tenured teachers to be dismissed for supporting a strike. HB1161
• In addition to elected officials, Jane has sponsored legislation that would require appointed School Administrators and Superintendents to file financial interest statements with the Missouri Ethics Commission to determine party affiliation.HB1046
• Jane has repeatedly proposed Open enrollment for Missouri which would cause the collapse of those schools being exited, overpopulate the others and strain their budgets. HB807, HB690, HB2481, HB2482
• Jane has repeatedly proposed legislation which circumvents present teaching standards and certification programs. American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) does not require any coursework or experience in teaching. Under Jane’s legislation, anyone holding a bachelor’s degree and can afford $500 to pass two computer based tests will be qualified to teach in Missouri. HB1649, HB145, HB1057
• “I hit him between the eyes." is how Jane characterized her verbal assault on former Kirkwood High School Principal Franklin McCallie as he testified before her committee. Mr. McCallie testified about student harassment of LGBT students. He said her legislation would make it harder to insure the security and safety of those children. For defending gay students, Jane scorned Principal McCallie by saying “You are not so far from St. Louis that your public involvement the last 15 years working against Christians is not well-known." St. Louis Journalism Review, April 2003
• Jane has repeatedly proposed administrative laden legislation requiring each public institution to report annually to the general assembly detailing twelve required steps the institution is taking to ensure “intellectual diversity”. The bill includes hiring, tenure, and promotion policies for teachers based on their viewpoints. HB213, HB1315
• One of Jane’s largest contributors is Barry Conner from the organization Alliance for the Separation of School and State who is signatory to the declaration “I proclaim publicly that I favor ending government involvement in education.” In one MEC report, his contributions to her amounted for 79% of her entire contributions that quarter. http://www.mec.mo.gov/CampaignFinanceReports
Unfortunately, the height of hypocrisy does not end with anti-education bills being sponsored by the Chair of the Education Committee. In 2005, Jane voted to cut Medicaid to 400,000 children, elderly and disabled and just weeks later rejected a bill that would affect her own insurance by only 20%. On her website, Jane says she will “strengthen penalties against politicians who break state law” yet was the subject of an Ethics Investigation for actions “tantamount to bribery”. The charges stemmed from a letter written by Jane promising substantial contributions to the Republican Caucus from the pro-voucher group All Children Matter in exchange for re-appointment as Chair of Education. Jane also writes on her website that “transparent government is imperative to serving the people” but she sponsored a bill which would make it a crime for the Press to report on any pending ethics complaint against a legislator with a penalty of up to one year imprisonment (HB255). And despite her rhetoric for less government, her bills have consistently called for greater government control and less legal, privacy and civil liberties for our citizens.
Below is the chronological order of legislation sponsored by Jane Cunningham:
HB 906 (‘01) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Creates state income tax credits for cash contributions to educational charities and scholarship charities
HB 1741 (‘02) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Allows state employees who opt out of the state health insurance plan to receive half of the cost of the benefit to pay for coverage elsewhere or as additional salary upon proof of coverage.
HB 1741 (‘02)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane Allows state employees who opt out of the state health insurance plan to receive half of the cost of the benefit to pay for coverage elsewhere or as additional salary upon proof of coverage.
HB 2116 (‘02) --- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits public or private schools from joining or retaining membership in any statewide activities association
HB 1739 (‘02)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Creates a tax credit for contributions to scholarship or educational charities.
HB 1740 (‘02)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises terms of service for members of the governing council of the special school district in St. Louis County.
HB 345 (‘03)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Creates a tax credit for contributions to scholarship charities.
HB 631(‘03) --- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises conditions under which schools may join or retain membership in statewide activities associations.
HB 319(‘03) --- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes requirements for schools participating in activities associations.
HB 370(‘03) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises terms of service for members of the governing council of certain special school districts.
HB 940 (‘04)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises the terms of service for members of the governing council of certain special school districts.
HB 1649 (‘04)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Relates to teacher certification.
