The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the state law banning discrimination against pregnant women does not protect new mothers who take unauthorized breaks to use a breast pump. The article in the Columbus Dispatch can be found at this link: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/08/28/LACTATE.ART_ART_08-28-09_B1_8EET5UK.html
The ruling went against the mother not because of the discrimination aspect of the suit. In fact the Supreme Court carefully went out of its way to avoid this question. Instead, the Supreme Court made the ruling because the young mother was using the breast pump during unauthorized break times.
I would like to hear your comments on this! Please read the article, and any others you find, and then comment!
Wade
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Education has little value...
Once again school is starting for millions of US school-children. The United States public school system has been the target for many criticisms, as well as many accolades. There are school districts where the majority of students graduate, and there are school districts where nearly half the eligible students drop out before receiving a high school diploma. No one argues that a foundation in the basics is essential. There is a boatload of evidence that shows students who learn about and participate in the arts do “better” in school and in their chosen career paths.
Today’s Inviting Conversations question focuses on the chart below. I would like to stay away from discussions on funding. I am unable to speak about other states, but Ohio’s reliance upon property taxes as a major funding source for its schools is an abysmal mess. I would like to stay away from comments on discipline. The countries ahead of us in many cases put the United State to shame in their non-violent approaches to student discipline, and it would be better to not further show how US education is behind the times.
The question is about the importance and value of education. The countries ahead of the United States “seemingly” place education at a higher value than does the United States.
Question: How can parents, educators, civic leaders and others improve US students’ desire to place a high value on education? Education is not valued in our country. How do we fix this?
How do we rate in education:
Area
Rank (out of 41)
Math 28
Reading 18
Science 22
Problem Solving 29
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a three-yearly survey of the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds in the principal industrialized countries. The product of a collaboration between participating governments through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD), it draws on leading international expertise to develop valid comparisons across countries and cultures.
Well over a quarter of a million students in 41 countries took part in a two-hour test in their schools, assessing their skills in mathematics, reading, science and problem solving. All 30 OECD member countries participated, as well as 11 partner countries.
Source:
http://www.putourkidsfirst.com/kidsfirst/education_ratings_US.asp
Today’s Inviting Conversations question focuses on the chart below. I would like to stay away from discussions on funding. I am unable to speak about other states, but Ohio’s reliance upon property taxes as a major funding source for its schools is an abysmal mess. I would like to stay away from comments on discipline. The countries ahead of us in many cases put the United State to shame in their non-violent approaches to student discipline, and it would be better to not further show how US education is behind the times.
The question is about the importance and value of education. The countries ahead of the United States “seemingly” place education at a higher value than does the United States.
Question: How can parents, educators, civic leaders and others improve US students’ desire to place a high value on education? Education is not valued in our country. How do we fix this?
How do we rate in education:
Area
Rank (out of 41)
Math 28
Reading 18
Science 22
Problem Solving 29
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a three-yearly survey of the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds in the principal industrialized countries. The product of a collaboration between participating governments through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD), it draws on leading international expertise to develop valid comparisons across countries and cultures.
Well over a quarter of a million students in 41 countries took part in a two-hour test in their schools, assessing their skills in mathematics, reading, science and problem solving. All 30 OECD member countries participated, as well as 11 partner countries.
Source:
http://www.putourkidsfirst.com/kidsfirst/education_ratings_US.asp
Monday, August 17, 2009
Should Parents Be Legally Liable for Their Children's Actions?
The Inviting Conversations question for Monday, August 17, 2009:
Should Parents Be Legally Liable For Their Children's Actions?
This question comes from the "Spectrum Paralegal & More, LLC August 2009 Newsletter" article entitled, "Are Parents Legally Liable For Their Children's Actions?" by Syd Z. Nohcud. If you would like a pdf version of the newsletter, just email me at wade@invitingconversations.com.
Thanks!
Wade
Should Parents Be Legally Liable For Their Children's Actions?
This question comes from the "Spectrum Paralegal & More, LLC August 2009 Newsletter" article entitled, "Are Parents Legally Liable For Their Children's Actions?" by Syd Z. Nohcud. If you would like a pdf version of the newsletter, just email me at wade@invitingconversations.com.
Thanks!
Wade
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Welcome to Inviting Conversations! Please read for rules and guidelines.
Welcome to the Inviting Conversations blogspot! Beginning on Monday, August 17, 2009, Host Wade K. Meyer, M.Ed. will be posting questions on a regular basis. Please note that the Inviting Conversations blogspot respectfully asks that people responding to the questions follow these simple rules:
(1) No profanity;
(2) No comments that may be considered slanderous, vindictive, illegal or blatantly immoral;
(3) If commenting on another person's response, please keep the comments professional, avoiding comments that are clearly personal.
Please also note that by posting comments you agree that all or part of your comments may be reposted on the Inviting Conversations web site, which is www.invitingconversations.com.
If you have any questions, please email Wade at wade@invitingconversations.com.
Thanks!
The Inviting Conversations Team
(1) No profanity;
(2) No comments that may be considered slanderous, vindictive, illegal or blatantly immoral;
(3) If commenting on another person's response, please keep the comments professional, avoiding comments that are clearly personal.
Please also note that by posting comments you agree that all or part of your comments may be reposted on the Inviting Conversations web site, which is www.invitingconversations.com.
If you have any questions, please email Wade at wade@invitingconversations.com.
Thanks!
The Inviting Conversations Team
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