HB 1737 (‘04)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Relates to school credit for students transferring into an accredited public school district from an unaccredited public or nonpublic school or a home school.
HB 34 (‘05)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Eliminates the requirement that course materials and instruction on human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases include discussion of contraception methods
HB 105 (‘05)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits public schools from joining statewide activities associations if the association prohibits tuition-paying students from participating on a school team to which the tuition is paid
HB 106 (‘05)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the terms of service for members of the governing council of certain special school districts
HB 145(‘05) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the laws regarding teacher certification
HB 251(‘05) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Provides for loss of tenure and pay for public school teachers that strike
HB 319 (‘05)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes procedures for the evaluation of credits for students transferring into an accredited public school district from an unaccredited public or nonpublic school or a home school
HB 639 (‘05)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes the Betty L. Thompson Scholarship Program and authorizes an individual and business tax credit for contributions to certified nonprofit educational charitable organizations
HB 946 (‘05)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the laws regarding school attire
HJR 31 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Proposes a constitutional amendment restricting state court jurisdiction in the areas of taxing, spending, and budgeting Sponsor:
HJR 32 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Proposes a constitutional amendment specifiying that certain sections of the Missouri Constitution cannot be more restrictive than the First Amendment of the United States Constitution
HB 1522 (‘06)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Allows the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a policy to place additional information such as attendance and class rank on a student's high school diploma
HB 1449 (‘06)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits the state from requiring a substitute or part-time teacher employed within one year of the teacher's retirement to be subject to a background check by a school district
HB 1479 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes the Angell Scholarship Program and authorizes an individual and business tax credit for contributions to certified educational charitable
HB 1195 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits public schools from joining certain statewide activities associations
HB 1075 (‘06)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises the requirements for course materials and instruction in public schools relating to contraception and sexually transmitted diseases Prohibits public schools from joining certain statewide activities associations Students must be informed that personally and medically relevant information concerning contraception, abortion, and pregnancy may be obtained from their family practitioner rather than presenting students with the latest medically factual information regarding side effects,health benefits, and failure rates for methods of prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
HB 1062 (‘06)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Members who have served for eight or more years cannot serve again until at least three other members of the board of education of their school district have served as governing council members or until a total of six years have been served by other members of their board of education. Members in office who no longer qualify must be replaced within 30 days of the effective date of the bill.
HB 1058 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the laws regarding school attire
HB 1059 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes procedures for how school districts evaluate credits of transferring students.
HB 1060 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Designates how the boards of school districts, colleges and community colleges take and record votes.
HB 29 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the terms of service for members of the governing council of the St. Louis Special School District
HB 30 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits public schools from joining certain statewide activities associations
HB 33(‘07) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Requires governing boards at public colleges and universities, community college districts, and school districts to take roll-call votes on school policy matters
HB 35 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Requires school districts to allow parents the opportunity to withhold permission for a child to join school-sponsored clubs or participate in extracurricular activities
HB 38 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes procedures for the evaluation of credits for students transferring into an accredited public school district from an unaccredited public or nonpublic school or home school
HB 417 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the laws regarding teacher certification in finance and establishes guidelines regarding the evaluation of student credentials when transferring into a school district
HB 690 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Allows public school students to choose to attend a public school district other than the school district of his or her residence
HB 807 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Allows public school students to choose to attend a public school district other than the school district of his or her residence
HB 1220 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Requires certificated teachers to submit documentation to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education every five years showing adequate scores on certain assessments
HB 1222 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits public school teachers from lobbying the General Assembly during their class periods unless they pay the substitute teacher's salary
HB 1223 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises the conditions under which districts may suspend or terminate teacher and administrator contracts in districts that are provisionally accredited or unaccredited
• Jane proposed that no public school teacher shall lobby the general assembly unless such teacher makes arrangements to pay the salary of the substitute teacher from their own pocket. HB1222
• Jane has repeatedly proposed backdoor vouchers through corporate tax credits and scholarships. The result of these bills will take money out of the public school system HB1479, HB639,HB498, HJR1, HJR32
• Despite objections from her own party and repeated testimony that doing so would create legal challenges and unprecedented risks for teachers, Jane continued with her proposal to remove of the statue of limitations for sexual misconduct with a student. HB1314
• At the Feb. 5 House Higher Education Committee hearing for Intellectual Diversity, Jane Cunningham classified teachers as a bigoted crowd who intimidate and indoctrinate with unilateral points of view. http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Feb/20080212Comm007.asp
• At the 2006 August meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in Grapevine, Texas, Jane criticized the benefit packages for teachers, including their pensions. She led the discussion of the 65 percent proposal which could restrict teacher’s salaries. http://rturner229.blogspot.com/2006/01/attack-on-public-schools-has-begun-in.html
• Jane has called superintendents and athletic directors “Little people who want power” when trying to justify bringing the MSHSAA under State control. HB1232, HB631 http://blogs.columbiatribune.com/education/2008/01/bill_targets_mshsaa.html
• Jane has repeatedly tried to pass legislation which would prevent the courts from mandating the state to fully fund the foundation formula and take away the rights of appeal for thousands of taxpayers and business who have been overcharged on their taxes. HJR31, HJR1, HJR41
• On a lobbying day when legislators make themselves available to constituents, two students were asked to leave Jane’s Office, the Chair of the Education Committee, when they tried to lobby to add sexual orientation to anti-bullying laws to the Safe Schools Act. Jane asked the two students to leave, as she "couldn't look at [them] anymore," because their appearance "offended" her. When asked why the students were told to leave Cunningham said: "I don't see how any human being could look at them for any prolonged period of time without getting physically ill...I thought I would throw-up if I looked at them any longer." Rep. Cunningham immediately locked her door after the second group left and refused to see anymore volunteer lobbyists. Columbia Tribune, April 8, 2008 and Stltoday.com, April 1, 2008
• As Chairwoman of the House Education Committee, Jane was the subject of an Ethics Investigation for a letter she wrote to the GOP caucus, lobbying for reappointment as Chair. She touted that if reappointed she would use her position to raise campaign dollars for fellow Republicans from a school voucher advocacy organization. http://columbiatribune.com/2005/jun/20050607news022.asp The letter can be viewed at http://www.marthaott.com/letter/index.htm
• Jane sponsored legislation that would restrict teacher’s privacy and free-speech rights and ban their private use of professional and social networking websites. HB 1314
• Jane has proposed legislation that allows tenured teachers to be dismissed for supporting a strike. HB1161
• In addition to elected officials, Jane has sponsored legislation that would require appointed School Administrators and Superintendents to file financial interest statements with the Missouri Ethics Commission to determine party affiliation.HB1046
• Jane has repeatedly proposed Open enrollment for Missouri which would cause the collapse of those schools being exited, overpopulate the others and strain their budgets. HB807, HB690, HB2481, HB2482
• Jane has repeatedly proposed legislation which circumvents present teaching standards and certification programs. American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) does not require any coursework or experience in teaching. Under Jane’s legislation, anyone holding a bachelor’s degree and can afford $500 to pass two computer based tests will be qualified to teach in Missouri. HB1649, HB145, HB1057
• “I hit him between the eyes." is how Jane characterized her verbal assault on former Kirkwood High School Principal Franklin McCallie as he testified before her committee. Mr. McCallie testified about student harassment of LGBT students. He said her legislation would make it harder to insure the security and safety of those children. For defending gay students, Jane scorned Principal McCallie by saying “You are not so far from St. Louis that your public involvement the last 15 years working against Christians is not well-known." St. Louis Journalism Review, April 2003
• Jane has repeatedly proposed administrative laden legislation requiring each public institution to report annually to the general assembly detailing twelve required steps the institution is taking to ensure “intellectual diversity”. The bill includes hiring, tenure, and promotion policies for teachers based on their viewpoints. HB213, HB1315
• One of Jane’s largest contributors is Barry Conner from the organization Alliance for the Separation of School and State who is signatory to the declaration “I proclaim publicly that I favor ending government involvement in education.” In one MEC report, his contributions to her amounted for 79% of her entire contributions that quarter. http://www.mec.mo.gov/CampaignFinanceReports
Unfortunately, the height of hypocrisy does not end with anti-education bills being sponsored by the Chair of the Education Committee. In 2005, Jane voted to cut Medicaid to 400,000 children, elderly and disabled and just weeks later rejected a bill that would affect her own insurance by only 20%. On her website, Jane says she will “strengthen penalties against politicians who break state law” yet was the subject of an Ethics Investigation for actions “tantamount to bribery”. The charges stemmed from a letter written by Jane promising substantial contributions to the Republican Caucus from the pro-voucher group All Children Matter in exchange for re-appointment as Chair of Education. Jane also writes on her website that “transparent government is imperative to serving the people” but she sponsored a bill which would make it a crime for the Press to report on any pending ethics complaint against a legislator with a penalty of up to one year imprisonment (HB255). And despite her rhetoric for less government, her bills have consistently called for greater government control and less legal, privacy and civil liberties for our citizens.
Below is the chronological order of legislation sponsored by Jane Cunningham:
HB 906 (‘01) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Creates state income tax credits for cash contributions to educational charities and scholarship charities
HB 1741 (‘02) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Allows state employees who opt out of the state health insurance plan to receive half of the cost of the benefit to pay for coverage elsewhere or as additional salary upon proof of coverage.
HB 1741 (‘02)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane Allows state employees who opt out of the state health insurance plan to receive half of the cost of the benefit to pay for coverage elsewhere or as additional salary upon proof of coverage.
HB 2116 (‘02) --- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits public or private schools from joining or retaining membership in any statewide activities association
HB 1739 (‘02)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Creates a tax credit for contributions to scholarship or educational charities.
HB 1740 (‘02)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises terms of service for members of the governing council of the special school district in St. Louis County.
HB 345 (‘03)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Creates a tax credit for contributions to scholarship charities.
HB 631(‘03) --- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises conditions under which schools may join or retain membership in statewide activities associations.
HB 319(‘03) --- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes requirements for schools participating in activities associations.
HB 370(‘03) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises terms of service for members of the governing council of certain special school districts.
HB 940 (‘04)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises the terms of service for members of the governing council of certain special school districts.
HB 1649 (‘04)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Relates to teacher certification.
HB 1737 (‘04)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Relates to school credit for students transferring into an accredited public school district from an unaccredited public or nonpublic school or a home school.
HB 34 (‘05)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Eliminates the requirement that course materials and instruction on human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases include discussion of contraception methods
HB 105 (‘05)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits public schools from joining statewide activities associations if the association prohibits tuition-paying students from participating on a school team to which the tuition is paid
HB 106 (‘05)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the terms of service for members of the governing council of certain special school districts
HB 145(‘05) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the laws regarding teacher certification
HB 251(‘05) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Provides for loss of tenure and pay for public school teachers that strike
HB 319 (‘05)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes procedures for the evaluation of credits for students transferring into an accredited public school district from an unaccredited public or nonpublic school or a home school
HB 639 (‘05)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes the Betty L. Thompson Scholarship Program and authorizes an individual and business tax credit for contributions to certified nonprofit educational charitable organizations
HB 946 (‘05)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the laws regarding school attire
HJR 31 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Proposes a constitutional amendment restricting state court jurisdiction in the areas of taxing, spending, and budgeting Sponsor:
HJR 32 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Proposes a constitutional amendment specifiying that certain sections of the Missouri Constitution cannot be more restrictive than the First Amendment of the United States Constitution
HB 1522 (‘06)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Allows the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a policy to place additional information such as attendance and class rank on a student's high school diploma
HB 1449 (‘06)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits the state from requiring a substitute or part-time teacher employed within one year of the teacher's retirement to be subject to a background check by a school district
HB 1479 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes the Angell Scholarship Program and authorizes an individual and business tax credit for contributions to certified educational charitable
HB 1195 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits public schools from joining certain statewide activities associations
HB 1075 (‘06)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises the requirements for course materials and instruction in public schools relating to contraception and sexually transmitted diseases Prohibits public schools from joining certain statewide activities associations Students must be informed that personally and medically relevant information concerning contraception, abortion, and pregnancy may be obtained from their family practitioner rather than presenting students with the latest medically factual information regarding side effects,health benefits, and failure rates for methods of prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
HB 1062 (‘06)--- CoSponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Members who have served for eight or more years cannot serve again until at least three other members of the board of education of their school district have served as governing council members or until a total of six years have been served by other members of their board of education. Members in office who no longer qualify must be replaced within 30 days of the effective date of the bill.
HB 1058 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the laws regarding school attire
HB 1059 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes procedures for how school districts evaluate credits of transferring students.
HB 1060 (‘06)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Designates how the boards of school districts, colleges and community colleges take and record votes.
HB 29 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the terms of service for members of the governing council of the St. Louis Special School District
HB 30 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits public schools from joining certain statewide activities associations
HB 33(‘07) --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Requires governing boards at public colleges and universities, community college districts, and school districts to take roll-call votes on school policy matters
HB 35 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Requires school districts to allow parents the opportunity to withhold permission for a child to join school-sponsored clubs or participate in extracurricular activities
HB 38 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Establishes procedures for the evaluation of credits for students transferring into an accredited public school district from an unaccredited public or nonpublic school or home school
HB 417 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Changes the laws regarding teacher certification in finance and establishes guidelines regarding the evaluation of student credentials when transferring into a school district
HB 690 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Allows public school students to choose to attend a public school district other than the school district of his or her residence
HB 807 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Allows public school students to choose to attend a public school district other than the school district of his or her residence
HB 1220 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Requires certificated teachers to submit documentation to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education every five years showing adequate scores on certain assessments
HB 1222 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Prohibits public school teachers from lobbying the General Assembly during their class periods unless they pay the substitute teacher's salary
HB 1223 (‘07)--- Sponsor: Cunningham, Jane
Revises the conditions under which districts may suspend or terminate teacher and administrator contracts in districts that are provisionally accredited or unaccredited
How Jane Became the Wicked Witch
It was Halloween weekend before election 2008, and I was Googling for information about Jane before the election. I read a blog post from someone who lived in the city of St. Louis, and I realized what it truly means for someone to be our "representative" in government. Like it or not, Jane Cunningham represents us politically even if she doesn't represent our values.
I named Jane Cunningham the Wicked Witch of West County to show my sympathy for parents in the city of St. Louis. Jane clearly has a larger purpose in mind. She is nothing if not ambitious. She wants to abolish public education, and she's attempting to get there through a step-by-step process. The first step is school choice, meaning the ability to choose among public schools. The next step is "vouchers", meaning the ability to divert money away from public schools and give it to wealthy people who already send their kids to private schools. The last step is to completely abolish public education and privatize the whole school system.
I have traveled overseas. I have employees who work for me that came to the US from countries like Romania, Mexico, China and India. Public education has existed in this country since 1620 (funded through taxes since about 1850), and it is part of what has made this the greatest country on earth. Let's not let these stupid, wicked people destroy it.
I named Jane Cunningham the Wicked Witch of West County to show my sympathy for parents in the city of St. Louis. Jane clearly has a larger purpose in mind. She is nothing if not ambitious. She wants to abolish public education, and she's attempting to get there through a step-by-step process. The first step is school choice, meaning the ability to choose among public schools. The next step is "vouchers", meaning the ability to divert money away from public schools and give it to wealthy people who already send their kids to private schools. The last step is to completely abolish public education and privatize the whole school system.
I have traveled overseas. I have employees who work for me that came to the US from countries like Romania, Mexico, China and India. Public education has existed in this country since 1620 (funded through taxes since about 1850), and it is part of what has made this the greatest country on earth. Let's not let these stupid, wicked people destroy it.
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